The Society has done much in exposing and refuting the current slanders in regard to the treatment of prisoners of war. That was most needful for the restoration of good feeling, and should be welcome, beyond the limits of the vindicated, even to all who respect truth and eschew deception.
There are many brilliant exploits, concerning some of which there are no official reports extant. In such cases, the recollection of actors would be a valuable contribution to our war history. You have done so much to excite a willingness to furnish the material for history, that it may be hoped you will be able to draw from those to whom it is rather a dread than a pleasure to see themselves "in print," special statements, such as any one can prepare who can write a business letter. It is not style, but facts which are to be regarded.
With the hope that the interest felt by the public in the patriotic work of the Society will be increased by the manifestation of its power for usefulness, and with cordial regard for you personally,
I am, yours faithfully,
Contributions to Our Archives continue to come in and are always acceptable.
Since our last we acknowledge, among others, the following:
From Yates Snowden, Esq., of Charleston, South Carolina—"Bible View of Slavery, by Rev. M. J. Raphall, M. A., Ph. Dr., Rabbi preacher at the Synagogue, Green Street, New York. Declaration of the causes of the Secession of South Carolina, together with the Ordinance of Secession and its signers. Address of the people of South Carolina to the people of the slave-holding States; printed by order of the Convention in 1860. Fast-day sermon of Rev. James H. Elliott, November 21st, 1860. Report on the address of a portion of the members of the General Assembly of Georgia, 1860. The Battle of Fort Sumter, April 13th, 1861. The correspondence of the Commissioners of South Carolina and the President of the United States, together with the statement of Messrs. Miles and Keitt. Hon. Jere Black on Wilson and Stanton, and Thurlow Weed on Early Incidents of the Rebellion. Journal of the Proceedings of the General Council of the Protestant Episcopal church in the Confederate States of America, held in Augusta, Georgia, November 12-22. 1862. In Memoriam of George Alfred Trenholm. Ninth Annual Report of the "Home" for the Mothers, Widows and Daughters of the Confederate soldiers. Map of Mobile Bay. Map of Charleston Harbor. Mr. Snowden has been a warm friend of the Society, and a frequent contributor to its archives.
From Graves Renfroe, Esq., of Talladega, Alabama—"The Cradle of the Confederacy," or the Times of Troup, Quitman and Yancey, by Joseph Hodgson, of Mobile, Alabama, 1876. Speech of Hon. William L. Yancey, of Alabama, delivered in the National Democratic Convention, Charleston, April 28th, 1860.
From Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, Brownsville, Pennsylvania—Report of Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania for 1863.
From ex-Governor John Letcher—Report of General Charles Dimmock, Chief of Ordnance of Virginia, of February 9th, 1863. Governor Letcher
