Gettysburg Sculptures

Alabama State Memorial

Dedicated November 12, 1933

Cost: $12,000.00 ($5000.00 appropriated by the State Legislature and the remainder raised by the Alabama Chapter U.D.C.)

Memorial Height: 12 feet 6 inches

Memorial Width: 24 feet 4 inches

Memorial Depth: 10 feet 6 inches

Bronze sculpture by Joseph W. Urner (1898-1987) of Frederick Maryland cast by the Roman Bronze Works, New York City, New York.

Foundation and granite work by Hammaker Brothers of Hagerstown Maryland.

The Alabama Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy would sponsor the memorial. The dedication of this memorial was the "realization of a long-cherished dream of that organization."

The design of the memorial has three figures. In the center a woman pointing represents the "Spirit of the Confederacy." At either side are two Alabama soldiers. To her right a young, kneeling wounded soldier hands his cartridge box to a older soldier that will continue the fight.

Atop the memorial is "Alabamians!". The exclamation mark, often not noticed, was to indicate strong feelings or high volume.

The fight continues as a wounded soldier hands his cartridge box to an advancing soldier.

 The woman on the memorial typifies the "Spirit of the Confederacy" - the steadfast courage which enabled the embryonic nation to carry on through four years of bitter hardship."

The young wounded Alabamian "accustomed to victory and sure of his fame."

An older soldier takes the cartridge box of his wounded compatriot "who in turn must show that extraordinary devotion which kept him unfaltering at his post" continues towards the Round Tops.

 Urner would sculpt both Laurel and Hickory on the bronze memorial. His thought was both are found in both Alabama and Pennsylvania. Symbolically this represents the friendship the two states now share. 

Looking north from the ground in front of the Alabama Memorial. Soldiers of Evander Law's Alabama Brigade would attack both the Devils Den and Little Round Top on the afternoon of July 2, 1863.