Richmond County Confederate Monument - Augusta, GA
N 33° 28.495 W 081° 57.862
17S E 410397 N 3704354
The Augusta Confederate Monument was dedicated on October 31, 1878 and located along Broad Street in downtown Augusta, Georgia.
Waymark Code: WM1C346
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 05/25/2025
Views: 0
"The Augusta Confederate Monument, also known as the Richmond County Confederate Monument, is located in the median of the 700 block of Broad Street in downtown Augusta, Georgia, and is inscribed, in part “In Memoriam 'No nation rose so white and fair: None fell so pure of crime.' Our Confederate Dead.” The monument is seventy-six feet high on a granite base, topped by a shaft of Carrara marble. The monument was commissioned in 1875 by the Ladies Memorial Association of Augusta. It was designed by the architectural firm of VanGruder and Young of Philadelphia, built by the Markwalter firm of Augusta, carved by Antonio Fontana, and dedicated on October 31, 1878.
Around the base of the monument are the life size statues of four Southern generals in the American Civil War: Thomas R. R. Cobb, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and William H. T. Walker."-
Augusta Confederate Monument
The
SIRIS listing describes: "A tall tapered shaft topped with a figure of Private Barry Benson holding a rifle in front of him. He is dressed in his Civil War uniform, and carries a pouch on his back side and a bayonet strapped to his proper left hip. The sculptures of four Confederate generals stand around the bottom of the shaft on projecting ledges at each of the four corners. Between each general, the sides of the shaft contain reliefs of Confederate emblems including the coat of arms of the Confederacy and the seal of the State of Georgia.
Standing on the front left side of the base is a sculpture of General Robert E. Lee in uniform with a sash across his chest, holding a gun in his proper left hand and a hat in his proper right hand. On the south side of the base, there is a relief inscribed with "DEO VINDICE" within a band with a flag, a horse, and a soldier inside. Below the band are guns on either side with a drum and cannon balls in between. Beneath this is a trumpet.
Standing on the rear right corner of the base is a sculpture of Thomas R. R. Cobb, holding his proper left hand on his sword and his proper right hand on binoculars at his chest. On the rear of the base, there is a relief of laurel leaves flanked by two flags with crossed rifles and two cannons beneath.
Standing on the rear left corner of the base is a sculpture of William Henry T. Walker in uniform, holding his gloves in his proper right hand and holding his sword with his proper left hand. On the north side of the base, is a relief inscribed with "CONSTITUTION" in an arch over three columns. In front of each column is a standing female figure. Between the columns, on the right is a soldier, and on the left is a farm and field workers.
Standing on the front right corner of the base is a sculpture of Stonewall Jackson, his proper right hand tucked into the front of his jacket. On the front of the base, between Jackson and Lee, is a relief of two intertwined flags and a crossed gun and sword. The base rests on top of a square foundation with six steps leading up to each side."
The remarks section adds: "The sculpture cost approximately $17,331 to $20,934, and honors the Confederate dead of Richmond County. The Ladies Memorial Association of Augusta raised the funds needed for the sculpture project. The association purchased the design for the sculpture from VanGunder and Young of Philadelphia for $500. Architect T. Markwalter of Augusta was awarded the contract to execute the design and Antonio Fantana carved the marble figures in Italy.
Although Private Berry Benson posed for a photograph that was used to create the Confederate soldier at the pinnacle of the shaft, the figure is meant to represent all Confederate enlisted men. Other figures around the shaft of the base are intended to be Confederate symbols, including: General Robert E. Lee, leader of the Confederate Army, who represents the Confederacy; Stonewall Jackson, Confederate general, who symbolizes the Confederacy and the State of Virginia; Thomas R. R. Cobb, who symbolizes the State of Georgia; and William H. T. Walker, who represents Richmond County and the City of Augusta."
The inscription reads:
[North Face]:
In Memoriam
"No Nation Rose So White
And Fair:
None Fell So Pure Of Crime"
[West Face]:
Erected
A.D. 1878
by
The Ladies
Memorial Association
of Augusta.
In Honor of the men of
Richmond County
who died
in the cause of the
Confederate States
[South Face]:
Worthy
to have lived and known
our Gratitude:
Worthy
to be hallowed and held
in tender Remembrance:
Worthy
the Fadeless Fame which
Confederate Soldiers
Won.
who gave themselves life
and Death for us:
For the Honor of Georgia.
For the Rights of States.
For the Liberties of the People.
For the Sentiments of the South.
For the Principals of the Union.
as these were handed down to
them by the Fathers of
our Common Country.