Confederate Memorial, (sculpture).

Confederate Memorial, (sculpture).

Paul, George, designer.

Donald, Peter, contractor.

Confederate Memorial, (sculpture).

Virtus Veritas, (sculpture).

1903. Dedicated Sept. 2, 1903.

Digital Reference:

Figure: bronze; Base: Chesterfield granite, carved.

Figure: approx. H. 6 ft.; Base: approx. H. 23 ft.

(On front of plinth, raised:) VIRTUS (On rear of plinth:) Veritas (On lower front of base, incised:) 1861/IN MEMORY OF THE/CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS OF/CHESTERFIELD AND MANCHESTER/1865 (On lower rear of base, incised:) DULCE ET DECORUM EST/PRO PATRIA MORI unsigned

A Confederate soldier in uniform stands at parade rest. Both hands hold the barrel of his rifle, the butt of which rests by his feet. The soldier wears a brimmed hat and a ribbon, and has an ammo pouch slung over his shoulder. He stands on an inscribed plinth, which is mounted on top of a tall, multitiered, shaft-like base with inscriptions. Four short rectangular stone mounuments surround the monument at each corner.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Virginia -- Chesterfield

Administered by Chesterfield County Historical Society, P. O. Box 40, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832

Located Chesterfield Courthouse, Grounds, Chesterfield, Virginia

The Chesterfield Confederate Monument Association was organized for the creation of the monument, with the funding coming from subscription. George Paul designed the monument, and Peter Donald, proprietor of the quarries at Granite, served as contractor. Before Donald had proceeded very far with his work, he became dissatisfied with the granite furnished him, which was unused granite from the walls of the old jail. At a nominal price, he furnished fresh granite from his quarries, out of which the visible portion of the monument was built. After the monument was initially finished, there was dissatisfaction with the appearance of the figure and it was raised about fifteen inches and a carved, inscribed plinth inserted under it. Of the Latin inscriptions on the plinth, "Virtus" stands for heroic manhood, and "Veritas" for truth. The Latin inscription on the rear of the base is translated as "It is sweet and honorable to die for one's country." IAS files contain related articles from The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA), Aug. 30, 1903 and Sept. 3, 1903, pg. 1-2. The latter article discusses the dedication ceremony.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Virginia survey, 1995.

The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA), Sept. 3, 1903, pg. 2.

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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