Controversial Confederate Soldier Statue Finds New Home At White's Ferry

ROCKVILLE, MD — The controversial Confederate soldier statue — a focus of community debate since it was vandalized with graffiti and residents and leaders disagreed on where to keep the monument — will soon be relocated from it’s box in the front of the Red Brick Courthouse to a private property at White’s Ferry in Dickerson in northwestern Montgomery County. County Executive Ike Leggett announced the move Tuesday afternoon, after over a year of trying to find a location.

Rockville leaders voted 4-1 against accepting the disputed statue at the Beall Dawson Historical Park in February 2016. Many felt a monument tied to slavery or the Confederacy was inappropriate, but there were a slew of others reasons why the statue was turned down, including costs of lighting, maintenance and security.

“I fully understand that the statue reflects a piece of County history and that many County residents are proud of the sacrifices and bravery shown by their ancestors,” said Leggett. “Nonetheless, as originally enacted, it was not, and is not, part of the heritage of all of our residents. When originally constructed and placed on County property, it failed to reflect both sides of this unfortunate struggle in our history. That is why I strongly opposed keeping this statue on County property and wanted to move it to another location in the County that would be accessible to County residents.”

White’s Ferry transports vehicles from Montgomery County across the Potomac River to the Leesburg, Virginia area. It dates back to 1782 and is one of the last of the many ferries which once crossed the Potomac. The ferry is named after the confederate Civil War General Jubal A. Early, according to the website.

“I am happy to provide a place for the statue to be relocated,” said R. Edwin Brown, attorney for White’s Ferry, Inc. “Those who wish to visit it will be able to do just that.”

The County issued an Invitation for Bid to move the 16-foot tall, 25,000 pound statue, and will cover the cost of moving and relocating it to the White’s Ferry recreation area.

See Also: Controversial Confederate Soldier Statue Listed On Craigslist, Controversial Confederate Soldier Statue To Be Relocated Soon, Removal of Confederate Memorials Weighed 150 Years After Civil War, Confederate Monument Vandalized in Rockville, What Should Rockville, County Do With Confederate Statue?

In July 2016, the 11,000-pound statue was vandalized. "Black Lives Matter" and other phrases were graffitied onto the statue, which prompted city officials to keep the statue boxed up in front of the court house as it remains today.

Leggett said the vandalism was a “despicable act” that dishonored County veterans and was “not in keeping with Montgomery County’s long history of civil discourse.”

Before figuring out the location, council member Tom Hucker placed the statute up for sale for $1,000 on Craigslist.

"What would you do if it were in your garage, and you didn’t want it anymore? That’s how I looked at it,” Hucker told Montgomery Community Media.

Hucker said relocating the statue would cost money that would likely take funding away from schools or parks.

A Patch reader sent us a screenshot of the alleged Craigslist posting, though Patch cannot verify this since the posting has since been deleted.

The posting reads: "This posting is to assess market interest in purchasing this historical item for private display. I am not the owner but I am in contact with the owners. Serious inquiries only. Buyer is responsible for relocating statue."

It seems that some residents think the listing was inappropriate.

"I am appalled that anyone in government would approach the removal of a military monument honoring the sacrifice of veterans in such a crass fashion. Have these people no shame?," a Patch user emailed. "Clearly, citizens are entitled to know the actions taken by their representative government, especially when such actions appear to be couched in secrecy to avoid public scrutiny."