Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-21
THE COUNTRY HOME
BY MRS. w. H FELTON,

western divisions of the entire Confederate
army. Every one is dead at this writing, and
the fact remains that it would be equivalent
to crime to make efforts to decry their
prominence, and equally crime to install
other generals in their places as the recog-
nzed military leaders of the Confederate gov
eminent at this late day.
1.-The Lost Cause" book was brought to my
own home in the year 1856. The price was
$500. Because we were already discovering
the effort to pull down some and elevate oth-
ers who were not grouped in these recognized
pictures of the military cheftains of the Con-
federate army, paid the five dollars for this
book ffty-seVen years ago. 1t is WeH pre-
served The author, Pollard, and John M.
Daniel, co-editor, considered the hnest
editorial writer's of that era in the southern
states. Henry Watterson was their rival In
the western states.
! lived through stirring times. L nave d1s-
tinct recollection of what was said and WRIT"
ten; am also an eyewitness OF what saw ana
suffered 1t Is possible that these editors had
their favortes in the cabinet and in the field.
1t is well known that Mr.. Pollard was not in
sympathy with either the president or vice
president of the Confederacy. The Examiner
was radical as to secession and disagreed with
Vice President Stephens because of his Union
ism. 1t was opposed to Jefferson Davis be-
cause his "cabal'-which meant his friends
like Senator B. H. Hill, of Georgia, and his
dislike of Governor Joseph E. Brown and 9TH
in Georgia--but he could not dare to mis-
place in his Lost Cause" military chieftains
of General Lees Army of Virginia or General
Braggs army around Chattanooga.
There has been revival of interest in Con-
federate history during the last few years.
Leaving out entirely the propriety of fighting
the Civil war over again in public speeches
and various reunions, the question of depict
ing the mounted men following General Rob-
ert e. Lee on the steep side of Stone Noun
tain should not be decided in haste or with
the smallest faint of undue favoritism for
some and the rejection of others by small
committee of men, not one of whom rode
down the line with Lee and Joseph E. john
ston when brave soldiers advanced to their
death under those well-knOwn commanders.
Nothing can more quickly discredit the entire
undertaking than exhibit of partisanship,
or the purchase of bronze inscriptions by peo-
pie of large wealth.. This responsibility is a
most delicate affair. Much inquiry and dis
cussion is already stirred into existence re-
garding the oversight of Brigadier General
Francis S. Barlow, who was killed outright
in the very first big battle Of the Civil war.
Can 1 ever forget the night when the wires
brought the news that Barlow, of Georgia,
and Bee, of South Carolina, were killed Ia
the first Manassas battle?
We had soldier of the Mexican war in
north Georgia who was well equipped to de
rect this Civil war business in Virginia, name
ly, William t. Woford. He went through the
entire four years. was promoted to high rank,
second under General Lee in Virginia and
later in Georgia, after Sherman had made his
way to the sea- He commanded many troops.
He should be remembered with something
more than bronze tablet, along with the
hundreds of names paid for by wealthy rela-
tives who can easily spare the money, but
which the soldiers who followed Bee. Barlow
and Wofford never knew anything about, in
war or peace, sixty years ago. i8
Let us study plain southern history and get
down to the real crux of the effort to me-
morialiZe the gallant men of the sos. t5.
And shall the humble private have no part
or parcel in the Qualification OF only six hand
picked cavalrymen for each Confederate
State? oHe
l know of men of high standing, good fanf-
lily, good fortune and tirst-class citizens who
never cared to be more than privates and who
could easily discount many pretentious names
by an exhibit of their real worth and patriot
ism. This Lost Cause volume is worth the
reading. as a witness as to Who's Who Id
Valor and patriotism, when the war ended