The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-18
HONORS HEROES.
Monument ut Manning for COnfcdcr-
atcs IS Unveiled.

unveiling Of the Clarendon county
tractcd an immense throng of people
from all sections of the county and
feeling of patriotic enthusiasm SEEM
cd to pcrvade the entire asscmblage
A band from Charleston was pres
eni and furnished excellent music at
intervals Throughout the exercises of
the day.
The first feature was an automobile
parade in which about two-scorc cars
took part, taking for ride over
town all the veterans present, about
so in number, the speakers Of the
day, the ladies composing the monu-
ment committee and the little girls
who had been selected to draw the
cords at the unveiling of the statue.
j. ii. Lesesne presided and intro
duced the speakers, who were John
j. McSwain Of Grccnville and Col.
James Armstrong Of Charleston. The
addresses were of an unusually high
order and were heard with great
interest. The business houses of the
town closed during the exercises.
The monument. beautifully symmct-
rical and chaste in design, is 26 feet
high and consists of q triple base, a
die containing inscriptions on all four
sides, shaft bearing in raised sculp
ture Confederate flag dropping from
a broken staff, and the whole sur
mounted by statue representing a
young soldier standing at parade rest
with an old-timc muzZle loading mus
kct. The material Of the monument
Is WinnsborO granite, except the stat
ne. which is of Italian marble. The
inscription on the four sides of the
die are all in raised lettering and are
intended to be read progressively
from north to cast, south and west
On the base of the north side is in
scrbed in or, ate capitals. "Our He"
rOes." while above on the north face
of the die Is this inscriptions:
Erected
To the soldiers from Clarendon county
who served in
the war for Southern Independence
Charleston 1861 Appomatttox 1866"
On the east side of the die is the
following inscriptions:
Hope, like the eastern sun, rose
bright in the heart Of the Southern
er for homo government and tho Con-
fedcratc States Of America Contend
ing against armies overwhelming in
numbers and with resources mex
haustiblc. he fought with patriotism
undauntcd, and love Of country un-
cXcelled in history. Unawcd by fear
of defeat, nc defended the sacrcdness
of home and the sovereignty Of his
State"
Then on the south side is the fol-
lowing inscription:
mot to disrupt righteous union
soldier take up arms but to defend
cherished principles Of civil rights did
he leave his all to do battle unto
death Though Overpowcred by force
he was unbrokCn in spirit; Of
fcring his life as crowning sacri-
flee he faced the fate of war; un-
conquered in defeat; undismaycd in
DiviE" faith; undiscouraged i'm hope
for the future. Untiring in rebuild.
ing"
Finally on the west side the fol,
lowing inscription appears:
I'm 1914 when this memorial is
erected to the Confederate soldiers.
when the sun of life of the few who
remain hovers i'm the western horizon:
az we view their patriotism through
half century past; as the time stage
OF their deeds rcccdcs, their lustrc
brightens. Generations unborn will
proudly claim their ancestry. Many
answered the last roll call i'm battle;
others have answered since; the re-
remaining few must soon answer
Their memory lives.
Peace, Reverence, Union."
These several inscriptions were
written by j. II. Lescsne, Il loyal son
OF the Confcdcracy, to whom is due
the credit for the inception and most
of the earlier work looking to tho
erection of the monument. The work
was finally carried to successful COM
plction by special committee of de-
Notcd, patriotic women composed as
follows: Mrs. Joseph Sprott, chair
man; Mrs. T.. o. Richardson, sccrc-
tary: Mrs. ID. NJ. Bradham. Mrs. &.
Is. Gricr, and Misses Ria Lee Bow
man. Augusta Applet and Edna
lirockinSton. AS it stands completed
the monument is beautifully situated
on the court house grounds facing the
street to the north.