Confederate Memorial (Romney, West Virginia)

For other places with the same name, see Confederate monuments.

Confederate Memorial
Confederate Memorial Association
Hampshire County, West Virginia

The Confederate Memorial in 2010.
For the men of Hampshire County who died fighting for the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War.
Unveiled September 26, 1867
Location 39°20′34″N 78°45′56″W / 39.34267°N 78.76547°W
Indian Mound Cemetery
Romney, West Virginia, United States
Designed by Gaddes Brothers of Baltimore, Maryland
"The Daughters of Old Hampshire Erect This Tribute of Affection to Her Heroic Sons Who Fell in Defence of Southern Rights."

The Confederate Memorial (also referred to as the First Confederate Memorial) at Indian Mound Cemetery in Romney, West Virginia, commemorates residents of Hampshire County who died during the American Civil War while fighting for the Confederate States of America. It was sponsored by the Confederate Memorial Association, which formally dedicated the monument on September 26, 1867. The town of Romney has claimed that this is the first memorial structure erected to memorialize the Confederate dead in the United States and that the town conducted the nation's first public decoration of Confederate graves on June 1, 1866, although other towns dispute this.

Confederate Memorial Association

Robert White (pictured left) and his brother Christian Streit White (pictured right) were among the first residents of Romney to conceive of the idea for a Confederate memorial.

The idea to memorialize the men of Hampshire County who had died fighting in the Military of the Confederate States of America was initially discussed at a meeting in early spring of 1866 at the Romney residence of former Confederate Colonel Robert White.[1] Participants in the meeting included White, his brother Christian Streit White, his future sister-in-law Elizabeth "Bessie" Jane Schultze, and his sister Frances Ann White, who later married Samuel Lightfoot Flournoy.[1] Following this meeting, the concept gained support among other residents of Romney.[1] Later in the spring of 1866, a group of Hampshire County women held a public meeting to organize the Confederate Memorial Association with the mission of honoring the men who had died fighting for the Confederacy and providing financial aid to their families.[1][2][3][4] At this meeting, the association appointed officers, adopted a constitution, and selected committees to arrange for the decoration of Confederate interments.[1][lower-alpha 1]

The people of Hampshire County had been overwhelmingly pro-Confederate during the American Civil War, but the county now lay within Unionist West Virginia.[5] West Virginia's first state constitution disenfranchised Confederate veterans and partisans and forbade them from holding elected office.[1][3][5][6] In spite of these impediments and risking the ire of Unionist authorities, members of the Confederate Memorial Association and their families marched through Romney to Indian Mound Cemetery and formally decorated the gravestones at the interment sites of Confederate dead on June 1, 1866.[1][2][3][5][6][7] Few Hampshire County residents participated in this first decoration of the Confederate graves, fearing reproach from Federal authorities,[1] and others who had pledged to take part in the decoration later refused to do so for this reason.[1][8]

The Confederate Memorial (pictured center right) is located atop a small mound in Indian Mound Cemetery just inside the cemetery's entrance.

This adornment in Indian Mound Cemetery has been called the first such public decoration of Confederate burials, although this claim is disputed by other towns in the Southern United States.[1][2][3][7] Romney's decoration contributed to a precedent that spread throughout the South during the Reconstruction Era.[2][3][7] Relatives and loved ones of the Union dead buried in Indian Mound Cemetery also began to follow this precedent by decorating the cemetery's Union headstones.[5]

Fundraising

Following the first decoration of the graves in 1866, momentum built for the erection of a permanent monument to the Confederate dead at Indian Mound Cemetery.[2][7] The Confederate Memorial Association conducted fundraising for construction of the memorial, including sewing circles, bazaars, and fairs.[2][3][7][8][9] Confederate veterans and others in Hampshire County undertook additional fundraising efforts, including entertainment shows and general solicitation.[2][3] In addition to raising funds for the construction of the memorial, the Confederate Memorial Association also raised money for the widows and children of the Confederate dead.[2] By October 15, 1866, the gross receipts returned to the association's treasury amounted to $1,170.91 USD, of which the Confederate Memorial Association provided $421.58 USD to the Confederate widows and orphaned children.[3][7][8] Fundraising continued until June 1867.[3][7][8]

Design selection

By June 6, 1867, the Confederate Memorial Association had raised the necessary funds and proceeded to select the design,[2][3][5][7][8] taking into account input from Confederate veterans and others across Hampshire County.[2][3][7]

The main inscription (pictured) etched into the façade of the Confederate Memorial.

