Monroe County Confederate Soldier, (sculpture).

Monroe County Confederate Soldier, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

Dixon, Andy, fabricator.

Hinton Marble Works, contractor.

Monroe County Confederate Soldier, (sculpture).

Confederate Monument, (sculpture).

Cornerstone laid: Sept. 6, 1900. Statue: dedicated Sept. 5, 1901.

Figure: marble; Base: Barre granite and native blue limestone.

Figure: approx. 6 ft. x 1 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. 12 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. 3 in. (40,000 lbs.)

(On south side of base: General Robert E. Lee's farewell address to the armies:) "There is a true glory and a true honor. The/glory of duty done, the honor of integrity/of principle."/R. E. Lee/CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS/OF/MONROE COUNTY. (Base, east:) Monroe Lodge/No. 77/A.F. & A.M./Sep 6 A.D. 1900

A soldier facing south towards the town of Union. He holds a gun in front, clasping the barrel in both hands, while the butt of the gun rests on the plinth. He wears a military uniform which includes a rimmed hat with a round top, pants, and a buttoned coat with a stand-up collar. Across his chest and over his left shoulder is a leather strap with a pouch hanging from it and a buckle with the letters C.S.A. on it. A rounded object hangs from his belt on his right side and a bayonet hangs from his belt on his left side. The end of the bayonet touches a branch of the tree stump which supports the soldier's proper right leg.

The granite base is detailed, with rounded columns on each corner. At the bottom of the granite base on the east side is a relief of two crossed horizontal swords. On the opposite side of the base are two crossed cannons.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Figure male -- Full length

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Outdoor Sculpture -- West Virginia -- Union

Administered by Monroe County Historical Society, P. O. Box 465, Union, West Virginia 24983

Located Highway 219, Union, West Virginia 24983

The idea for the monument originated with General John Echols in 1894, who contributed partial funds towards its erection. The statue was carved in Italy; the base constructed by Andy Dixon (Union resident). The land was donated by Mrs. E. F., Bingham and her two children. The memorial commemorates the 13 companies that were organized from the county to fight in the Civil War. The mememorial was erected outside the town limits, because the citizens expected the town to grow (which it has not). Over 12,000 attended the dedication ceremony.

IAS files contain related articles from Monroe Watchman (Monroe County, WV) Aug. 29, 1901, and Charleston Gazette (Charleston, WV), June 29, 1979. IAS files also include related 1982 commemorative brochure.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, West Virginia survey, 1992.

Monroe Watchman (Monroe County, WV), Aug. 29, 1901.

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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