The Daily Dispatch: October 15, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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The Rockbridge monument.

The correspondence given below will be read with interest and pleasure by our citizens. It will be remembered that on the 6th of last month, the Ladies Soldiers' Aid Society for the Natural Bridge District, passed a series of resolutions recommending and devising means for the erection of a monument in honor of their county men killed at Manassas. Among them was one ‘"requesting Gov. Letcher to procure of the Government of the Confederate States such trophies from the field of Manassas as would be appropriate ornaments or appendages of the monument."’ The Governor promptly addressed the President on the subject, and the President as promptly replied, through the Secretary of War, expressing warm sympathy with the movement, and cheerfully acceding to the wishes of our patriotic ladies.

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Richmond, Va., Sept. 24, 1861.
Dear Sir:

--I received by the last mail the enclosed proceedings of the Ladies Soldiers' Aid Society for the Natural Bridge District, in the county of Rockbridge, which I have the honor of enclosing to you.

The end they desire to effect is most praise worthy, and deserves encouragement.

I am particularly interested in securing the object they have in view, as those referred to, who fell at Manassas, were personally known to me. The prompt manner in which they responded to the call of their country, their gallant bearing on the battle-field, where they fell in the struggle for the independence of the South, give honorable evidence of their sincere devotion to a glorious cause. The memories of such men deserve to be perpetuated.

I invite your Excellency's attention particularly to the sixth resolution, well assured that a soldier's heart will know how to respond to such an appeal from the ladies of a county whose devotion to the Southern cause is as firm and enduring as the arch of that great bridge from which the county derives its name. I am truly,

John Letcher.
His Excellency President Daris.

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War Department, C. S. A.

--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24th inst., enclosing a copy of the resolutions of the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of the Natural Bridge District, in the county of Rockbridge, Va., which has been referred by the President to this Department.

The President sincerely sympathizes with the noble sentiments so eloquently expressed in those resolutions, and commends the patriotic object of that Society as worthy of all admiration. The people to whom it is particularly addressed will, I doubt not, generously and promptly respond to this appeal in behalf of their fellow-brothers, and any objects in the possession of the Government, which may be indicated by your Excellency, in pursuance of the 6th resolution referred to, as appropriate trophies for dedication to such a monument, will be cheerfully placed at your disposal for this purpose. It is right that the monuments of those who have fallen in the battles of their country should share the trophies of victory which their valor helped to win, and the Government is happy thus, at the suggestion of your Excellency, to embalm its gratitude to those honored dead, whose monuments, like their lives, will belong to the glory of their country.