Editor, Gazette-Journal:

To even think of moving the Confederate monument is a disgrace to those who gave so much sacrifice to Mathews County. Many gave their lives, their limbs and untold suffering—many unknown never returned. The question of slavery came up, and yes, the war was over slavery, and greed and survival, and it was known as a rich man’s war.

Controversy over slavery had been going on for many years before the war, and there was also controversy over whether slavery should be continued in the newly formed states. And when South Carolina seceded, others followed and soon war followed. Not too long into the war, if you didn’t volunteer, you were drafted. Toward the end of the war, Confederates were desperate for men and, in the last year of the war, the law was passed that slaves had to serve.

Luckily, the slaves didn’t see any battles, or we would be mourning their loved ones at the monument too. The monument is not to make anyone think that it is racist or the Ji...