CSA Cemetery Marker Moves Across Street

A stone marker honoring 51 Confederate soldiers has been moved to its final resting spot. Following nearly two years of legal and bureaucratic red tape, the marker was hoisted into place on the grounds of Maury Commons early yesterday morning. Earlier this year, the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans l

"Now I don't have to drive past here every day to make sure it's not gone," said Roy Perry, a Lt. Commander of the Matthew Fontaine Maury chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. "

The marker notes the presence of 51 Confederate graves located on the southern side of the Maury Commons property. Immediately to the north lies another historic but all but vanished black cemetery called Potters Field. 

Matt Kelly, former and aspiring City Council member, said that he's hoping to have a marker for the black cemetery done by the end of the month, as per an agreement with the Maury Commons Condominium Association.

The Confederate soldiers buried at Maury Commons were interred there before the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. The graves belong to soldiers from across the Confederacy. They most likely were the victims of infectious diseases which plagued both armies during the Civil War.

The stone's journey dates back to April 2009, when the SCV received an excavation permit from the city and quickly installed and commemorated the marker. Four months later, in September 2009, the City Council succumbed to pressure from the Fredericksburg Area Veterans Association and voted to move the SCV marker off site. In November 2009, the SCV sued the city to prevent the removal of the marker, but eventually lost. In court,

"The stuff with the city is what really put a sour taste in our mouth," said local SCV commander John Martin. "They definitely let us know what it was all about."

His comment referenced a historical and political context through which members of the SCV have perceived the debate over the location of the monument, viewing it as part of an overall suppression of Confederate history and perspectives on the Civil War. 

Almost immediately following the ruling authorizing the removal of the marker from its current spot

After , the SCV obtained the necessary permissions to move the monument across the street. With the help of crews from the Oak Hill cemetery, the stone was hoisted with a front end loader across the street and gently aligned into place. 

"Give Doug Fawcett credit where it's due," said Perry, praising the director of public works for his help in getting the group through the final bits of red tape and pitching in with city resources to aid in the move. "It looks like he's the one who wears the pants in the city, Bob Crossen too, they did a fine job."

The Fredericksburg Public Works Department constructed a new footer for the monument at no cost to the SCV. In turn, the SCV moved  the stone across the street to the new site from its former location on the traffic island. The SCV also placed paving stones leading from the sidewalk to the marker, so that no grass is trampled, a key concern for members of the condominium association.

A re-dedication ceremony may be planned, but the details have yet to be thoroughly discussed by the members. Roy Perry has previously said that he plans on inviting as many city dignitaries as he can to any ceremony which may be held. 

"These guys just needed to be remembered," said Perry.