White paper with typed black text

Memorandum To: Regional Director, Northeast From: Assistant Director Subject: Proposed Memorial Design by Donald DeLue, Gettysburg We have reviewed with much interest the proposed model and inscription for a Confederate monument at Gettysburg. The sculptoring [sic], while lacking the restraint of other battlefield statuary, is acceptable to us. The reference to Walter Washington Williams as the last surviving Confederate is highly questionable, if his claim has not indeed been entirely discredited. Unfortunately, for purposes of this nature, the other, and rival, “last survivors” also had slight connection, if any, with the Civil War. Williams received a pension from Texas and from the United States, as well as a gold medal from the latter. He received congratulations from President Eisenhower on his birthday which coincided with that of Mrs. Eisenhower and the Civil War Centennial Commission also honored him. War Department officials have been reticent on the subject, but National Archives census records indicate that he was born in 1853. The Archives war records also repudiate his claim to participation. These facts are called to your attention to suggest the futility of asking the sponsoring organizations to furnish proof of authenticity, as we already can foretell their reply. We suggest that you discuss this with the sponsors and, in view of the controversy, ask them to delete the reference to the last survivor. We are also concerned with the inclusion of Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri as Confederate states. Traditionally the Confederacy consisted of 11 states, excluding the three listed above. Certainly

• Keywords: gettysburg; battlfield; education; virtual experience; photography; monuments; memorials