File:22. Sculptor Donald DeLue to Supt. Emery, September 18, 1970 Page 1 (0c9837ae-ee94-47e7-ae04-165c005d4ddd).jpg

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September 18, 1970 Dear Mr. Emery: The Gettysburg Memorial Commission for the State of Mississippi Memorial has approved the design that I submitted to them for the State of Mississippi Memorial at Gettysburg. They have asked me to present the photographs of the design to you and the National Park Service, with the hope of gaining approval of the design and the authorization to proceed with the work. I submit a number of photographs of the preliminary model giving different views, front, back, sides, etc. and the prepared inscription that would go on the back of the pedestal facing the road. The front face of the pedestal would have the one-word Mississippi V cut lettering gold leafed. This is the third Confederate Memorial I have been asked to do on this Hallowed Battlefield. I have been to the field many times and have done a great deal of reading on that subject. In my model I have striven to express the Valor, Honor and Devotion to Duty that was so much in evidence on this Battlefield. It is my belief that this model expresses Gettysburg’s hard-fought, bitter fighting on both sides. But, here on the Confederate side the tide has turned against them, ammunition gone, the flag down, only the courage of desperation remains to the courageous young soldier who is a fine and vigorous specimen of manhood who gives his all for his Country. The Standing Figure is about 10 ft. from the top of the head to the ground and the other figure is in similar proportions. The bronze base is about 12” thick and the granite pedestal is either 4 feet or 5 feet high making the over all height of the Monument either 15 or 16 feet high. It would stand out on the Battlefield facing the Union Lines in just about the same way and same distance from the road as does the Louisiana Memorial including a similar walk from the road. The back of the Monument would face the road and present an interesting and dramatic composition.

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