Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-24

The movement towards erecting monument 70
the Confederate dead of Alexandria city, assumed
| shape at the regular meeting of B. E Lee Camp on
| the following recommendation of the Committee
| to whom the matter was referred.
| ALEXANDRIA, April 10, 1885.
1st Your committee recommend the following:
That theCamp take immediate steps to secure funds
| TO erect monument to the Confederate Dead"
! I'd That permanent committee of five be ap-
pointed by the Camp to be known as the Commit
! tre on Confederate Monument" said committee
to have entire control of said object and to be
powered to appoint sub committees to assist them
in their duties.
I'd. That, when in the judgment of the Camp a
sufficient amount of money is occurred, the Camp
vii! decide the design of tho monument to be
erected.
T. Signed. W. A. sM0oT,
EDGAR WAKEFIELD,
joan 3. ZIMMERMAN,
E. NJ LATHAM
The report was unanimously adopted and the
following committee Vas appointed w. A. Smoot
Edgar Warfield, John 2. Zimmerman, R. M.
Latham, Thoo. Chase
stems were at once taken to raise funds. and the
ladies of Aie1andIia promptly came to the aid OF
Lee Camp A bazaar was held, lectures given, and
money generously donated, and through the ef-
forts of the Camp and the ladies the necessary
amount Of money was secured.
At the meeting of the Camp, September last, the
committee made report recommending for aoop.
Richmond Vs., at cost of So, 500. The report
was unanimously adopted.
The main feature OF the monument is an heroic
sizad figure in bronze taken from Mr.. Elders we'll
known painting "Appomattox,' now the property
of ,be State OF Virginia. 1t represents a CoHfed-
crate soldier as if viewing the field of strife after
the surrender. He stands dressed in the Old
familiar uniform Of tho Confederate private, Win
folded arms, aud head bowed forward as lin deep
contemplation over the scenes, prlvstlon and hara
fought battles through which he had passed, ali
for q principle which he deemed sacred and right
aons and vet all apparently for naught. The idea
is striking one aud st once impresses every be-
holder as most ftly and feelingly telling at a
plsnce the whole story of tho gallantry glory ana
heroism of the South, 1t is, In word the coinpeee
history.of the lost cause graphicaily ple'en'u "
| posterity by single figure.
The statute is erected upon an appropriate
| pedestal and the entire monument is rectangular
nyrsmid twenty feetin height. the pedestal Twelve
feet and the figure proper eight feet.
1t stsuds not only beautiful Work oil ART, OUT
an educator of future generations in the history o!
the struggle made by the South for her rights sno
! independence.
The design, though not universally approved. is
thought by many to be most appropriate. The
! statute was executed by Mr.. Casper Buberl, oil
| New York and Gen. Jackson, of Georgia. to whom
a photograph of the figure was sent, wrote: 1t IS
the most perfect Improvisation by art of the spirit
of the Confederate cause that l have ever SEEM
OF it the Richmond State says "A statute IN
! bronze of the Confederate soldiers statue o.
heroic sze-not the soldier who led brigsdes and
divisions aud corps, and whose reward has beer
the glory of renowD but the private soldier whost
name is unknown, whose simple headstone is un
marked, but who in his sphere performed his task
with all his strength and filled the measure OF hi
duty as full as the greater measure of any general
II ia ft that he who drew down the curtains o.
his studio and laid aside palette and brush to fa
into ranks with musket in hand and to forget the
dreams of art in the stern realities of war should
with his skillful touch, guided by the power O
sympathy and devotion, mould likeness OF thu
of the brave in unnamed mounds"