The Newberry Herald

The Confederate Monument—Description, Location, &c.

A committee was appointed at the last meeting of the County Confederate Survivors' Association to invite plans and proposals for a monument, to be erected to the Confederate dead of Newberry County. The price of the monument was fixed by the Association at $1,000; so the bidders had nothing to do but to say what kind of a monument they would erect for that sum. Bids were received from Mr. Viet, of Charleston, Messrs. Boyne & Sprowls of Columbia, Mr. McWalter, of Augusta, and Messrs. Leavell & Speers, of Newberry. The proposal of Messrs. Leavell & Speers was, by odds, the best of all, including the largest monument and the handsomest design; and their proposal was accepted by the committee, which met in town last Saturday.

The following DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT may give some idea of its appearance when finished: The monument will be seventeen feet high. The base will be made of dressed granite—in three layers—and will be 5 feet 6 inches square, and 3 feet 6 inches high. On this will rest the marble base, 2 feet 10 inches wide and 1 foot 1 inch high. Then comes the die, 2 feet 2 inches wide and 2 feet 8 inches high; then the sub-die, 1 foot 10 inches wide and 1 foot 3 inches high; then comes the shaft (a Corinthian column) 15 inches wide at the bottom and 8 feet high, surmounted by a pyramid of cannon balls. On the die will be carved the names of Newberry's Confederate dead, by regiments. (about 300 in number), except the names of the commissioned officers, which will be carved on three sides of the sub-die; on the fourth side of the sub-die will be carved the Coat of Arms of South Carolina. On the shaft, near its base, will be carved Confederate flags, cannon and bayonets. The whole of the monument, except the granite base, will be of fine Italian marble.

The monument will be enclosed by an iron picket fence eight feet square and four feet high. There is a diversity of opinion on THE QUESTION OF LOCATION, some preferring Rosemont Cemetery, others the Public Square. It is thought by some that the monument will not be safe from injury on the Public Square; then again, if it be erected in the Cemetery it will be seen by only a few persons from the country. Our opinion is that it should be placed in the most conspicuous position compatible with its safety and proper preservation, and that between the Court House steps and Mollohon Row would be the best location. This question will be decided by the Survivors' Association at its next meeting, which will be on sale-day in September. It is important, therefore, that there should be a full attendance on that day.

Work will be commenced on the monument right away, and it will be completed in four or five months. When completed it will be an ornament and an honor to Newberry County, and an object of pride to our posterity.