File:53. Donald DeLue to Supt. Schober, May 5, 1972 (055ee801-253a-4424-a7a0-6db8fe3485a1).jpg

White paper with typed black text and a handwritten signature

May 5, 1972 Mr. Jerry L. Schober Superintendent Gettysburg National Military Park Gettysburg, Pa. 17325 Dear Mr. Schober: Thank you for your letter of April 20th and the very interesting information it contained concerning some of the details on the Mississippi Memorial. I wish to thank both you and Mr. Harrison for that helpful information and for the understanding you both shoed for my problem, as a sculptor creating a fine and original Monument as well as being historically correct and accurate. I appreciate being able to keep the tassels and cord to add interest to the Flag. I have reduced the number of eyelets to five as suggested and tied the flag to the staff with cord. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History made me a fine drawing of a flagstaff head from one of their flags with the notation that tassels were frequently used. I removed all the straps from the Blanket Roll without harm to the design, except the one tie-rope at the right hip. The rifle is a Fayetteville from North Carolina with the stamp CSA. It is a very fine example and the saber bayonette [sic] fits it, and was made for it. The Cartridge pouch with the CSA on it has a thin brass plate attached to the leather. It has the original old brown paper note inside stating that Dr. Perry took it from a captured Confederate soldier at Savannah along with a Tower Musket and Bayonette [sic]. I took a photo of it and if it comes out well I’ll send you a picture. Mr. Tom Crigler, on the Mississippi Commission, who was recently here says he has a half a dozen or so of these brass plates from cartridge boxes and would send me one if I wished. He was most knowledgeable on the war having known hundreds of Confederate Veterans and has a vast collection of arms, etc. He said many of the men never had a bed roll or oil cloth and would take one wherever they could get; and, never let go of it once they it. The entire Mississippi Committee came to my studio on April 28th and they approved wholeheartedly the full sized clay model. The approval was unanimous without dissent of any kind. I am now at liberty to proceed with the Plaster Casting having conformed with all requests and suggestions. My plaster caster wishes to start May 7 as he must leave for England soon. Anything you can do to give the final approval will be appreciated. Thank you again, Donald De Lue

• Keywords: Gettysburg; Gettysburg National Military Park; Photography; monuments; memorials; virtual experience; battlefield