The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-07
PEOPLES FORUM
Card From Admiral Wright

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
NThis Is my third visit to Biz
mingham, the other two being in
attendance on the Confederate re-
unions of 1908 and 1916. At the
first l was the orator of the day,
with the Confederate navy for my
theme: at the second | was elected
admiral, u. c. V, for life, after
serving as commander for ten
years, where several duties were
put upon me. among them to lead
in the fight in congress to remove
the stigma of dishonorable dis
missal as it stands against the
names of one hundred and thirty
six of our dead heroes who dared
to resign their commissions in the
United states navy to serve theil
beloved South. Our bill has passed
through the senate, but was de-
feated in the house at the instance
of Secretary DENLY II will be
taken up next December. and it
will be passed, or we will know
the reason why.
But my greatest work is the
rescuing from Oblivion the records
of our sailor dead and place them
alongside those of our dead sol
diers in each state capitol, whose
records are already on file there
Since last January l have visited
the capitals of Virginia. North
Carolina, South Carolina. Ala
hama Florida. Tennessee, Arkan-
sas and Texas, and obtained the
passage of a joint resolution. The
one passed by Alabama and ap-
proved by Governor Brandon Feb
ruary 8 follows, which I respect
fully ask that you publish at the
end of this communication.
I will be at the Tutwiler until
next Wednesday, to give out ques-
tionnaires and to receive contribu-
lions in pursuance of this great
work. A. O. WRIGHT,
Admiral, L. c. V.
Birmingham, Ala, June 5. 1928.
Alabama General LAWS
REGULAR SESSION, 1923.
No. 800 IS. ]. r. CT. Randall
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
Whereas, there were about $500
sailors in the Confederate navy
from the thirteen Confederate
States. averaging 500 from each
state, whose records of enlist
ment service and discharge were
destroyed when Richmond was
evacuated; and,
Whereas, their survivors find it
difficult to secure pensions or gain
admission into the Soldiers home
without such records and,
Whereas, there are to be found
among the families of their de-
scendants valuable papers con-
sisting of official documents, let
tiers and other data that will en-
able those records to be estab-
lished; and,
Whereas. Admiral A. o. Wright
is now in Alabama rescuing such
records, which when recovered are
to be placed in the historic arch
ives of this state, alongside
those of tho Confederate soldiers
on file there;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by
the senate, the house of represent
tatives concurring:
l. That the efforts of Admira.
Wright and his surviving ship
mates of the Confederate navy to
rescue such records be Endorsed
and commended to the considera-
ton and support of the people of
Alabama.
?. Further that the municipal
and patriotic organizations of Ala
bama be requested to- assist
Wright by tag days and other
methods to raise the necessary
fund for that purpose. and in or
der that his work may be thor
ough we request that all county
officials, and all benevolent or
carnations make a full investiga-
ton in their respective localities
to ascertain all that can be
learned whether or-no there ever
lived among them a Confederate
sailor. and if so advise the author
tiles in order that his case may be
investigated and his record estab-
Hshed.
8. Further, that copy of these
resolutions be sent to Admiral
Wright.
Approved February s, 1928.