The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-14
pie that the Galveston Houston differen-
tial is maintained
FROM TUESDAYS DAILY.
THE MONUMENT.
A Description of the Confederate Monu
ment to Be Erected.

A Description of the Confederate Monu-
ment to Be Erected.
To the Statesman:
The following is a reply to the COM
muncation in The Statesman of the
18th January, 1897 relative to the
monument to the confederate dead to be
erected in front of the capitol in Austin,
Texas:
LOCATION.
Authorized by an act of the Twenty
fourth legislature committee of the
John B. Hood Camp Confederate Veter-
ans in conjunction with John Il. Mob
ley, superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, selected for the monument
to the confederate dead a site in front
of the entrance to the capitol grounds,
so that the center of the site of twenty
four feet in a square be the intersection
of the centerline of Congress avenue
feet taken from the capitol ground and
the same quantity from Eleventh street,
which latter parcel was donated by the
city of Austin.
The prominency of the location makes
it an absolute necessity for the monu-
ment to be of first-class artistic concep-
ton and execution, not only not interior
ing with the view of the capitol. but to
add to its appearance, and that it be
an ornament alike to the capitol and the
city, creditable to the state at large and
in all respects worthy as a memorial of
our heroic dead.
CONCEPTION.
Monuments may represent their object
by allegory or by ideality, giving the
artist an unreasonable field for magma
| ,N1o n,n hn nhSnr
yer under the necessity to look around
for an explanation. 1t is therefore pre-
ferred that the monument to the con-
| federate dead shill represent Vitality, to be
readily understood by any observer. 1t
has been agreed that the monument shall
be in memory to the confederate. dead
without distinction of rank, precluding
the representation of any distinguished
parsonage, and suggesting a reference to
the period of the war; this can be done
by inscribing in a suitable manner the
engagements in chronological order
whereby any observers mind will be
| turned at once to that memorable event,
the war between the states; the magni-
| tude of which will be impressed upon him
by the list of battles as they follow one
another from day to day and from month
| to month. The records show, not count
ing minor affairs, that there were 1852
general engagements in which at least
| one regiment was engaged. The size of
the monument will not admit of more
than about one-siXth that number to be
inscribed. A selection of about that
many, however, will suffice as memorial
10 our dead of the men who offered their
life to the cause not alone on the battle
6elds named. but during the whole war
in any engagement, large or small.
1t does not appear sufficient however,
to represent the war by tabular state
ments of battles alone. but that the
actual carnage. destruction, the horrors
of war be brought to mind by illustra-
ton, hence the representation by picture
| and statues of scenes suggests itself; and
| it was agreed to arrange four side groups
and one center group artistlcally design.
| ed. Such scenes as are characteristic.
but more picturc-like than statuary will
permit, to be represented by bas-relief.
DESIGN.
| Gray granite and bronze are selected
as material. Owing to the situation at
the head of Congress avenue, where on
certain occasions. professions, etc, as
semblance of sghtseers congregate it was
adopted that the substructure shall be
arranged not to admit of persons stand
ing or sitting on any part thereof, or
climbing thereon; for such purpose a
height of about I feet was given for the
base A resembling center gives four pro-
jecting corners, around which the bronze
tablets are arranged for the list of bat
ties, commencing with Sumpter :. c.,
April II. 1861, and ending with Palmetto
| Ranch, Texas, May 13. 1860. The cen
ter in the same elevation with tablets
contain bas-reliefs and ornamental mat
ter. The statue on the center stands on
| a base sufficiently elevated above the
statues on the corners; the height of the
center statue limited so that the ex-
preston in faces will be plainly visible
| to an observer standing on the ground.
! The bronze statuary and bas-reliefs are
| described in the main as follows their
| artistical details to- be executed by ar
| fists of experience and reputation. sub
| ject to the approval of the board in
| charge
Upon one corner a group representing
standard bearer falling. still reaching
his hand out towards the flag. which a
| tomrade is grasping, and stepping over
| The body of the fallen. is marching to the
contest.
Upon one corner cavalry be presented.
a wounded resting or leaning upon a sad
die. while a comrade stands over him
with pistol in hand. leveled. as in defense
Upon one corner artillery. showing de-
structon and death. broken carriage
broken wheel. a wounded leaning against
the fragments. attended by comradc with
bandage or otherwise.
The fourth corner to serve as an illus
tration of the faithful servant. showing
a negro leading, supporting or more or
less carrying wounded from the field.
Negro bareheadcd. excited expression in
face. etc.
These four groups. as first condition.
represent carriage, death, destruction in
cident to war, the bravery follows nee
essariy as Il consequence of the first
For the artist it is to conceive and TO
represent the groups as described.
The four groups occupying the four
corners of the monument, are surmounted
by center group representing the Lost
Cause soldier returning home. carry
ing a staff instead of gun. having lost
an arm. as shown by empty sleeve. with
a face expressing feelings of sadness and
sorrow. though determined. received by
a woman (his Wife, grasping his hand
and knees. in tears. face expression of
regret and joy. This group to be mas
terpiecp; faces of man and woman charac-
teristic and expressive and that its