Rockford's Veterans Memorial Hall-- Part 5: About That Moving Statue

In 1984, the statue was moved to the southwest corner of Greenwood Cemetery at Main and Auburn streets, where it stood atop a column that once was a part of the facade of the Carnegie Library, now being replaced by a new building across Wyman Street from Memorial Hall.

When the new roundabout at Main and Auburn, now called Veterans Memorial Circle, was completed in 2014, the statue was removed, restored and reinstalled on the same column in its present (and hopefully last) location.

--Old Secesh

Rockford's Veterans Memorial Hall-- Part 4: Saved From Wrecking Ball Three Times

Memorial Hall has been saved from the wrecking ball three times and was renovated twice in 1966 and 1998.  To protect its historic value, it was designated an Illinois Landmark in 1974 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

Outside the east entrance of Memorial Hall is a recently renovated space entitles "Armistice: A Memorial to Peace."  Central to this memorial is a replica of a Civil War soldier on a column, affectionately known as "The Boy in Blue."

It was originally a part of a fountain outside the old courthouse on West State Street from 1900 to 1967.

While a new courthouse was being constructed, the statue was put in storage until 1969, then paced inside the front lobby of the new building.

--Old Secesh

Nottaway County (Virginia) Confederate Monument

I figured I'd better wrote about some of these monuments before they're gone.

From HMdb

It is located on the lawn at the Nottaway County  Court House, Virginia.

Erected 1893 by the Ladies Memorial Association, Nottaway.

Inscription:

"Erected by the Ladies Memorial Association of Nottaway July 20, 1893.

"Jeffress Artillery C.S.A., Co. G 18th VA Regt. A.N.V., Nottaway Reserves C.S.A.,  Co. E3 VA Cavalry A.N.V."

"This monument  bears the names of several hundred men from Nottaway County who served in the Confederate Army."

--Old Secesh

The Matthews and Middlesex County (Virginia) Confederate Monuments and Capt. Sally L. Thompkins Marker

From the November 3, 2021, Daily Press (Virginia)  "Virginia counties vote overwhelmingly  to keep Confederate monuments" by Dave Ress.

The Matthews County monument was erected in 1912, after a six-year fund-raising  effort by the Lane-Diggs Camp of the United Confederate Veterans, the Matthews Monument Association and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

There is also a state marker near the statue for Captain Sally  L. Thompkins, CSA 1833-1916. It reads:  

"Sally Thompkins, born at Poplar Grove, 3 miles  south of here, was the only woman granted a commission in the Army  of the Confederacy.  'Captain Sally' founded and directed Robertson Hospital in Richmond, where over 1300 Confederate  soldiers were cared for  between 1861 and 1865.

"Her grave and monument are located  in Christ Church Cemetery on Williams Wharf Road two miles to the south."

Middlesex erected its United Daughters of the Confederacy monument in 1910.  The inscription on it reads:  "To commemorate the valor and patriotism of the men, and the devotion and sacrifice of the women of Middlesex in defense of their liberties and their homes."

--Old Secesh

USCT Monument Proposed for Natchez Memorial Park

From the April 7, 2021, Natchez, Miss.  Democrat by Sabrina Robertson.

It will be placed prominently in the Natchez Memorial Park outside of St. Mary Basilica.  This would honor those who risked their lives by joining the U.S. Army.

The story of Forks of the Road, one of the largest slave markets in the country will also be a part of the monument's design.   Some of the people in the Forks of the Road were about to be sold when they were freed by Union forces.

Parts of the Forks of the Road were used in the construction of Fort McPherson in Natchez.  Some Natchez residents are calling for the removal of the Confederate memorial at the Memorial Park, but it sounds like it will remain as it gives another aspect of Natchez's heritage and past.

I agree whole-heartedly with letting the Confederate monument remain and building the monument to the USCT as more than likely, USCT troops manned Fort McPherson.  However, I would want there to be a separate monument to the Forks in the Road slave market.

I believe history should give all aspects of a group or place.

Natchez has a slave and a Confederate past.  Both should be memorialized.

