Year: 1866

The Winchester Times publishes the fol.
lowing letter addressed to lady of that
place:


TORONTO, G. W., Sept. az, 1866.
DEAR MADAMI-A letter from a gallant
and esteemed young friend who fought in
all the battles around Winchester, informs
me that some time in the ensuing month
there will be q dedication OF the Cemetery
which has been set apart under the auspices
OF the ladies of that town and its vicinity
for the Confederate dead, who in the low
er Shenandoah Valley. In the distant city
OF Mexico, l read the account of the steps
inaugurated by the ladies Of Winchester for
collecting the remains and marking the
graves OF the brave men who lost their lives
in defence Of their country in and around
the latter place, and it is impossible for me
to give expression to the emotions Of graft
tude and admiration excited in my bosom
on reading that account. knew that many
OF those whose remains were to be thus cared
for, fell fighting under my command-among
them being number of valued personal
friends-and this sad and touching tribute
to their memories affected me very deeply
Since then have anxiously desired an op-
portunity to convey to the noble women Of
Winchester and the lower Valley of the
Shenandoah, the expressions Of my heart
felt thanks, not only for their care for the
remains Of the dead, but for their devoted
kindness and attention to the sick and woun.
ded of my command, and I now beg to do
so through you. fully appreciate the self
sacrificing virtues displayed by all my coun-
trywomen during the war, but there are Pc
culiar reasons why should entertain senti-
nents Of the warmest admiration for and
gratitude to the ladies of Winchester. II
was the fortune of the troops under my
command to relieve that place from the pre-
sence of the enemy three times during the
war, and had abundant opportunities Of
ascertaining as well the heroic fortitude
with which the ladies endured all the hor-
rors of its occupation by our cruel and vim
dictive foes, as the unwavering fidelity to our
cause which they maintained under circum
stances of unusual temptation to succumb
| was also fully apprised of the care taken
by them to honor our dead and provide fol
our wounded, not only when we were sue.
cessful, but also when reverseS compelled US
to leave them in the hands of the enemy.


When many OF my countrymen in igno-
rance of the great disadvantagesunder which
labored at the time of my reverses, judged
me harshly, it was from lady of Winches
ter that received message, sent through
the lines Of the enemy, that, whatever 9TH
ers might do, tie ladies of that place, who
knew the tremendous odds with which had
70 contend, attached no blame to me. 1t j!
not to be wondered, therefore, that feel SC
deeply towards them. God knows how wei
love my native State, and all her unfortu
nate sisters of the South, and how cheerful
ly my life was risked and would now b.
yielded in their defence; but, to ali of us
there are some spots peculiarly sacred
With me, the first among these is the place
where | was born and where now repose tn,
remains of my mother; the next is Win
chester, the plains around which were wa
tered by the blood of so many of my brave
comrades, and where now SO many true wo
men weep over the graves of the fallen. |
is sad, sad indeed to be an exile from m,
country, and still sadder to mourn the los
of the most just and sacred cause for whicl
man ever fought; but there is comfort il
knowing that the struggle which DEVELOPS
so much heroism on the part of our soldiers
and SO may virtues in our women had no
been all in vain; and wherever may wan
der | viii bear with me the proud consola
ton derived from the knowledge that m,
countrywomen, who were so faithful ant
devot, during all the trials and vicissi
tudes of our dreadful contest for indepen
dence, now that it has gone against u.s. re
main true to the memories of the dead
Power and money may procure costly mon
uments and testimonials to commemorat
the names of those who fought for the sue
cessful party, but all the power and wealtl
of the world cannot command so rich trib
ute as that paid to the memories Of the he
roic dead of the Confederate armies by tn,
tears of the women of the South.


] beg that you will communicate this ex
preston of my feelings to the ladies of Win
chester and the lower Valley, and may tn
choicest blessings of Heaven rest on yo'
and them.


Very truly and respectfully,


Your obedient servant,


'JUBAL A. EARLY.