File:16. Original Design Description of Tennessee Memorial, after, July 3, 1982 Page 1 (3c5871cf-842a-40b0-a957-6cfa09ebe4fe).jpg

White paper with typed black text

The concept of the Tennessee monument was submitted to Dr. de Weldon by the Confederate High Command has been carries out and this is a description of the monument. The base will be in the shape of Tennessee, approximately seventy five feet long and twenty five feet wide. We believe this will be the only monument on the National Park with this unique plan. On the land or from the air, to anyone who knows geography, the Tennessee monument will be easily distinguished. The base will be set off in mosaic and the wall around the center and to the rear will hold the various bronze plaques telling the military history of the three regiments. On the pedestal in the center will be a large rock type pedestal holding the three figures of soldiers. These three men will signify the first, seventh and fourteenth Tennessee Infantry Regiments. The left figure will be of an infantryman holding an 1812 type musket, the type carried by many Tennesseans. This man will appear to be in his late fifties, there were many that were this age and older. The middle figure will be the color bearer signifying the three regimental colors carries to the Stone Wall in Pickett’s Charge. He will be a young man in his twenties of which there were so many. The third figure will be a little fellow, a drummer boy, in his early teens. The purpose of including this little drummer boy is a twofold one. Like the other figures, he will of course represent a regiment. As for the other purpose….. during the war there were so many little men who served as drummer boys and performed with courage. Songs have been written about these brave little lads, storys written and movies produced…but never has there been a monument commemorating their deeds. We wish to further dignify the monument by honoring the drummer boys in this manner. The three figures on the rock will weigh over forty tons and be twelve feet in height. The total height of the monument will be twenty five feet. The rock pedestal will be flat on the left end, Tennessee is flat in the western portion. The middle portion will be rolling and signify the rolling topography of middle Tennessee. The right portion will rise up which is significant to the mountainous terrain of east Tennessee. Within the base of the monument, a crypt will be hollowed out. As the campaign goes along, the names of all donors will be inscribed on a parchment roll. At the dedication this roll will be placed in the crypt and sealed permanently…to all who gave in order to make this monument a reality, they look upon this monument knowing their names are forever enshrined within its confines. During the War Between the States many fallen heroes were hurriedly buried after battle. Many graves were unmarked and the sands of time erased the crude markings on those that were marked.

• Keywords: Gettysburg; Gettysburg National Military Park; Photography; monuments; memorials; virtual experience; battlefield