McGowan's Brigade Monument | Home
Our mission, quite simply, is to erect a monument at the "Bloody Angle" in honor of the fighting men from South Carolina, "McGowan's Brigade". The planned date for the dedication of the monument is May 9th, 2009. This is a project of the Brig. Gen. Samuel McGowan Camp # 40, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Laurens, S.C.
The proposed monument to McGowan's Brigade is being supported by a wide range of impressive people. U.S. Congressman Gresham Barrett has pledged his support in making this happen. State Senator Danny Verdin and Representative Mike Pitts from the state of South Carolina have promised their backing. The legislature of South Carolina has passed a resolution in support of our effort.
South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office Historian and Author J. Tracy Power has offered the support of his branch of government for the monument. Superintendent Russ Smith , Chief Historian John Hennessy, Historian Eric Mink and Historian Stacy Humphrey, all of Fredericksburg / Spotsylvania Court House National Military Park are 100% behind putting a monument at the Bloody Angle. Respected historian and author Mac Wyckoff has been very supportive.
Nationally known author Gordon C. Rhea, who has written critically acclaimed books concerning the May thru July 1864 battles between the armies of Lee and Grant, has given his total support and will give the dedication speech at the monument unveiling.
Artist Mort Kunstler has assisted us in our fundraising efforts.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans, National and the South Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans are behind the project.
Walmart Corporation has donated $1000 to the effort. (Click here to see photo of check presentation)
Descendants of soldiers known to have fought in the battle, as well as SCV camps, have been making donations to ensure that this monument is erected.
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Proposed Monument Design
(Furman Architects, Greenwood, South Carolina)
[Text on monument] :
The Bloody Angle
In the rainy gloom of May 12, 1864, Brigadier General Samuel McGowan's brigade of South Carolinians battled their way into the disputed earthworks at what is now known as the Bloody Angle. For 18 hours they held these works against thousands of Union attackers only yards away. At times, hand-to-hand combat raged. By battle's end dead, wounded, and blood-stained water covered the bottom of the trenches.
McGowan's men, along with Mississippians, Alabamians, and North Carolinian's of other brigades, held their ground long enough for General Robert E. Lee to establish a new battle line 1,500 yards to the rear. In the pre-dawn hours of May 13, the exhausted survivors of McGowan's Brigade withdrew from this line. They left behind 451 killed, wounded, or missing; more than one-third of the men who entered the battle.
To the brave and heroic men of McGowan's Brigade this monument is dedicated.
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South Carolina
McGowan's Brigade
Commanding: Brig. Gen. Samuel McGowan
Orr's Rifles
Commanding: LTC. George McD. Miller
First Regiment
Commanding: Col. C.W. McCreary
Twelfth Regiment
Commanding: Maj. T. S. Clyburn
Thirteenth Regiment
Commanding: Col. B. T. Brockman
Fourteenth Regiment
Commanding: Col. J. N. Brown
Brigadier General Samuel McGowan Camp #40
South Carolina Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans
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The small boulders on each side of the monument will be of native granite,
from the counties of Laurens and Abbeville.
The monument itself will be made from Georgia stone, as it is more suited for the purpose.
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View from Top
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Click on images below to see larger, more detailed photos
(these are the current monuments at the Bloody Angle)
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(Continually----- please be patient with us)We are currently finalizing the design and beginning fundraising efforts. If there is any way you can help, financially or otherwise, please
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[We are a 501 (C) (3) classified, (non profit) organization, therefore all donations are tax deductible.]