Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907)) is known for his many extraordinary sculptural creations, many of them on display at his studio in Cornish, New Hampshire where we have visited several times. The Civil War inspired many great sculptures, not only of Abraham Lincoln, but of the leaders and commanders on both sides in this epic struggle. But Saint-Gauden’s Shaw memorial in Boston is certainly unique among them. Conceived as a memorial to Union officer, Col. Robert Shaw of Boston, the memorial also depicts many of the soldiers under his command, African American troops of the 54th Massachusetts. Formed in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation the unit fought in the attack on Ft. Wagoner, South Carolina where many were killed in a heroic attack, as was Shaw.
The story of the 54th Massachusetts is told in the popular film Glory. The film met with critical praise and helped to launch the careers of a number of young African American actors (including Denzel Washington), while awakening many to an awareness of the role of African American troops in the war. But there is more to the story.
The unit was posted to South Carolina coast and participated in the occupation of the Georgia port of Darien at the mouth of the Altamaha River. The river flowed through some of the richest rice producing plantations in the south and Darien was at the time an important shipping depot for the rice crop. Carried by ship to Darien, the regiment met with little resistance-the town had been evacuated- and officers planned an upriver reconnoiter. They were fired upon -some say by a lone planter- and continued on their way. But returning down river, the ship fired its big guns on the plantation house and destroyed it. And, the regiment burned the town of Darien before departing for South Carolina. Justifiable? That’s for others to sort out, but the story itself is part of our heritage. And it is impossible to deny the valor shown by the 54th’s attack on Fort Wagoner-though the wisdom of such an attack has been questioned in retrospect.
Sculpture is a passion of mine and we have driven many times to distant places to see great sculpture. August Saint-Gauden’s place in Cornish must certainly be one of the most beautiful sites in the federal parks system, and the number of Saint-Gaudens works on display is incredible. Those who recall Saint-Gaudens today, recognize his work in creating new designs for the US currency during the Theodore Roosevelt Administration-especially “Walking Liberty.”
Saint-Gaudens work also includes the “Diana” statue that once stood atop Madison Square Garden, but it is claimed that it was inspired by the figure of the wife of a wealthy man (Harry Thaw) whose wife’s heart (and more perhaps) was won over by the advances of the celebrity architect Stanford White, who designed Madison Square Garden. Stanford was shot by the angry husband for his efforts and Thaw was committed to an insane asylum.
History is irony in action. Darien was founded by Scots soldiers who served under founder General James Oglethorpe. Staunch Presbyterians, they protested vigorously when the Crown approved of the introduction of slavery on Georgia plantations. Several of their families later became part of the plantation aristocracy.
Your writing again is soooo interesting. And I adore your humor – beautiful. Makes me laugh every time I read it again. I think I might have seen the Saint-Gaudens “Diana” statue or a copy at Brookgreen Gardens – inland of Pauley’s Island, SC south of Myrtle Beach. And thank you for your comment about the Altamaha River feeding more water into the Atlanta than any other single river!!!!!!!! I have spent time in the Okefenokee and learned that its’ water go to both the Gulf and the Atlantic, depending on which side of the Eastern Divide it is on. And the Eastern Continental Divide runs right through the swamp. What an interesting area. And now Georgia conservancy is trying to muster forces to stop a mining company from mining right at the swamp – of course this mining endeavor would “never” pollute or affect the swamp in any way…so says the mining company. Thank you again for your great article.
Marnette,
Just an afterthought: I think you are correct about the Diana statue being in Brookgreen which we visited several years back. Really lovely place for anyone who loves sculpture. I also recall that nearby was a wonderful daylily farm where we bought several plants-which are still coming up in our garden. Wondered of course what you thought of the format “Connections.” I have done several earlier without realizing it-for example the one that links Warm Springs with Mitchell, Georgia byway of my great uncle born in Mitchell and later mayor of Warm Springs and friend of FDR in the twenties.
Joe
Darien is one of my favorite places. Skipper’s Fishing Camp has THE best grouper, Brunswick stew and collards.
Presbyterians notwithstanding, the two Episcopalian churches are beautiful.
Pam,
Thanks for reading. Hope you are well! The Altamaha is the setting for one of my reviews, the novel River of Kings- an excellent read. It is a little-known fact that the Altamaha empties more water in into the Atlantic than any single river on the east coast of the US (Chesapeake Bay empties into the Atlantic but its waters are are fed by several distinct rivers.
Best,
Joe