Buckingham County: The Confederate Monument
The magazine, Confederate Veteran (VOL. XVIII), printed the following announcement concerning the dedication of the Confederate Monument at Buckingham County Court House:
THE BUCKINGHAM (VA.) MONUMENT
On June 30, 1908, a double ceremony took place in Buckingham, VA, when the corner stone was dedicated and the shaft unveiled for the beautiful monument, the occasion bringing to that city the largest crowd that had ever assembled there. Veterans, Sons of Veterans, and the women whose part in the war had been so noble had gathered to do honor to the well-loved soldiers. Mr. A. C. Garnett read Lee’s farewell speech at Appomattox, and Judge R. T. W. Duke, of Charlottesville, made a very fine address, as did Col. R. T. Hubbard and Hon. E. W. Hubbard.
The corner stone had a vault for receiving relics, and was laid by Masonic ceremonies, after which the handsome shaft was unveiled by Comrade Megginson, who being an invalid, was wheeled in front of the monument in his chair. The selection of this comrade for the honor was in compliment to his well-established reputation as a solder. His cool daring was well exemplified by one incident in his career. He had been sent by Gen. Stonewall Jackson to reconnoiter and came upon twelve men in close conference. Megginson at once shouted, “Here they are, men. Charge!” adding a peremptory call for them to throw down their arms. Thinking at least a company of men must be behind their unseen challenger, the Federals obeyed at once, and Megginson “double-quicked” them to the camp of General Jackson, who in surprise asked if the men were unarmed that they allowed one man to capture twelve!
The inscription on the handsome shaft is to commemorate the devotion and heroism of the Confederate soldiers of Buckingham County, who valued principle more than life and fought for a cause they knew to be right.
Can anyone comment about the contents of the “relics” in the corner stone vault?
slate river ramblings . . . . 
There is an article about it at the Historic Buckingham Village. Probably also at the Housewright house. There were pictures and everything, though I don’t have a copy of the document.
Kimberly, Perhaps someone will comment with details.
Great post, Joanne! My gg-grandfather, William Henry Duncan (a Civil War veteran who served with the Howardsville Grays throughout the war), died July 26, 1909 and I have often wondered if he might have been present at the dedication of the monument in Buckingham in 1908. He was living in Alleghany Co. in 1900 but family records say that he died in Buckingham Co. (no burial record has been found yet.) Born in Nelson Co. on Oct. 4, 1845 and residing in Buckingham Co. at the start of the war, he enlisted with the 19th Va Infantry, Co. D (Howardsville Grays) on Apr 19, 1861 in Howardsville. He was mustered in at Charlottesville on May 10, 1861. Between May 1861 and August 1864, he served as a private but was listed as a lieutenant on a roll of POWs paroled at Farmville, Va. in April 1865 (had been present until then.)
Do you know if any other pictures exist of this gathering (or any other gathering) of civil war veterans from Buckingham Co.?
Dave, I will be posting other photos and, yes, there are some of veterans, though mostly unidentified.
The cornerstone was opening on its centennial. I heard everything was in great shape. I do not know where it went of if anything was put in its place.
Thanks Steven. Let’s hope someone has a list of contents!