Confederate Memorial

 My small contribution for Memorial Day 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldetownephotos/4659610255/

And 2015

Regardless of how these men who participated in the War for Southern Independence have been portrayed by historians, they were brave men who believed in God, loved their families, bled and died. They did not want to die. Many of the men who returned home from the war, both the maimed and the whole, tried to return to a normal life.

From 1875 to 1893, the Monument Association and the Ladies Memorial Aid Association struggled to raise funds, mainly through picnics, fairs, and contests, to complete a monument to the Confederate dead of Portsmouth and Norfolk County. They were later joined in their efforts by Stonewall Camp Number 380, United Confederate Veterans of Portsmouth, Va. The granite was donated by the Seaboard & Roanoke and Raleigh & Gaston railroad companies from their quarries near Henderson, NC. On 14 December 1876, the cornerstone was laid with Masonic ceremonies. The capstone was placed on 15 June 1881. The ornamental iron fence was placed around the monument in 1882. On 15 December 1887, the infantry (south elevation) and artillery (north elevation) statues were received from the Monumental Bronze Company of Connecticut and were placed on their platforms. The remaining statues, navy (east elevation) and cavalry (west elevation) were placed subsequent to the dedication of the monument. The monument was dedicated on 15 June 1893. Each of the four statues mount on the four platforms surrounding the monument are individually crafted unique statues. Following the cornerstone laying, four local men were chosen to pose for the figures. This monument is only one of three in the South containing a statue of a confederate sailor. This statue faces east toward the Elizabeth River, the route taken by the CSS Virginia in her engagement with the USS Monitor on 08-09 March 1862, during the Battle of Hampton Roads. Along the headband of the sailor's flat hat can be read the word "Merrimac." When the U.S. Navy abandoned the Gosport Navy Yard on 20 April 1861, all ships, munitions, and stores were ordered destroyed. Some histories report that among salvageable items were naval uniforms and hats that were later worn by the CSS Virginia's crew. Facing south on the monument's pedestal is caved the inscription "To our Confederate Dead" and around the four sides of the obelisk are inscribed the dates 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865 which is directly below the 1861 on the south facade. At the top of the monument also facing south, is a five-pointed star. In the ground facing north at the monument's base, rests a weathered marble stone honoring Major F.W. Jett, a Confederate engineer, who was influential in constructing the monument. to the left of the stone in the ground is a bronze plaque bearing the stone's inscription. Surrounding the entire monument is an ornamental iron railing with a gate on the north side.

National Register of Historical Places

18 page PDF

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/124-0183_Confederate_Monument_1997_Final_Nomination.pdf

Below is the old link. Use the one above.

http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Portsmouth/124-0183_Confederate_Monument_pd1997_Final_Nomination.f

Col. William H. Stewart, editor & compiler, History of Norfolk County, Virginia and Representative Citizens (Chicago, Illinois: Biographical Publishing Co., 1902), page 137:
Confederate Soldiers Monuments, Portsmouth
On May 8, 1875, a meeting of the citizens of Norfolk County was called to organize a monumental association. Judge J. F. Crocker was chosen to the chair, and the following permanent committee appointed: Judge J. F. Crocker, president; Maj. William H. Ethridge, of Norfolk County, and Col. William White of Portsmouth, vice-presidents: Maj. George W. Grice, treasurer; Oscar V. Smith, sectretary. Directors: B. A. Armistead, John T. Griffin, J.G. Wallace, Thomas H. Brown, Alonzo Ives, Thomas M. Hodges, of Norfolk County, Maj. W. C. Wingfield, E. G. Ghio, Capt. James H. Toomer, Col. D. J. Godwin, Capt. John H. Gayle, Capt. W. H. Murdaugh, Maj. F. W. Jett, Capt. C. W. Murdaugh, Judge L. R. Watts, Capt. C. T. Phillips, and Col. William H. Stewart, of Portsmouth, Charles E. Cassell, then of Portsmouth, was chosen architect. At a meeting held in the following November, a committee was appointed to select a site for the monument. The one selected was at the intersection of High and Court streets, opposite the court house, and the directors accepted it.

from:
http://www.hopewell.org/Genealogy/genealogy%20database%20manning%20hodges%20and%20allied%20families/i52.htm
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Museum of the Confederacy

C.S.A. Fr. Abram Joseph Ryan (1838~1886)

Do we weep for the heroes who died for us, Who living were true and tried for us, And dying sleep side by side for us;       The Martyr-band       That hallowed our land With the blood they shed in a tide for us? Ah! fearless on many a day for us They stood in front of the fray for us, And held the foeman at bay for us;       And tears should fall       Fore'er o'er all Who fell while wearing the Gray for us.

