Gettysburg Sculptures

Mississippi Monument

Dedicated October 19, 1973

When one stands in front of this monument they are captured by not only its pure size, but also the emotion in it. As Wayne Craven would comment "If any image expresses the sentiment of the people of the South wished to have embodied in their sculptured monuments at Gettysburg, it is surely this one, for it seems to say " We, a proud people, may have lost this great battle, but in it our men fought nobly, heroically, and with honor, for the cause they esteemed above all others."  Wayne Craven's quote sums up the view one enjoys when standing in front of this great bronze.

This is the last monument dedicated at Gettysburg sculpted by De Lue. We last featured his first, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and will soon feature the Louisiana Memorial.

De Lue would convey courage and sacrifice in this monument. As one soldier lays dead another fights to protect the southern banner. Although all of his ammunition is gone he swings his "Mississippi Rifle" in defense.

 The face of the Mississippi soldier depicts anger and determination experience by all soldiers in combat.

While one fights on with rifle in hand, another has passed. De Lue captured both ends of the emotional spectrum.

Click on the link below to find the location of this monument on the battlefield.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217933626154065894433.0004b9e21168e3508ec2b&msa=0&ll=39.8031,-77.255795&spn=0.002032,0.003385

De Lue captured many details in his bronze statues. Notice the hole in the sole of the shoe of the dead Mississippi soldier.

 As one soldier's hand hangs limp in death, another shows great strength as the fight, now hand to hand continues. This is the emotion De Lue would convey in this monument. 

The broken flag staff.

The southern battle flag the "Stars and Bars".

One feature carried over throughout all of De Lue's monuments at Gettysburg is the exposed foot in the open shoe.

A fallen Mississippi soldier.