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