--Old Secesh

William Loring Monument Removed in St. Augustine By Descendants' Request: First Hurricane Isaias, Now This. A Bad Month for the General.

From the August 24, 2020, News 4 Jax (Jacksonville, Fl.)  "UF  has Confederate statue removed from St. Augustine before dawn" by Zachery Lashway.

St. Augustine, Florida.

The University of Florida had it removed as it is on land leased by them.  The monument stood there since 1920.  His remains are under the monument and will also be removed and re-interred along with his monument on private land with "respect and dignity."

Loring was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, (see the previous blog entry), but grew up in St. Augustine.  According to Wikipedia, he joined the Florida militia as a teenager and fought in the  early skirmishes of the Second Seminole War.

He became a lawyer and served  in the Florida legislature before joining the U.S. Army.  When the Civil War started, he resigned and joined the Confederacy where he rose to the rank of general.  After the war, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate from Florida, then lived in New York until his death.

A Bad Time for William Loring Stuff.   --Old Secesh

John Quincy Adams Ward-- Part 2: Some of His Civil War Statues

These are some of the statues he made regarding Civil War personage:

1869  Seventh New York Regiment Memorial in Central Park, N.Y.

1871  General John F. Reynolds Statue in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

1878  William Gillmore Simms statue in Charleston, S.C.

1879  General George Henry Thomas , Washington, D.C.

1887  James A. Garfield Monument in Washington, D.C.

1891  Henry Ward Beecher Monument in Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, N.Y.

1898  Equestrian statue of Gen. Winfield S. Hancock at the Smith Memorial Arch in Philadelphia, Pa.

1910  Financier August Belmont, Newport, R.I.

1916  Gen. Philip Sheridan statue in Albany, N.Y.  completed posthumously.

--Old Secesh

What They Said About Sheridan's Statue

The 10 Facts article had four comments, so I figured to take a look at them, thinking at least one would want the statue taken down because of what he did to the Indians.

#1.  Sheridan's desk that he used during the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign can be found at North bend, Virginia, which was his headquarters.  Today, it is a B&B

#2.  Take it down.  Participated in the genocide  of Southerners and Native Americans sits on public land."

#3.  Great commander. Too bad people of Albany don't know about their connection with him.

#4.  "The monument should be taken down because it is a symbol of racism, hate, genocide, and crimes against humanity against Native Americans.  It is an embarrassment to the state of New York."

Sounds Familiar.  --Old Secesh

10 Facts About Phil Sheridan-- Part 7: His Statue

In the fall of 1916, the monument, designed by  sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward, and finished by Daniel Chester French, was ready to be installed.

On October 7, there was a parade for the unveiling.  Albany Mayor John Stevens even declared a half-day holiday so people could attend the ceremony.  A big crowd, described as "a mighty throng", turned out for it.

A series of officials and guests of honor made speeches before the statue was unveiled.

Mayor Stevens said:  I do not posses the eloquence to do so, nor is it my function to speak of the great military genius, the great services rendered to the nation by General Sheridan.  This will be dwelt upon by  the eminent speakers whom I shall have the honor to introduce.  My only desire is to express the appreciation of all concerned for this beautiful memorial -- dedicated to the memory  of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, in the city of his birth."

--Old Secesh

10 Facts About Phil Sheridan-- Part 6: His Statue in Albany

10.  THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE IN ALBANY DREW A HUGE CROWD.

Sheridan died in 1888 and three decades later a movement started in New York to erect a statue honoring him.  Apparently Ohio had taken the lead in claiming  the famous general as its own and New York wanted to get in on the action.

New York's governor, Martin Glynn, publicly started off the campaign, and called for the people of Albany  to raise $10,000 for the monument.  If the city accomplished this, he said the legislature to put up $20,000.  Glynn remarked:  State pride and local pride demand that this be done."

--Old Secesh

10 Facts About Phil Sheridan-- Part 1: Born in Albany, New York?

From the October 7, 2016, All Over Albany "10 facts about Philip Sheridan, whose  statue has stood in front of the state Capitol for 100 years."