In July 1867, a committee of the Confederate Memorial Association narrowed the numerous proposals it had received for the memorial's inscription to three finalists.[3][7][8] The first inscription finalist said the Confederate soldiers "died in defense of what they believed to be right", the second said they were "our sons and brothers, who fell as soldiers in the Confederate army",[8] and the third, which was ultimately adopted by the committee, read in full: "The Daughters of Old Hampshire Erect This Tribute of Affection to Her Heroic Sons Who Fell in Defence of Southern Rights."[2][3][7][8][9][10]

Construction

Once the design and inscription had been chosen, the association appointed committees to select a contractor.[3][7] At the end of the process, the contract was awarded to the Gaddes Brothers firm of Baltimore, Maryland. They were asked to fabricate a white Italian marble monument.[2][3][7][8][10] The memorial was designed, sculpted, and manufactured at a cost of $1,133.63 USD.[2][8] According to United Daughters of the Confederacy historian Mary Bell Foote, the words "Southern Rights" were initially omitted from the end of the memorial's inscription during its fabrication due to the "bitter" feelings in Baltimore following the American Civil War, and Federal statutes banning such monuments.[2][4] After the memorial's components were packaged for shipping to Romney, the words "Southern Rights" were secretly etched into the white marble and the components quickly boarded over and shipped.[2][4]

The memorial's components were delivered to Indian Mound Cemetery on September 14, 1867,[2][4][9] and it was erected at its present location by a group of Romney volunteers.[2][3][7][8] Bob Fisher was paid $5.00 USD for raising the earthen mound around the monument's location and $4.11 USD for providing lodging to one of the Gaddes brothers at his residence. William Sheetz was paid $18.80 USD for building the memorial's raised mound and supporting foundation.[4] Twelve days later on September 26, the Confederate Memorial was formally dedicated in a public ceremony.[2][4][8][lower-alpha 2]

Location and design

A high relief on the monument's top block represents either Fame or an angel placing a laurel wreath upon the head of a dying soldier clasping his sword.

The Confederate Memorial stands upon a raised mound ringed by five boxwoods within the original section of Indian Mound Cemetery, not far from the cemetery's entrance.[4][9] Several family interment plots surround the memorial and its circular raised lawn.[11] A burial ground where Confederate and Union dead were buried during the American Civil War lies adjacent to the memorial.[11]

The Confederate Memorial is in the form of an obelisk, measuring 4 square feet (0.37 m2) at its base and 12 feet (3.7 m) in height.[2][4][8][12] The structure's pedestal consists of two major stylized component blocks of white marble, topped by a sculpture of a cloth draped urn.[2][10][12] Carved into the façade of the smaller top block of the memorial is a high relief that represents either Fame or an angel placing a laurel wreath upon the head of a dying soldier clasping his sword.[2][12] Below, on the façade of the larger block, is the inscription: "The Daughters of Old Hampshire Erect This Tribute of Affection to Her Heroic Sons Who Fell in Defence of Southern Rights."[2][3][9][10] The other three sides of the memorial contain the engraved names of 125 Hampshire County men who died for the Confederate cause.[2][3][5][9] A number representing the total fallen Confederates was not included in the memorial as it was not precisely known at the time of the monument's construction.[8] The memorial's foundation block bears the date of its erection, "1867".[12]

Inscribed names

The list of 125 names engraved on the monument consists of four captains, seven lieutenants (one of which was a chaplain), three sergeants, and 119 privates.[8][12] Since the memorial's erection in 1867, several names of Hampshire County's Confederate dead were found to have been omitted from the memorial.[13][14] These names have been included the "Confederate Honor Roll" along with those names etched in the memorial and the names of Confederate veterans.[13][15] Each of these names is recited during the annual ceremony held on Hampshire County Confederate Memorial Day.[5][13][15] The following is the list of Confederate dead etched into the Confederate Memorial:[8]

Military rank Inscribed names
Captains[8] G. F. Sheetz, A. Smith, G. W. Stump, J. M. Lovett[8]
Lieutenants[8] M. Blue, J. Buzzard, J. Earsom, H. Engle, W. F. Johnson, J. N. Moorehead, F. D. Sherrard, Rev. J. S. Reese[8]
Sergeants[8] B. W. Armstrong, J. C. Leps, G. Cheshire[8]
Privates[8][16] A. T. Pugh, J. W. Park, S. Park, J. W. Poland, J. Peer, R. J. Parran, C. Parran, H. Powell, N. Pownall, J. W. Ream, G. W. Ruckman, L. Spaid, P. Stump, H. Senoff, A. Shingleton, J. Stewart, S. Swisher, E. Gaylor, M. Taylor, J. Taylor, E. P. Ward, I. Wolfe, J. Washington, M. Watkins, H. Wilson, G. Shoemaker, L. D. Shanholtzer, J. Strother, W. Unglesbee, B. Wills, J. Haines, J. F. Hass, M. Harmison, A. Hollenback, G. Hott, E. Hartley, B. Hare, –. Householder, M. V. Inskeep, J. Johnson, J. H. Johnson, T. Keely, J. Kern, S. Loy, E. Milleson, O. Milleson, S. Mohler, F. M. Myers, J. W. Marker, T. McGraw, I. Mills, J. Merritt, J. W. Pugh, O. V. Pugh, J. Kump, P. Noland, J. Rudolph, J. M. Reese, M. V. Reid, W. O. Lupton, J. Noreland, J. Starns, F. C. Sechrist, G. W. Strother, J. D. Adams, I. P. Armstrong, E. Allen, J. W. Baker, H. Baker, J. W. Barley, H. Bird, W. J. Blue, T. T. Brooks, R. Brown, J. W. Boro, I. D. Carroll, J. Cupp, J. S. Davis, J. A. Daily, J. Davy, S. Engly, J. Floury, J. Furlow, I. V. Gibson, R. C. Grace, T. T. Gross, R. Gill, J. P. Greitzner, A. Haines, J. J. Arnold, F. Abee, A. J. Baker, William Baker, J. Bumgarner, Morgan Brill, Mat Brill, G. Delaplains, J. Doughett, J. Engle, C. Garvin, G. R. Garvin, J. Hammock, T. Harrison[8][16]

