monument before damages monument as it is today

A BRIEF HISTORY     The founding ladies of the Bethel Heroes Chapter wanted to erect a statue in memory of those who served the Confederacy during the War Between the States. Through bake sales and other fundraisers, they worked hard to try to gain the monies needed. In 1917, Colonel Robert H. Ricks, CSA, a Rocky Mount native, bought the monument, had it erected, and dedicated to his comrades -- especially the Bethel Heroes. With Colonel Ricks' gracious gift, the ladies used their raised monies to purchase an ambulance and hospital bed for use in Europe in World War I and also sponsored a war orphan.     The Rocky Mount Confederate Monument is the state's tallest Confederate monument east of Raleigh and is the same height as the one on the Capitol grounds in Raleigh. It is constructed of Georgia Marble and has four soldiers -- infantry, cavalry, artillery, and an officer -- on pedestals around the base with the flag bearer standing proudly atop the center spire. The monument was commended to the UDC for its care.     Vandalism and age have taken their toll. Two of the lower soldiers have been destroyed and a third soldier has been damaged. The salvageable pieces as well as the undamaged soldier were moved to a warehouse for safekeeping until funds could be raised to restore the monument. The steps of the monument have crumbled and need replacing. INSCRIPTION     The monument is inscribed on each side of the base. On the front, there is the engraved image of three rifles with CSA boldly at the top and 1861-1865 at the bottom. Beside the rifles are these beautiful words: TO THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS OF NASH COUNTY WHO IN 1861 IN OBEDIENCE TO THE SUMMONS OF THEIR STATE FREELY OFFERED THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND THEIR SACRED HONOR IN BEHALF OF THE CAUSE OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY AND SELF GOVERNMENT AND THROUGH FOUR YEARS OF WAR SO BORE THEMSELVES IN VICTORY AND DEFEAT AS TO WIN THE PLAUDITS OF THE WORLD AND SET AN EXAMPLE OF EXALTED AND UNSELFISH PATRIOTISM WHICH WILL EVER BE AN UNFAILING INSPIRATION TO ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS. The inscription on the side facing the parking lot says: THE NAMES OF THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS FROM NASH COUNTY CAN BE FOUND IN THE MEMORIAL VOLUME OF THE VARIOUS LIBRARIES OF THE STATE AND THE CLERKS OFFICE OF NASH COUNTY, N. C. The side away from the parking lot bears these words: THIS MONUMENT IS COMMITTED TO THE CARE OF THE BETHEL HEROES CHAPTER U. D. C. WHO WITH THEIR SISTER DAUGHTERS ARE PERSERVERS OF SOUTHERN IDEALS. The words on the back of the base simply state: THIS MONUMENT ERECTED BY A SURVIVING COMRADE DIRECTIONS     The Confederate Monument is located on Benvenue Road, on the edge of Battle Park in the western part of Rocky Mount. An adjacent parking lot is open during daylight hours. We invite you to see our monument on your next trip to this area. The monument is quite close to major highways. If traveling on US-64 E:     Take Exit 468B - Benvenue Rd / NC-43 / NC-48.     Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp.     The monument is on the left after traveling approximately 1/10 mile on Benvenue Road. If traveling on US-64 W:     Take Exit 468B - Benvenue Rd / NC-43 / NC-48.     Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp.     The monument is on the left after traveling approximately 3/10 mile on Benvenue Road. If traveling on US-301 N:     Take the exit for 48/43/TO I-95.     Turn right at the top of the exit ramp.     The monument is on the left after traveling approximately 7/10 mile on Benvenue Road. If traveling on US-301 S:     Take the exit for 48/43/TO-I-95.     Turn left at the top of the exit ramp.     The monument is on the left after traveling approximately 9/10 mile on Benvenue Road. If traveling on I-95:     Take Exit 138 - US-64 E.     Take US-64 E approximately 6 miles to Exit 468B Benvenue Rd/NC-43/NC-48.     Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp.     The monument is on the left after traveling approximately 1/10 mile on Benvenue Road. To access the parking lot, turn left onto River Rd (the first left after passing the monument and crossing the Tar River - about 4/10 mile from the monument). At the end of the block (approximately 1/10 mile), turn left onto Falls Rd/Benvenue Rd. The parking lot is on the right just before the monument (approximately 2/10 mile).

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