Letters to the Editor - August 13, 2008

From staff reports

Published: August 13, 2008

Respect the past
In proportion to its population, no county in Virginia furnished more men to defend its sovereignty in the War Between the States then Amherst County.
The citizens began to enlist at the governor’s first call for troops, and in the last year of the war, old men left their homes and farms and mere lads laid down their books and left their schools to swell the ranks of the Confederate army.
It’s first duty was the defense of the Commonwealth of Virginia against an invading Northern army. These soldiers, facing overwhelming odds and many adversities, left their homes and firesides to fight a brave fight. These men were soldiers of Amherst County, the Commonwealth of Virginia and ultimately soldiers in the Confederate army.
When Charles L Vail Jr. designed the seal that would represent Amherst County, a Confederate shield was placed in the center to represent the soldiers of Amherst County who fought in the War Between the States. There was also a United States shield in the center to represent the United States government and its soldiers.
A few years back, Amherst County government officials met in a quiet session and voted to remove the Confederate emblem for the county seal. I am not a resident of Amherst County but my great-great grandfather, Moses Wright, fought in the 19th Virginia Infantry Company. I’m from Amherst County. My great-great grandfather fought and was held as a prisoner in a Yankee prison camp as well as suffering gunshot wound, which left him partially disabled for the rest of his life. These supervisors have offended me by trying to disrespect my ancestor’s service by eliminating the emblem and flag that he sacrificed so much for.
I ask that you do the right thing and place the Confederate shield back where it belongs.
David W. Ponton
Massies Mill