How many a glorious name for us, How many a story of fame for us They left: Would it not be a blame for us       If their memories part       From our land and heart, And a wrong to them, and shame for us? No, no, no, they were brave for us, And bright were the lives they gave for us; The land they struggled to save for us       Will not forget       Its warriors yet Who sleep in so many a grave for us.

On many and many a plain for us Their blood poured down all in vain for us, Red, rich, and pure, like a rain for us;       They bleed -- we weep,       We live -- they sleep, "All lost," the only refrain for us. But their memories e'er shall remain for us, And their names, bright names, without stain for us; The glory they won shall not wane for us,       In legend and lay       Our heroes in Gray Shall forever live over again for us.

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 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Grove-Cemetery-Foundation-Portsmouth-Virginia/197697840304878

https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldetownephotos/16507040065/

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Cedar Grove Cemetery Foundation Portsmouth Virginia

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http://stonewallcamp380.com/
* Website under reconstruction. No pun intended.
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In 1866, Blandford Cemetery was the site of Decoration Day ceremony. While visiting the cemetery, the wife of Union General John A. Logan was present and spied Miss Nora Fontaine Davidson, a schoolteacher, and her pupils putting flowers and tiny Confederate flags on the soldiers' graves. Shortly afterward General Logan issued a proclamation calling for the observance of Memorial Day. Locals say that Decoration Day served as the inspiration for the federal Memorial Day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blandford_Cemetery
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Authorities arrest man in vandalism to Confederate Monument

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780981/posts

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Monument Spray Painter Caught

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-9132.html

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Some of the text has been scrambled during transcription, but it is still readable. 

Click HERE for an animated eBook.

History of the confederated memorial associations of the South ..

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It's just a matter of time that this and all monuments and memorials erected and dedicated to the men and women, who valiantly fought for their rights and freedoms, will be removed from public view. They are not to glorify war; only to remember and educate.
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June 24, 2015 Update
As I wrote before, it's just a matter of time ....                                              
*comments deleted. I'm just going to report the facts.

From "People for Portsmouth" Facebook Page :

UPDATE: Per the request by Portsmouth City Councilman Dr. Mark Whitaker to have the Confederate Monument removed. The monument is located at the corners of High and Court Streets in downtown Portsmouth.

According to local historian Dean Burgess who is a retired Portsmouth librarian and member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the land that the monument sits on does not belong to the City of Portsmouth. In 1878 it was deeded by the City in perpetuity to the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).

Mr. Burgess told PfP, that was a result of the UDC wanting to put the monument in Trinity Church Courtyard, but since the memorial was not for a particular person, the church felt it better to not be located there.

The issue of the monument came up in 1980 when Confederate flags adorned the monument during a Memorial Day weekend. The City was asked to remove them, but learned it did not own the monument or the land.

Fast forward to today and who holds the deed? John Sharett, Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Stonewall Camp, Portsmouth, verified that the parcel was deeded to the Ladies Aid Association, precursor to the UDC, in 1876. 

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2011 Code of Virginia

Title 15.2 COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS.
Chapter 18 Buildings, Monuments and Lands Generally (15.2-1800 thru 15.2-1814) 15.2-1812 Memorials for war veterans

Universal Citation: VA Code § 15.2-1812 (2001 through Reg Session)
15.2-1812. Memorials for war veterans.

A locality may, within the geographical limits of the locality, authorize and permit the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict, or for any engagement of such war or conflict, to include the following monuments or memorials: Algonquin (1622), French and Indian (1754-1763), Revolutionary (1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican (1846-1848), Confederate or Union monuments or memorials of the War Between the States (1861-1865), Spanish-American (1898), World War I (1917-1918), World War II (1941-1945), Korean (1950-1953), Vietnam (1965-1973), Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm (1990-1991), Global War on Terrorism (2000-), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 -). If such are erected, it shall be unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same. For purposes of this section, "disturb or interfere with" includes removal of, damaging or defacing monuments or memorials, or, in the case of the War Between the States, the placement of Union markings or monuments on previously designated Confederate memorials or the placement of Confederate markings or monuments on previously designated Union memorials.

