The monument.
[from the Times Union and Citizen.]
The Confederate monument is regarded by everybody as being most beautiful in design and finish in every way. The monument was selected as having been the choice of three different committees that were appointed, each committee being unknown to the other, and as being the best from the designs submitted.
Two of the best artists in the
United States have approved the design as being the best for purity, simplicity and design.
The contractor for the monument, and who has been in the city superintending its erection, is
George H. Mitchell, of
Chicago.
The monument is sixty-two feet in height, being surmounted by a Confederate soldier in winter uniform, standing at ease with his gun resting on the ground.
On his cap are the initials ‘J. L. I.’
The foundations consist of three steplike elevations, the bottom and largest one being twenty feet, eight inches square.
On this are several other stones, on which rests the die stone.
The shaft of the monument, which is round, is seventeen and one-half feet in length, and is one solid piece of
Vermont granite.
The weight of the die stone is ten tons.
On the north side of this stone is the bronze bust of
General E. Kirby Smith, one of the noted Confederate leaders, who was born in
St. Augustine.
Above the bronze plate, which is inserted in the die stone, two crossed rifles are carved.
Above the bust on the bronze plate is inscribed in raised letters, ‘Christian Soldier,’ and beneath the bust, the name, ‘
E. Kirby Smith.’
On the east side, on the top of the die stone, is carved an anchor and a pair of oars, representing the navy of the
Confederacy, and below, on the bronze plate, are the words:
To the Soldiers of Florida.
This shaft is by a comrade raised in testimony of his love, recalling deeds immortal, heroism unsurpassed.
With ranks unbroken, ragged, starved and decimated, the Southern soldier, for duty's sake, undaunted, stood to the front of battle until no light remained to illuminate the field of carnage, save the luster of his chivalry and courage.
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Nor shall your glory be forgot,
While fame her record keeps,
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
Below this, on the block surmounted by the die stone, are the words: ‘Confederate Memorial, 1861-1865,’ carved in the stone.
On the south side of the monument, cross swords in an alcove over the die stone are carved.
Beneath them, on the bronze plate, are the words: ‘Tried and True,’ and below this the bust of
General J. J. Dickison, commander of the
Florida division of the
United Confederate Veterans, now a resident of
Ocala, and a military leader during the
Civil War. Under this is the name, ‘
J. J. Dickison.’
On the west side are two cannon crossed in the alcove above the die stone, under which are the words, ‘Our Heroes,’ and on the plate is
General R. E. Lee, on horseback, with his drum corps, facing
General Jackson, with his drum corps, representing the army of Northern Virginia.
