Lowndes County Confederate Monument, (sculpture).

Lowndes County Confederate Monument, (sculpture).

McGahey, T. A., assistant.

Columbus Marble Works, fabricator.

Lowndes County Confederate Monument, (sculpture).

1912. Dedicated Aug. 9, 1912. Removed May 23, 2021. Relocated June 2022.

Digital Reference:

Monument and structure: white marble on light grey marble; Soldier: marble.

Sculpture: approx. 28 x 8 x 6 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. 30 in. x 16 ft. x 12 ft.

(On front, southwest face of central part of monument:) OUR HEROES/THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED/IN HONOR OF THE SOLDIERS/OF LOWNDES COUNTY;/WHO NOBLY DARED LIFE AND/FORTUNE IN DEFENSE OF THE/SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY. (On back, northwest face of central part of monument:) A TRIBUTE OF LOVE TO OUR/HONORED DEAD;WHOSE MEMORY,/WE ENSHRINE IN OUR HEARTS,/WHOSE PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT./THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS./STEPHEN D. LEE CHAPTER, NO. 34, U.D.C. 1912. (On front, under dome:) C. S. A. (On pedestal, proper right:) 1861 (On pedestal, proper left:) 1865 unsigned

A monument with a central structure in the form of a classical "temple" with a dome and cornice supported by four columns. The columns rest on a rectangular pedestal which rests on three steps. The monument includes three separate soldier statues, one atop the dome, and one on either side of the domed structure. The soldiers all wear uniforms which include brimmed hats. The figure atop the dome holds a partially furled flag in both hands as the flag blows around him. He wears buckled leggings and is braced by a tree stump which reaches to mid-thigh. He is youthful and clean-shaven.

Soldier on base at proper right is clean-shaven, has his proper right hand on the rifle barrel, with gun butt resting on ground in front of his proper right leg. His proper left hand is on his canteen that hangs from his belt. A rolled blanket is over his right shoulder. His pants are tucked into his socks and his left shoe is untied. The soldier on the proper left has a moustache. Both hands are on a rifle barrel - rifle butt rests on ground parallel to left foot. Rolled blanket is over his left shoulder. A canteen and bayonet scabbard hang from his belt. His pants cover the tops of his shoes.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Object -- Other -- Flag

Figure group -- Male

Outdoor Sculpture -- Mississippi -- Columbus

Administered by Lowndes County, Board of Supervisors, 505 Second Avenue North, Columbus, Mississippi 39701

Located Friendship Cemetery, South 15th Avenue & 4th St South, Columbus, Mississippi 39701

Formerly located Lowndes County Courthouse, Fifth Street South (Highway 45 North) & Second Avenue North, Columbus, Mississippi 39701 1912-May 23, 2021.

The monument cost $4,500 and was funded by public subscription, with fundraising led by the Stephen D. Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Columbus Marble Works made the monument under the supervision of T. A. McGahey. The soldiers were imported from Italy. For related articles see Widener, Ralph W., Jr., "Confederate Monuments: Enduring Symbols of the South and the War Between the States," Washington, DC: Andromeda Associates, 1982, pg. 113; Commercial Dispatch (Columbus, MS), Aug. 11, 1912, pg. 1 and Jan. 14, 1979.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Mississippi survey, 1992.

Widener, Ralph W., Jr., "Confederate Monuments: Enduring Symbols of the South and the War Between the States," Washington, DC: Andromeda Associates, 1982, pg. 113.

Commercial Dispatch (Columbus, MS), Aug. 11, 1912, pg. 1.

Commercial Dispatch (Columbus, MS), Jan. 14, 1979.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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