History Of A Great Monument, To Valiant Soldiers Who Died In Battle For The South
From The Benton County Democrat (1950) - The Century Of Progress Edition- Now the NWA Democrat Gazette
From The Benton County Democrat (1950) - The Century Of Progress Edition- Now the NWA Democrat Gazette
The beautiful park - which occupies the center of the city square - is a proper setting for the monument of "A Confederate Soldier."
This statue was erected in 1908 by A. J. Bates and the James H. Berry Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and dedicated in remembrance of the Southern soldiers dead, [Just for the record, this is not an image of James H. Berry.] Inscriptions on the base of the statue read; "Their names are Borne on Honors Shield. Their Record Is With God," and "They Fought For Home and Fatherland."
The monument was draped in Confederate flags with cords attached for the unveiling. Preceding that afternoon ceremony, of August 8, 1908, a parade of horsedrawn floats which had begun at Park Springs, came to the park. The parade was led by the Bentonville band. The floats were beautifully decorated in Confederate colors, red and white, and the horses were draped in white blankets, trimmed with red and white roses.
This statue was erected in 1908 by A. J. Bates and the James H. Berry Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and dedicated in remembrance of the Southern soldiers dead, [Just for the record, this is not an image of James H. Berry.] Inscriptions on the base of the statue read; "Their names are Borne on Honors Shield. Their Record Is With God," and "They Fought For Home and Fatherland."
The monument was draped in Confederate flags with cords attached for the unveiling. Preceding that afternoon ceremony, of August 8, 1908, a parade of horsedrawn floats which had begun at Park Springs, came to the park. The parade was led by the Bentonville band. The floats were beautifully decorated in Confederate colors, red and white, and the horses were draped in white blankets, trimmed with red and white roses.
This is a postcard of the parade the day of the dedication of the Confederate statue. The event was said to have been the largest event in Bentonville up to that time.
A couple of the decorated floats the day of the statue's dedication
This postcard shows the actual dedication of the statue in progress.
Mrs. Rex W. Peel, soloist, sang "Dixie" and other southern airs. Mrs. Wm. F. Patton, president of the Daughters of the Confederacy, introduced Senator Berry, who in turn introduced Hon. Clifton Breckenridge, who was the principal speaker for the ceremony. Greetings were brought by Miss Sue Walker of Fayetteville, president of the Southern Memorial Association and the State President of the Daughters of the Confederacy. The actual unveiling was done by Miss Kate Terry, daughter of Col. William A. Terry. Miss Terry is now Mrs. Self of Midland, Texas. The date of the unveiling commemorates the battle of Wilson Creek in Missouri, in which many of the Arkansas Confederate soldiers had part.
This is a postcard of the Confederate statue that sat on the Bentonville Square for well over 100 years.
The cost of the statue at that time was $2,500. It has since been removed from the square.
It is located in a new park honoring the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
The cost of the statue at that time was $2,500. It has since been removed from the square.
It is located in a new park honoring the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
For a good many years there were people who wished to build the new court house in the square. There was some agitation along this line. By an order of the Benton County Court, issued on petition, W. S. Floyd, then county judge, deeded to the Daughters of the Confederacy for its preservation, the area now known as the public square park.
The tablet was placed on the monument [a few years later] by the Daughters of the Confederacy in honor of James H. Berry, father of Elliot and Fred Berry of Bentonville. The inscription on this tablet reads: "In loving remembrance and appreciation of this noble life and character." He was known as soldier, statesmen, legislator, jurist, Governor of Arkansas, and United States Senator from this state.
Hon. Clifton Breckenridge, the speaker for the dedication services that afternoon, was the son of the vice-president of the United States, elected in 1856. The speaker was also a former member of Congress and Ambassador to Russia. His father was a Confederate General and Secretary of War in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis.
The establishment of this monument is one of the outstanding achievements of that great organization, the Daughters of the Confederacy, in Northwestern Arkansas. Those now living and those who will follow, in the centuries to come, will view a handiwork of early pioneer women which will be a lasting inspiration for all time to come.
In the opinion of this writer, this is the outstanding marker of those who lived nearly one half century ago, and many of those who had a leading part in the establishment of this monument have passed on. It is quite fitting that this tribute be paid them.
The tablet was placed on the monument [a few years later] by the Daughters of the Confederacy in honor of James H. Berry, father of Elliot and Fred Berry of Bentonville. The inscription on this tablet reads: "In loving remembrance and appreciation of this noble life and character." He was known as soldier, statesmen, legislator, jurist, Governor of Arkansas, and United States Senator from this state.
Hon. Clifton Breckenridge, the speaker for the dedication services that afternoon, was the son of the vice-president of the United States, elected in 1856. The speaker was also a former member of Congress and Ambassador to Russia. His father was a Confederate General and Secretary of War in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis.
The establishment of this monument is one of the outstanding achievements of that great organization, the Daughters of the Confederacy, in Northwestern Arkansas. Those now living and those who will follow, in the centuries to come, will view a handiwork of early pioneer women which will be a lasting inspiration for all time to come.
In the opinion of this writer, this is the outstanding marker of those who lived nearly one half century ago, and many of those who had a leading part in the establishment of this monument have passed on. It is quite fitting that this tribute be paid them.