Luray in Page County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Confederate Heroes Monument
if their memories part
from our land & heart
and a wrong to them & a shame for us
the glories they won shall not wane for us
in legend & lay
our heroes in gray
shall forever live over again for us.
Ryan
(Back):
both private and chief of the
Southern Confederacy
is this tribute
affectionately inscribed.
(Right):
1861 - 1865.
Erected 1898.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 38° 39.91′ N, 78° 26.904′ W. Marker is in Luray, Virginia, in Page County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (Business U.S. 211) and Resevoir Avenue (County Route 689), on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luray VA 22835, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Chapman-Ruffner House (approx. half a mile away); Cavalry Engagement (approx. 0.6 miles away); Massanutten School (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Slave Auction Block (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fisher’s Hill and Yager’s Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Luray, Virginia Established 1812 (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luray.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Page County Civil War markers
Also see . . . Avenue of Armies: Civil War Sites and Stories of Luray and Page County, Virginia. Repaired broken link; 08/21/2022 LPG. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Monument
According to one source, the Confederate Heroes Monument (also known as "Barbee's Monument") was inspired by a visit by the sculptor to the battlefield of Gettysburg. While Union monuments were numerous, at that time, there was but one for the Confederate soldiers. Whatever the actual inspiration, Herbert Barbee got the idea for the pose from his youth. At some point, upon passing through Thornton's Gap or near his father's birthplace at Hawsberry Inn near panorama, Barbee saw a Confederate sentry standing in a snowstorm with the muzzle of his musket pointe down to keep the snow out.
The "Barbee" Confederate monument was sponsored by donations from private citizens throuhgout the South and even Northern states. Portraying a Confederate soldier without socks, shoes with holes, and tattered clothing, the monument differed from any other known. When placed on the outskirts of town prior to its dedication on July 21, 1898, locals thought it an odd place. However, over time the town of Luray has grown to encompass the monument within its limits today.
It is possible that the local Confederate veterans did not think much of the monument. When dedicated, no Confederate veterans were on the program nor were any identified as having marched in the grand procession that was a part of the dedication day. On that day, however, the veterans were having a picnic within about 150 yards of the monument site. In 1912, the members of the local camp of United Confederate Veterans (the Rosser-Gibbons Camp) began raising funds for a monument of their own. That monument was dedicated in 1918 and is located .8 miles to the SW, along Cave Street.
— Submitted February 5, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Additional keywords. Herbert Barbee
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,948 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on February 25, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.