The Louisiana State Memorial along West Confederate Avenue on Seminary Ridge was dedicated on June 11, 1971. The cost was $100,000, and the sculptor was Donald Delue, who had sculpted the Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy Memorial in 1965. In 1973 he would create the Mississippi State Memorial. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 6:45 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
The best time of day to take photographs of the Confederate Monuments along Seminary Ridge is in the morning when the sun illumninates the front of the monuments. Wednesday morning, the Gettysburg Daily visited the Louisiana State Memorial. It was dedicated in 1971. The sculptor was Donald Delue, who had sculpted the Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy Memorial for its dedication in 1965. In 1973 he would create the Mississippi State Memorial.
The monument, which was cast of polished green bronze in Italy, features on top, the 10 foot tall figure of the “Spirit of the Confederacy.” She is also known as Saint Barbara, the patron-saint of artillerymen. She is holding a flaming cannon ball in her right hand. St. Barbara lived in Asia Minor around 300 A.D. After she was converted to Christianity, her wealthy father had her condemned to death by beheading. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 6:45 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
After returning from the execution, he was said to be struck by a lightning bolt which incinerated his body. Because of his fate, Barbara came to be known as the patron to be called upon to protect one in a storm. With the invention of gunpowder, and frequent accidental explosions because of its use, Saint Barbara also became known as the patron-saint of artillery. Because of her muscular build, she is also known on the Gettysburg battlefield as “Barbara on Steroids.” This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 6:45 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
At the bottom of the statue is a nine foot long artilleryman representing a member of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, which fought in this area, and became the basis for the statue located here. He is covered with a Confederate Flag, which the dying man is holding close to his heart. Donald Delue’s trademark is the exaggerated size of the hands and feet on his figures. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 6:45 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
This marker is located northwest of the monument, along West Confederate Avenue. Louisiana had approximately 3031 soldiers engaged at the Battle of Gettysburg. 724 of them were casualties for a loss of 23.9%. This percentage placed Louisiana 22nd in rank of all the states that had soldiers at Gettysburg. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 6:45 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.