The governing body may appropriate a sufficient sum of money out of its funds to complete or aid in the erection of monuments or memorials to the veterans of such wars. The governing body may also make a special levy to raise the money necessary for the erection or completion of any such monuments or memorials, or to supplement the funds already raised or that may be raised by private persons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion or other organizations. It may also appropriate, out of any funds of such locality, a sufficient sum of money to permanently care for, protect and preserve such monuments or memorials and may expend the same thereafter as other funds are expended.

(Code 1950, 15-696; 1962, c. 623, 15.1-270; 1982, c. 19; 1988, c. 284; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 752; 2005, c. 390; 2010, c. 860.)

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Confederate Monuments in Virginia

https://books.google.com/books?id=TGu5swwHDMEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

An Illustrated Guide to Virginia’s Confederate Monuments - Timothy S. Sedore - Google Books

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by Rosemary Thornton

Editor's note:

 I'm not a fan of the Confederate flag and what it has come to symbolize in the 20th century. It was a symbol adopted by The Dixiecrats in the early days of desegregation to perpetuate their bigotry. The monuments in this state like the Portsmouth monument are essentially mass grave markers erected by the mothers, sisters and daughters of men who died, men who did not come home from a conflict (right or wrong).

Code of Virginia § 15.2-1812
Memorials for war veterans.
A locality may, within the geographical limits of the locality, authorize and permit the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict, or for any engagement of such war or conflict, to include the following monuments or memorials: Algonquin (1622), French and Indian (1754-1763), Revolutionary (1775-1783), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican (1846-1848), Confederate or Union monuments or memorials of the War Between the States (1861-1865), Spanish-American (1898), World War I (1917-1918), World War II (1941-1945), Korean (1950-1953), Vietnam (1965-1973), Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm (1990-1991), Global War on Terrorism (2000-), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-). If such are erected, it shall be unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same. For purposes of this section, "disturb or interfere with" includes removal of, damaging or defacing monuments or memorials, or, in the case of the War Between the States, the placement of Union markings or monuments on previously designated Confederate memorials or the placement of Confederate markings or monuments on previously designated Union memorials.
The governing body may appropriate a sufficient sum of money out of its funds to complete or aid in the erection of monuments or memorials to the veterans of such wars. The governing body may also make a special levy to raise the money necessary for the erection or completion of any such monuments or memorials, or to supplement the funds already raised or that may be raised by private persons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion or other organizations. It may also appropriate, out of any funds of such locality, a sufficient sum of money to permanently care for, protect and preserve such monuments or memorials and may expend the same thereafter as other funds are expended.
(Code 1950, § 15-696; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-270; 1982, c. 19; 1988, c. 284; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 752; 2005, c. 390; 2010, c. 860.)
Violation of this code section is punishable by:
§ 18.2-137. Injuring, etc., any property, monument, etc.
A. If any person unlawfully destroys, defaces, damages or removes without the intent to steal any property, real or personal, not his own, or breaks down, destroys, defaces, damages or removes without the intent to steal, any monument or memorial for war veterans described in § 15.2-1812, any monument erected for the purpose of marking the site of any engagement fought during the War between the States, or for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any city, town, tract of land, or any tree marked for that purpose, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor; provided that the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the charge if the locality or organization responsible for maintaining the injured property, monument, or memorial files a written affidavit with the court stating it has received full payment for the injury.
B. If any person intentionally causes such injury, he shall be guilty of (i) a Class 1 misdemeanor if the value of or damage to the property, memorial or monument is less than $1,000 or (ii) a Class 6 felony if the value of or damage to the property, memorial or monument is $1,000 or more. The amount of loss caused by the destruction, defacing, damage or removal of such property, memorial or monument may be established by proof of the fair market cost of repair or fair market replacement value. Upon conviction, the court may order that the defendant pay restitution.
(Code 1950, § 18.1-172; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15, 598; 1990, c. 933; 1999, c. 625.)

So I believe there is no legal standing on which the City of Portsmouth can remove this monument and a vote to do so would violate state law.

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The page I started before all this commotion is at Preserve ALL Memorials  Click on link