Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-22

NO. 21.
which, for the want of space, we are compelled
to omit.
.rsr UNWILLING THE MONUMENT.
At the proper point in Gen. Preston's ora
tion the committee Of gentlemen above men
toned came forward, and through an avenue
through the crowd led the four young ladies
previously mentioned to the monument, eacn
one of whom was stationed at one OF the cor
ners and held one Of the ropes attached TO the
covering in her dainty little hand. at given
signal from Mr.. Walton, who superintendea
the unveiling, the ropes were drawn, alid, as
if by magic, the covering foated to the ground,
and the monument stood forth in all its beau
The clouds, which had up to this moment
lowered in dark and threatening masses over
the scene, rolled aside, and the bright rays OF
the sun shone down in splend0r upon the
proudly-erect head. and noble features OF the
soldier-statue which crowns the monument.
As the light streamed down upon the scene
the eyes of the heroic symbol seemed bent TO.
wards that Heaven where rests the souls OF
the departed heroes Of the Lost Cause, and
from the vast concourse Of people arose cheer
after cheer, which resounded through the
Capitol. and subsided only to be renewed
again as one of the citizen soldiery mounted
ladder and placed a victor's wreath upon the
statues brow, The scene at this stage OF the
ceremonies will never be forgotten by any who
were present. &. ,.,.3-
AS soon as silence could be restored, Gen.
Preston resumed his Grafton. The concluding
words of the orator were heard with that deep
silence which speaks louder than words, and
showed how he had touched the tender chord
of memory in every breast.
Gov. Simpson then introduced the Rev.
VIM. Martin, who delivered the dedicating
prayer and pronounced the benediction.
- a57' THE SALUTE OF THE DAY.
The ceremonies having been concluded the
Washington ARTILLERY fred the salute OF the
day with their full battery which they brought
up with them from Charleston. Eleven guns
were fired in quick succession from the central
drive in the capital square where the battery
was stationed. The, immense multitude,
which could not have numbered less than To-
000 persons, then began to move towards the
centre Of the city, and as the sun sank beneath
the western horizon, the magnificent monu,
'ment, erected by Carolina's noble daughters to
Carolina's heroic dead, was left to the silent
watches of thestars. : &. y:'.ts
DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT. la
The monument is 40 feet IN height from the
base to the top of the surmounting figure, and
Is composed Of South Carolina granite and
Italian marble, The form Of the base is OBJ
long, IL, feet in length and 8 feet in width.
The pedestal, as it may be called, is composed
Of two steps, each is inches wide tread,)
by 8 inches high (s'rise.'') The body Of this
pedestal is of layers Of granite, grooved at the
joints, upon the top Of which is heavily
moulded cap bevelled on the top to receive the
marble. The entire pedestal, including the
steps, is what is technically known as Zine,
hammered dressed, !" an expression used IN
contradistinction to spolished, y and presents
a general, indefinable but forcible impression
Of completeness. The marble portion OF the
monument is composed of two bases, and 9
die block for inscriptions, with massive cap,
Upon which rests q heavy plinth that supports
the square shaft, which is three feet square at
the base, by two feet six inches at the top.
Upon this is placed a heavy projecting cap,
richly moulded. and prepared on the upper
surface to.receive the base Of the statue.
s'at@ THE STATUE
itself is seven feet three inches high, and is Q
life-like representation Of q Confederate In
fantry soldier ON guard. He holds his musket
with fixed bayonet at s'rest, - his left hand
grasping the, stock, and his right resting on
the muzzle. The dress Of the soldier is theor-
dinary uniform Of the Confederate private at
the beginning Of the war, the military CLOAK
lightly thrown over the shoulders, denoting
that the ideal is that of picket sin for"'a
rope, and rests on the left hip, and the ordina-
ry belt with bayonet scabbard and cartridge
box is clasped about his waist, according to
regulations. On the band of his hat, which Is
of the familiar felt variety, turned up at one
side, and on the clasp Of the belt, are the let
ters, C.S. A. once so familiar, and now 30
proudly, sadly and tenderly remembered. The
pOise Of the figure is easy and graceful, De.
noting much latent vigor. The most striking
characteristic Of the statue is the expression
given the face, every feature OF which denotes
the possession of full, manly strength, The
eye has that look of determination that seems
to say ssthe cause / defend is 3 just one, and
my soul is enlisted, in it," It has been pro-
and faithful representation Of all that the
word sssoldier" can express.
sli-;t,ttiia} z ON THE FRONT
of the shaft is a beautifully executed palmetto
tree rising from the base, and terminating in
the delicate and graceful foliage peculiar to
that plant. At each Of the sides OF. the dye
block are finely executed emblems Of artillery
and naval branches Of the service, the former
composed of broken gun carriage wheel,
chain shot, and sabres, and partially worn
gun. The grouping Of these emblems Is ex-
ceedinglYs tasteful On the opposite side are
the emblems representing the navy, which are
composed Of an anchor, m0rtor, shel, q stand
of lc0lors, and q coil OF rope, together with
chain shot, the links OF the chain being SO
faithfully executed that they deceive beholders
into belief in their reality. AS Will be seen
from the above, the three branches -infantry,
artillery and navy are represented. sy3a@
..,s,s M baga3i7 >. THE SITE l}{s; ID III trss.
of the monument is near the eastern end OF
the State House, about sixty feet from the
front wall Of the building. The entire struc-
ture fronts to the north, the soldiers face
being in that direction. The naval emblems
are on the east side, and those Of the artillery
on the west - 4''t ssi -, -
#aH 4 THE INSCRIPTION "a .h!49S
This Monument
Perpetuates the Memory
- za4} ~ OF those who, ~ ~ N5e
True to the instincts Of their birth, a,
" Faithful to the teachings Of their fathers,
,.iI Constant In their love for the State, S@
Died in the performance OF their duty;
gas aaat Have gloriasd g hanen cause Faas
By the simple manhood Of their lives
The patient endurance OF suffering,
tisr.3 3a.} And theheroism of death,
And who s.r -s-
+" H. In the dark hours Of imprisonment.
"a In the hopelessness Of the hospital
In the short sharp agony Of the field,
H Found support and consolation
.aeg In the belief
That at home they would not be forgotten.
~ -A'. Let the stranger
Who may in future times
Read this inscription,