Restoration

In 1984, the Confederate Memorial underwent an extensive restoration.[4][11] The monument had darkened due to weathering.[4][11] The surfaces of the memorial were sanded and sealed for future protection.[4][11] This restoration effort was funded through charitable contributions.[4][11] The names of the contributors were inscribed within the same treasurer's book used to record the memorial's inaugural contributions on June 6, 1866.[4][11] The monument's restoration cost totaled $2,850 USD.[4][11]

Hampshire County Confederate Memorial Day

Headstones (pictured) at the interment sites of Confederate war dead in Indian Mound Cemetery, adjacent to the Confederate Memorial.

The tradition of decorating the Confederate graves in Indian Mound Cemetery has continued annually since June 1, 1866,[1] and occurs on the first Saturday in June, which is known as Hampshire County Confederate Memorial Day or June Decoration Day.[2][5] On this day, participants in the ceremony march down Main Street (U.S. Route 50) through Romney with American Civil War reenactors carrying Confederate flags.[5] A handmade evergreen garland measuring 30 feet (9.1 m) in length is suspended from the Confederate Memorial, along with evergreen wreaths.[2][4][5] Flowers and Confederate flags are also placed at each of the Confederate headstones.[2][4][11] The decorations are usually placed at the memorial and upon the Confederate gravestones by reenactors.[5] Invited speakers address participants.[11] A roll of honor is recited at the memorial, followed by a musket salute.[4][5] Ceremony participants include descendants of the founding members of the Confederate Memorial Association.[2]

Significance

The construction of the Confederate Memorial marked the beginning of an era of post-war revitalization for Hampshire County following the American Civil War.[13][15] The memorial became a symbol of the county's restored confidence.[13][15] The citizens of Hampshire County worked together to reestablish and rebuild the institutions, municipal buildings, and businesses destroyed during the war.[13][15]

The memorial is among the first monuments erected to memorialize the Confederate dead in the United States.[1][2][4][9][12] Romney's claim as having the first Confederate Memorial is disputed by Cheraw, South Carolina, as its monument was dedicated two months prior on July 26, 1867.[17][18] However, the Cheraw memorial omits the mention of "Confederacy", "Confederate", or "Southern".[17]

See also

References

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 694. In their History of Hampshire County, West Virginia (1897), historians Hu Maxwell and Howard Llewellyn Swisher gathered from the Confederate Memorial Association's minute book the officers of the association: "Presidents: Mrs. Robert White, Mrs. Abraham Smith, Mrs. J. P. Wilson, Mrs. J. L. Vance, Mrs. [Garrett Williams] Parsons [(Mary Avery Covell Parsons)]. Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Margaret V. Taylor, Miss Miranda Taylor, Mrs. C. E. Blue, Mrs. C. S, White, Mrs. J. L. Vance, Mrs. John J. Inskeep. Secretaries: Misses Bessie J. Schultze [later Mrs. C. S, White], Tillie Kern, Mary V. Foote, Ellen Kane, Mary Heiskell, Lou McCarty. Treasurers: Mrs. J. D. Armstrong, Mrs. Michael Blue, Miss Virginia Parsons, Mrs. Julius Waddle."
  2. ↑ Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 695. At the end of their chapter "Closing Events of the War" in History of Hampshire County, West Virginia, Maxwell and Swisher give special recognition to the following individuals for their efforts in funding and erecting the Confederate Memorial, although their specific roles are not given: "Mrs. James D. Armstrong, Mrs. James N. Morehead, Misses Susie M. Pancake, Susie Poling, Louise Greitzner, Lizzie Inskeep, Lieutenant C. W. Pattie, D. W. Endler."

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 692.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 137.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 Federal Writers' Project 1937, p. 65.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 "The Confederate Memorial in Indian Mound Cemetery, Romney, W. Va. and The Confederate Memorial Association", HistoricHampshire.org (HistoricHampshire.org, Charles C. Hall), retrieved November 22, 2013
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 136.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brannon 1976, p. 13.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 Brannon 1976, p. 14.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22 8.23 Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 693.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Federal Writers' Project 1937, p. 13.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Chambers 2004, p. 510.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 138.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Riley, Elihu S. (December 1906), "The First Confederate Monument", Book of the Royal Blue (Baltimore, Maryland: Passenger Department, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) 10: 17–18, retrieved November 22, 2013
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Federal Writers' Project 1937, p. 66.
  14. ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 14–15.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Brannon 1976, p. 15.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 694.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Johnson 2009, pp. 36–38.
  18. ↑ Johnson 2009, p. 144.

Bibliography

External links