Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
HINT: It pertains to a physical object captured in both shots. (It isn’t the watermark)
That’s right, the Confederate soldier statue has been removed from its base. Didn’t see it? Well, that’s because only a small part of this monument was removed. This article says it’s going to be held by a “private benefactor.”
As we began to put this report together, we realized that an article about the statue removal in 2020 was needed, so we quickly searched and this one was at the top of the search results. There are several points that we’d like to address when reading the article linked to the photo above.
(The excerpt below is linked to the article from the Anson Record.)
Three points of interest in the
excerpt above caught our attention:
- “The statue, erected on January 19, 1906” raises an obvious question.
Why is it in front of a courthouse with ‘1912‘ on its facade? - The article is incorrect with the line, “it was paid for by the Anson Chapter 357 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).” Actually, it was paid for by a ‘private citizen‘ and donated through the UDC.
Why is it thought the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased any part of this monument? - “The UDC’s involvement in building statues to celebrate the Ku Klux Klan as well as their romantic portrayal of the confederacy has been the root of much controversy.”
Does this monument include anything that would be considered propaganda?
We reviewed the article above and saw there is a false narrative at work. It’s interesting that the prevalent understanding is that this monument was provided by the UDC, but it appears there was an attempt made to insulate the purchaser with the donation through the UDC. To the donor’s benefit, a well-respected figure in the county’s history has removed their name entirely from the reported account today.
Knowing the UDC did not purchase the monument and the courthouse construction wasn’t completed until 1914 (dedicated the same year) requires some historical knowledge of these specific parts of the county. How many that work there know this? Do any of them? There is knowledge within the county. That’s what happens when something becomes normalized, though. Why have these monuments not received the attention they’ve required to deal with the issues some had to know were ahead?
Before we go further into the soldiers’ monument, let’s establish a common understanding. This is a multi-page work, so it’ll be better with understandings established here. Would a reasonable person interpret the poem below to glorify or romanticize the specific period of time that “a thousand shining victories” were attained? Would most know that particular time by its commonly known name, with only this poem as a clue?
*No, this poem is not inscribed on the pedestal of the Confederate soldiers’ monument.*
If this poem were on the soldiers’ monument, the discussion would be over and the monument easily considered a piece in glorification of the Confederacy. “A GLORIFIED MEMORY” as the final line is an undeniable link.
The poem may not explicitly state the name of the period, but most would understand the exact segment of history being referenced from only the words within the poem. Seeing the design and inscription above the poem on this work would certainly remove all doubt regarding the subject matter of the poem. This would definitely fit the “romantic portrayal” mentioned in the Anson Record article. It’s a good thing this isn’t on the Confederate soldiers’ monument.
We can all agree that a monument inscribed with the poem above, and falling directly below the seal of the Confederate flag could only be classified in one way. This would be a monument in glorification of the Confederacy and the “pure cause” mentioned in the poem.
The inscription above: TO COMPANIES/ C-14th. /A-23rd./ K-26th. / B-31st. / H-43rd. / l-43rd. / K-43rd. / A-59th. REGIMENTS/ NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS/ AND ANSON SOLDIERS/ IN OTHER COMMANDS.
The Anson Record article included a line about the Scotland County monument being removed because it was “allegedly erected to honor the Confederate dead.” One side of this monument is inscribed with the intent of which it was erected, that exceeds an allegation. This monument states that it is meant to pay respect towards and honor those from Anson County that fought in the companies listed on another side of the pedestal. It also includes any other commands that men from Anson fought under that aren’t named. This can be partially identified as a monument to honor the Confederate soldiers from Anson County. Now, onto the part that provides clarity.
Another Side:
BY THIS MONUMENT WE/ TRANSLATE OUR HOMAGE/ FOR THE SOLDIERS OF/ ANSON COUNTY/ WHO SERVED IN THE WAR/ BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT/ AND THE CONFEDERATE/ STATES.
Another Side:
ERECTED UNDER THE/ AUSPICES OF/ ANSON CHAPTER NO.357 / UNITED DAUGHTERS/ OF THE CONFEDERACY/ JANUARY 19, 1906.
* This side says nothing about UDC purchasing or providing the monument, only that it was erected under their supervision. It might be the use of ‘auspices‘ that creates confusion. That’s probably the exact reason it was used.
The next side becomes problematic with its intended message:
THESE MEN EMBRACED/ THE PRINCIPLES OF/ THEIR LEADERS./ THEY BELIEVED OUR/ SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS/ AND OUR RIGHT OF LOCAL/ SELF-GOVERNMENT/ IMPERILED BY THE AVOWED/ HOSTILITY OF A LARGE/ SECTION OF THE UNION./ THEY RESISTED WITH EVERY DEVICE OF/ HONORABLE WARFARE./ THE GLORY AND GRIEF OF/ BATTLE WON AND LOST/ SOLDERED THEM.
“THESE MEN EMBRACED THE PRINCIPLES OF THEIR LEADERS. THEY BELIEVED OUR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OUR RIGHT OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT”
“What “principles of their leaders” are being embraced? It’s definitely not a reference to principles like integrity, responsibility, honor, or any other universally understood principle with a common understanding. These were principles that made them unique and different from a Union soldier. The difference between the end result each side was fighting to preserve, a difference of causes. These were ‘principles’ the leaders and men under their command had uniformly embraced as the cause they would fight to protect. The Union soldier didn’t possess or believe in these same principles. The “social institutions” they believed are one thing, and their perceived right to local self-government was the ability to keep that one thing intact. The principles embraced by one side was a belief in a supremacy, and this belief fully supported the institution of slavery.
The use of ‘our’ attributes these held beliefs to past generations, and those same beliefs are projected onto future generations with the use of the word.
Those being ‘our‘ contemporary beliefs is conveyed merely by its continued presence where it stands.
Of 109 North Carolina Civil War monuments, this potentially time-jumping piece is unique for a reason other than possibly defying the normal process of time. The pedestal alone (without the bronze soldier standing at the Attention (Order Arms) position above) seems menacing with an understanding of the intended message stated on its base. The foundation the Confederate soldier once stood upon. Keep that in mind as we work to figure out why the courthouse and this monument are raising questions on the normal process of time.
“Erected on Jan. 19, 1906 at a cost of $3,000, the monument sits beside the walkway to the steps to the Anson County Courthouse.”
– Copied and pasted out of the Commemorative Landscapes profile for the monument and went with it like they’ve never seen it in the middle of the walkway. Normalization causes some to accept what they know is false. How many of us are guilty of the same things with other things, or possibly this very thing. There are now questions on what this profile was based on and how that location description is included.
Please DO NOT tear down any civil war monuments after reading this page!!!!!!!!
The United Daughters of the Confederacy or the Sons of the Confederacy, depending on the monument, have insurance policies covering these monuments for exorbitant amounts.
Removing these monuments in any way but a lawful one will only make them stronger.
CLICK HERE to see if a verification of How Time Works will be provided with additional investigation.
