Louisiana State Memorial and the "Legend" of Saint Barbara.
"Peace and Memory"
Donald DeLue's original model of the Louisiana State Memorial at Gettyburg. The female figure as explaned by the sculptor is "Spirit Triumphant."
Even before I was a battlefield guide I often heard the Louisiana Memorial described as "Saint Barbara" the Patron saint of artilleryman. As I understood it, the flaming ball in the figures right hand was to represent a cannon ball.
However the sculptor that created this wonderful work of art never mentioned this idea. The sculptor, Donald DeLue titled this work "Peace and Memory." His description of this memorial's female figure was "Spirit Triumphant, symbolizing the survival of the spirit and ideas of these men... that they did not die in vain. The eternal flame held in the other hand of the female figure, symbolizes the memory of these gallant men. It is the embodiment of the spirit that went into the Battle of Gettysburg with them. The laurel tree which supports this symbolic figure is in two parts. One represents the North; one the South. It is now one tree trunk united by the dove of Peace which has now come to the Battlefield of Gettysburg and to the Nation."
From what I can find, DeLue never mentions "Saint Barbara" in any of his correspondence in regards to this memorial. The Louisiana Gettysburg Memorial Commission, who awarded DeLue the commission, indicated the monument was intended to express the ideals of sacrifice of the past and of hope and peace in the future. Again, no mention of Saint Barbara.
The medallion of the Order of Saint Barbara.
Saint Barbara as accounts indicate was the daughter of a pagan named Dioscorus. When Barbara, unknown by her father converted to Christianity he had her torture and killed. Her father, who had carried out the death sentence was then struck by lightning and his body consumed.
Today the United States Field Artillery Association and the United States Army Air Defense Association maintain the Order of Saint Barbara as an honorary society. A medallion struck by the Order depicts Saint Barbara on one side and a cannon with stacked cannonballs on the other. This medallion looks nothing like the Louisiana State Memorial.
Today the United States Field Artillery Association and the United States Army Air Defense Association maintain the Order of Saint Barbara as an honorary society. A medallion struck by the Order depicts Saint Barbara on one side and a cannon with stacked cannonballs on the other. This medallion looks nothing like the Louisiana State Memorial.
 Donald DeLue's original clay maquette of "Spirit Triumphant." Delue's original model depict a recumbent soldier holding an artillery rammer. This feature would be removed from the final memorial in order to honor all Louisiana soldiers from all branches of the the army.
Hearing the state of Louisiana was wanting to erect a monument at Gettysburg, sculptor Donald DeLue would create a small clay scale model or maquette he named "Peace and Memory." Having completed the Soldier's and Saylor's of the Confederacy Memorial at Gettysburg and other works, DeLue was already well known. DeLue's design would be reviewed by the Louisiana Gettysburg Memorial Commission. Twenty Five sculptors would provide works for review with the Commission selecting only three finalists. DeLue was selected as one of the three finalists.
Each of the three finalist would be given one day to present their work and explain their thoughts behind their design. For his presentation to the Committee, DeLue would photograph his model and have it superimposed over a photograph of the location on the battlefield where the memorial would be erected. As part of his design DeLue would include a viewing walkway around the memorial. On October 16th 1968 by unanimous vote the Committee would select DeLue to sculpt the Louisiana State Memorial. One aspect of the design submitted by DeLue that was changed was the recumbent soldier. On DeLue's original design this soldier was holding an artillery rammer. Since the state wanted to honor all Louisianan's regardless of branch of service the rammer was removed.  Red crushed brick or stone surrounds the Louisiana State Memorial when dedicated June 11, 1971. Note the statue is gold in color or the original bronze.
When the memorial was dedicated in June, 1971 there was a red gravel walkway surrounding the memorial. Today, unfortunately this walkway is now gone.
Some may wish to refer to the Louisiana State Memorial as "Saint Barbara", however this was not the intention of the creator of this memorial or the committee that commissioned it. |
DeLue would superimpose an image of the proposed memorial over a picture of where the memorial would be placed on the battlefield. Note DeLue's idea of a pathway around the memorial.
The female figure "Spirit Triumphant" as DeLue noted "symbolizes the survival of the spirit and ideas of these men....that they did not die in vain." The "eternal flame", held in the other hand of the female figure, symbolizes the memory of these gallant men. It is NOT a flaming cannon ball nor was it intended to represent one.
"Peace and Memory" bronze memorial, Gettysburg Pennsylvania.
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