Controversial Confederate Soldier Statue Moves To 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 — was 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.

After over a year of trying to find a spot, the statue was relocated Tuesday morning to White's Ferry, which transports vehicles from Montgomery County across the Potomac River to the Leesburg, Virginia area. The County issued an Invitation for Bid to move the 16-foot tall, 25,000 pound statue, and covered the cost of relocating to White’s Ferry recreation area.

“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.”

White's Ferry 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.

See Also:

• Controversial Confederate Soldier Statue Finds New Home At White's Ferry
• 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 February 2016, Rockville leaders voted 4-1 against accepting the disputed statue at the Beall Dawson Historical Park. 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 “Nonetheless, as originally enacted, it was not, and is not, part of the heritage of all of our residents.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.”

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.”

The statue will have a wrought-iron fence surrounding it at White's Ferry, Montgomery Community Media reports.

Patch File Photo