By Henry Bryant
BATL-The Battle of Atlanta Commemoration Organization has been working since last summer to raise the money to restore Atlanta’s two Civil War battlefield monuments: The McPherson and Walker monuments in East Atlanta. Large donations from the City of Atlanta and smaller ones from other sources have brought the total to over $70,000.
After a donation from the Clyde Heritage League in Clyde, Ohio, McPherson’s hometown, students and teachers at the McPherson Middle School decided to take action. Before Christmas break they finished up a McPherson Monument Penny Drive. The students had visits from Union re-enactors and learned a lot about the battle that took place in our neighborhood here in Georgia. They also learned about the namesake of their school, who was the highest ranking U.S. officer ever killed in battle. In a month they collected enough pennies to match another Ohio donor’s contribution and bring their total to $500.
They have issued a challenge to Georgia students and teachers to match (or beat) their contribution. Not only did the Battle of Atlanta take place here, but General Walker was from Augusta. Snow-days off from school up in Ohio near Lake Erie have piled up with the recurring white stuff and delayed receipt of their contribution to the monument effort until now.
Now BATL has received another contribution of $2500 from the Association of the Stars and Bars. Old time East Atlanta resident, David Floyd, made application for the grant to restore the monuments and the national organization. David wants to challenge other Civil War groups (especially ones from up north) to match or beat their donation. He points out that this is everyone’s history.
Nearly at the halfway point of the total needed to do the work at the two monuments that are owned by the City of Atlanta, BATL has announced ways for the community to become involved in the fundraising drive and the effort to revive these two small city parks. To find out more about the monument restoration call 404-377-6148 or go to www.batlevent.org
Comments are closed.