Confederate Monument - St. Augustine.

[Mike Serpa]

This monument was erected in 1872 on private property, apparently because permission could not be obtained from Reconstruction era authorities to raise a monument to the Confederacy on public property. In 1879 this permission was obtained, paving the way for the construction of the Confederate monument that now stands in Constitution Square.

This original monument stood on the south side of St. George Street, between Bridge and St. Francis streets. It featured a column with a broken shaft, and marble plaques that were removed and used on the new monument. This monument was then apparently taken down.
http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/...tine/csa-monument/sv0950-st-augustine.jpg.php

Florida - Confederate Monument - St. Augustine. Draped for Gen. Lee - c1891.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007686713/
This is the "new" 1879 monument. The date of the photo shows it with the cannonballs top. Any idea why it is draped for Lee?


"...The fourth section is a full tapering column at the very top of the monument concrete cannonballs stacked in the pyramid design. Before the cannonballs were atop the monument there was a small broken column placed there September 11, 1883, as a connection to the original monument's broken column, the 1872 version. [4]

A lightening [sic] strike around 1890 destroyed this part of the monument, leading to the current use of the cannonballs at the memorials top..."
http://www.florida-scv.org/Camp1316/St Augustine Monument Book.pdf

Above site has a photo of the monument with the column top, a short history about both monuments and a List of Honored Dead.

 

[AndyHall]

A broken column is a traditional symbol of mourning or loss.

 

[Mike Serpa]

A broken column is a traditional symbol of mourning or loss.

Thanks for this, Andy. I was wondering if it might signify an unfinished effort. That is, the South's effort was futile.

 

[AndyHall]

According to some sources, also a symbol of a life cut short. So "unfinished effort" is not far off the mark.

 

[Mike Serpa]

According to some sources, also a symbol of a life cut short. So "unfinished effort" is not far off the mark.

A life cut short gives it a more sacred meaning.