The statue of a mounted General Philip Sheridan that stands in front of New York's State Capitol  was unveiled 100 years earlier on October 7, 1916.  But, it is felt that most people in Albany couldn't tell you much about the general.

Well, here are ten things:

1.  HE WAS FROM ALBANY-- UNLESS HE WASN'T

He was born in Albany in 1831, the son of Irish immigrants,  on the street that now bears his name.  Back in 1831, it was Fox Street.  His family would move to Ohio not long after his birth and that is where he grew up.

Despite Sheridan's claims that he was born in Albany, there is the possibility he was born in Ireland.  As one version of the story goes, his parents showed up in Albany with a two-week old son.

This question became of particular interest in 1884 when there was talk among Republicans of nominating him for president.

Where Have We Heard That One Before.  --Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston-- Part 4: The Four Young Ladies

The monument was unveiled by four young ladies, all descendants of members of the Confederate Defenders of Fort Sumter:

**  The granddaughter of Colonel Alfred Rhett, the first commanding officer of Fort Sumter.  (Alicia Rhett)

**  The granddaughter of Captain Thomas A. Hueguenin,  the last Confederate commander of Fort Sumter

**  The grandniece of Major Stephen Elliott, the second in command under Colonel Rhett

**  The granddaughter of Major John Johnson, a member of the Confederate Engineers and author of "The Defense of Charleston."

Two ushers placed on the monument the last Confederate flag that flew over Fort Sumter.

"The young ladies," the News & Courier reported, "then placed on the base of the monument  two wreaths of red and white carnations."

--Old Secesh

Col. William Robert Greer-- Part 2

Not only was William Robert Greer one of Fort Sumter's 1863 Defenders, but, he was captured at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865 and held prisoner for the remainder of the war at Elmira, New York.

Of course, anything involving Fort Fisher immediately sparks my interest.

He was a private when captured at Fort Fisher, so the "Colonel' title must have been an honorary one.

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Statue-- Part 3: "In Perpetue With Love and Veneration"

The last living Confederate Defender of Charleston in 1932 (the dedication date), Col. William Robert Greer, attended the ceremony.  He described Fort Sumter's ordeal and praised Andrew B. Murray, the philanthropist who donated $100,000 to the city to fund the monument.

There was never "at any time  and lack of courage,"  Col. Greer said, "but a determination unalterable that this great Gibraltar of Charleston should never be captured or  surrendered.... There were many flags shot down in the fort during the siege...

"But before the force embarked for the city, the commander, the gallant and intrepid  [Thomas A.] Huguenin, removed the standard and consigned it as a scared  relic to the care of the Sumter Guards, where it has been held in perpetue with love and veneration."

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 2: Dedicating the Monument in 1932

The monument is topped by two figures, that of a woman representing Charleston and a young man representing the Confederate defenders.  The young muscular man is wearing nothing but a strategically placed fig leaf.

On October 20, 1932, some 8,000 people gathered for the statue's dedication in White Point Gardens, the Battery, for the Confederate defenders of Fort Sumter.  Many of those present had fathers, uncles and  grandfathers who fought  in what many still called "The Confederate War."

The statue's sculptor, Hermon A. McNeill, said of the monuments:  "The motif in brief, is that of a stalwart youth, standing in front with sword and shield symbolizes by his attitude the defense not only of the fort, but also of the fair city behind the fort in which are his most prized possessions, wife and family.

"And she, the wife,  glorified into an Athena-like woman, unafraid, stands behind him with arms outstretched toward the fort, this creating an inseparable  union of the city and Fort Sumter."

--Old secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 1

In the last post, I mentioned this monument as being one that Alicia Rhett helped dedicate in 1932.

Hopefully, it will be allowed to remain in place with all that is going on with Confederate monuments these days.

From HMdb.

Inscription:  "To the Confederate Defenders of Charleston   Fort Sumter 1861-1865."

Around the bottom of the base:  "Count Them Happy Who For Their Faith And Their Courage Endured A Great Fight."

