Monument to Delaware Confederates Unveiled Successfully May 12th

Nearly 300 members of the general public and invited guests attended a Delaware Confederate soldiers monument unveiling ceremony sponsored by the “Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2068” on May 12th at the Nutter B. Marvel Museum in Georgetown, Delaware. The monument honors the state’s citizens and soldiers who supported or enlisted in Southern armies during the “War Between the States” 1861-1865.

The day’s highlights included proclamations by Georgetown, Delaware Mayor Mike Wyatt and Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner declaring that May 12-18 is “Confederate History Week” in the town and throughout the state of Delaware. There were musket volleys, cannon salutes, a wreath laying ceremony, and descendants of several of the soldiers on hand to witness the event. Dirt from each of the Confederate states was spread at the base of the monument to give it a firm foundation in Southern soil. The band “Breaking Nu Ground” performed afterwards to entertain the crowd.

Noted Southern Patriot H.K. Edgerton led the crowd in singing “Dixie” and performed his rendition of “I am their Flag”. He spoke passionately about the need to preserve Southern History.

The monument features the names of over 70 Delawareans who fought in Southern Armies or supported the Confederate war effort including Lt. General Leonidas Polk and Delaware Governor William Henry Harrison Ross. There is a 9 foot obelisk and it is flanked by 25 foot flag poles on each side, one featuring the Delaware flag and the other featuring the Confederate battle flag. A Confederate battle flag is inscribed upon the obelisk and features a 14th star – for Delaware.

Delaware, a border state during the war, never left the Union, but it is estimated up to as many as 2,000 of her native sons joined Southern armies. There are monuments honoring those who joined the Federal armies, at Gettysburg and Sharpsburg Battlefields as well as other places, but none – until now – recognizing the sacrifices of Delawareans who supported the Cause of independence and efforts of the Confederate States between 1861-1865.

More names of many Delaware’s Confederate soldiers will be added to the monument as research reveals their identities. Anyone with names of possible Delaware Confederate soldiers is asked to contact the Monument Committee through the “Delaware Grays” website at www.DESCV.org.

The monument is located at the non-profit Nutter B. Marvel Museum, 510 South Bedford Street, Georgetown. The museum includes a collection of historic buildings and horse drawn carriages as well as thousands of historical photographs, newspaper clippings, books and other memorabilia about Georgetown, Sussex County, and Delaware.