Gettysburg Sculptures

In 1968 the Mississippi legislature passed a bill authorizing funds to erect a monument to Mississippi soldiers that fought at Gettysburg. Then Governor John  Williams appointed a commision to proceed with this project.

 Because of his previous works of Southern origin, De Lue would present his idea of the monument to the commission in April 1970. Only thirty six inches in height the commission approved this initial design. With approval of the commission, De Lue would then make a more detailed model approximately five and one-half feet in height.  With final approval, De Lue would create in clay the final monument we see today.

De Lue with the final clay sculpture in May 1972

 After being cast in plaster in June 1972 the sections were sent to Fonderia V. Lera, Italy. In Italy the final castings were made and the monument was assembled, chased and patinated. Shipped to Gettysburg, the monument was mounted in the summer of 1973 awaiting the October dedication.

 The incised Foundry mark.

Although De Lue is noted for his own style he was also a well know sculptor with more natural depictions. Above,  De Lue would sculpt the bust of newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.

 Above is the incised autograph of Donald De Lue on the base of the Mississippi Memorial.

  The view above is what the Mississippi infantrymen of Brig. General William Barksdale's Brigade would see as they formed in line of battle to the east of Pitzer's Woods. Barksdale's Brigade would attack the now famous Peach Orchard then owned by Joseph Sherfy (seen in picture above). Defended by northern troops of Sickle's Third Corps the men of Barksdale's Brigade would soon rout their opponents. Barksdale's Brigade was composed of four Mississippi Infantry Regiments. These four regiments would lose on the afternoon of Thursday, July 2, 1863 nearly 49.7% in killed, wounded and captured of the 1619 men that would start their walk across this field.