Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

1. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker

Inscription. One of two native Georgians who served as generals in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, Montgomery C. Meigs was born here on May 3, 1816, grandson of a University of Georgia president. After graduating from West Point, he oversaw construction of some of Washington D.C.'s greatest engineering feats, including the U.S. Capitol dome. Meigs became Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army in 1861, coordinating the massive supply effort throughout the Civil War, and continuing in that position until he retired in 1882. His organizational genius created an efficient war machine that helped defeat the Confederacy. In 1864, Meigs ordered that Arlington, the confiscated plantation of Robert E. Lee's wife, be used for military burials, creating the nation's premier national cemetery. Meigs was buried there when he died Jan. 2, 1892.

Erected 2012 by Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Battlefields Association, and Historic Augusta, Inc. for the Civil War 150 Commemoration. (Marker Number 121-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

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In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1944.

Location. 33° 28.45′ N, 81° 57.783′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is at the intersection of Broad Street (U.S. 1) and Seventh Street, on the right when traveling east on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 662 Broad Street, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgia Railroad and Banking Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Emily Harvie Thomas Tubman (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Site in Journalism (about

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

2. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker

400 feet away); Augusta Confederate Monument (about 500 feet away); The Rotary Club of Augusta (about 600 feet away); Major Ferdinand Phinizy (about 600 feet away); First Christian Church (about 600 feet away); Colonel William Few, Jr. (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . . Montgomery C. Meigs. Excerpt:

Montgomery Cunningham Meigs (/ˈmɛɡz/; May 3, 1816 – January 2, 1892) was a career United States Army officer and military and civil engineer, who served as Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army during and after the American Civil War. Although a Southerner from Georgia, Meigs strongly opposed secession and supported the Union. His record as Quartermaster General was regarded as outstanding, both in effectiveness and in ethical probity, and Secretary of State William H. Seward viewed Meigs' leadership and contributions as key factors in the Union victory in the war.

Meigs was one of the principal architects of Arlington National Cemetery. Meigs's decision to locate the cemetery on Robert E. Lee's family estate, Arlington House, was partly a gesture to humiliate
Photographed by Wikipedia

3. Major-General Montgomery C. Meigs
Lee for siding with the Confederacy.

(Submitted on May 25, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

4. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Augusta (Georgia) street scene: waiting for the dedication ceremony to begin. The (covered) marker is at the far left.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

5. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO, Georgia Historical Society, welcomed attendees and introduced guests.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

6. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Mr. Fred Russell, City Administrator for Augusta-Richmond County, welcomed attendees to Augusta.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

7. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Mr. Wyck Knox, Jr., a member of the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical Society, introducte the Keynote Speaker.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

8. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

General Montgomery C. Meigs, USA (Ret.), President and CEO, Business Executives for National Security, gave the Keynote Address. General Meigs is the great-great-great-grandnephew of General Meigs, the subject of the marker. General Meigs is a West Point graduate who received a PhD from the University of Wisconsin. The rank of General (or four-star general or full general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Army. There have been only 220 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Army.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

9. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Dr. Groce presented Gen. Meigs with a copy of Elizabeth Brown Prior's book, Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

10. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

Mr. Charles Crawford, President of the Georgia Battlefields Association (at right), spoke for the unveiling of the marker.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

11. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

The marker was unveiled by Gen. Meigs, Mr. Knox, Mr. Russell, and Dr. Groce as Mr. Crawford looked on.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

12. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

The marker dedicated and unveiled.

Photographed by David Seibert, December 7, 2012

13. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. Marker Dedication

The Fort Gordon Color Guard prepares to retire the colors at the conclusion of the dedication.

Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. at Arlington National Cemetery, as mentioned. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 16, 2011

14. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. at Arlington National Cemetery, as mentioned.

Meigs died in 1892, and was buried in Section One of Arlington Cemetery, less than one hundred feet from Mrs. Lee's rose garden. Plot: Section 1, Lot 1, Grid N-32.5

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,347 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on December 16, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 14. submitted on December 16, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.