Erected 1932 by the Fort Sumter Memorial Commission.

It is in Charleston, S.C., in White Point Garden.

The monument was erected  with the major portion of a $100,000 bequest of Andrew Buist Murray.  The artist was Hermon A. MacNeil, 1866-1947, sculptor.  Dawson Engineering Co. set the base.

--Old Secesh

Edmund Moore Rhett-- Part 3: A Du Pont Connection and a Statue in Charleston

**   Edmund's sister Marianna Rhett Du Pont ((1875-1967) married Francis Irenee Du Pont (1873-1942).  He was one of the famous Du Pont family and this is who Edmund was working for when he died in 1918 of the Spanish flu and Wilmington, Delaware.

No doubt his family relationship helped with the job.  Although in the past, only the top West Point graduates got into the Army Corps of Engineers so Edmund must have been very talented.

**  From Ancestry boards.

**  Alicia Rhett

On October 20, 1932, Alicia and three  other young ladies, all descendants of members of the Confederate garrison of Fort Sumter, unveiled the Confederate Defenders of Charleston monument.  (Hopefully it will be allowed to remain.)

In June 2019, this statue was "vandalized." (Hate Crime)   Two people were arrested, one of whom was a white person.

--Old Secesh

Edmund Moore Rhett-- Part 2: St. Philips Episcopal Church, Charleston, S.C.

From Find-A-Grave

Edmund Moore Rhett was buried  at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  There are quite a few famous people buried there.

John C. Calhoun

Christopher Gadsden--  Revolutionary War, state legislator

James Gadsden--  War of 1812, Gadsden Purchase

Charles Pinckney--  Signed U.S. Constitution.  American Revolution  U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.  Laid groundwork for Louisiana Purchase.  Castle Pinckney in  Charleston Harbor named for him.

Thomas Pinckney--  American Revolution, S.C. governor and U.S. statesman.

Alicia Rhett--  Edmund Moore Rhett's daughter.

William Rhett--  Captured the pirate Stede Bonnet.

Edward Rutledge--  Signer of Declaration of Independence and American Revolution

--Old Secesh

Sure Wasn't Expecting to Be "Out West" with This Blog, But, Here I Am: "RoadTrippin' Through History"

Now, this is about mt 17th blog entry dealing with Nebraska and Colorado.  Two months ago, I did not know of any of this and it all started with a move in Nebraska to put up a statue in honor of their 1st Nebraska Infantry Regiment at Fort Donelson.  Before that, I did not even know Nebraska had any regiments during the war.  And, I suppose that since this is not a Confederate statue, certain people will leave it alone.

Both were territories during the war.

You just never know where any of my blogs are headed as I do my research and writing according to road cruising.  I start at a point and just don't know where I am headed with it or how far I'll go with it.   Kind of like going to YouTube to hear a song, and then four hours later, you're still listening to music on that site.

This is something I get from my love of cruising down old roads, especially Route 66, the Lincoln Highway and the Dixie Highway.  You know where you start, but have no idea where you're headed.  I call this "Roadtripping Through History."

It will be interesting to see how far I go with this, or, for that matter, where I go with this.

See You When and Where I Go.  --Old Secesh

Fourteen Medals of Honor Awarded to USCT Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights-- Part 1

From the HMdb "African American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial" in Wilmington, Delaware.

Yesterday, I wrote about a proposed new statue by the Richmond (Virginia) City Council to honor a United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiment that was awarded 14 Medals of Honor during the war.  Unfortunately, the article did not say which regiment it was, so I did some more research on them.  Receiving 14 Medals of Honor for one regiment is certainly a worthy accomplishment.

I found out in this source that they were not all from a single regiment, but did belong to USCT and the 14 Medals awarded were at one battle.

"Fourteen of the following  men received their awards for valor during the Battle of New Market Heights [a.k.a. Chaffin's or (Chapin's) Farm] on September 29, 1864.  With the exception of Sergeant James H. Harris and Sergeant Major Thomas Hawkins, all were awarded their MOH citation  April 6, 1865.

--Old Secesh