Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Medal, Commemorative |
Catalog Number |
1954.1 |
Date |
ca. 1911 |
Material(s) |
Copper/Enamel |
Description |
This is a United Daughters of the Confederacy commemorative badge. The badge consists of a rectangular bar along the tope that reads, "JOHN HUNT MORGAN / MONUMENT COMMITTEE." A pair of crossed swords hand below the rectangular bar. Below the crosses are a pair of Confederate States of American flags with a medallion featuring a relief image of John Hunt Morgan between the flags. |
Notes |
This badge was worn by a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at the unveiling of the monument to Confederate war hero John Hunt Morgan in downtown Lexington. Throughout Kentucky, various chapters of the UDC -- named for famed Confederate officers or their wives -- erected monuments and memorials to fallen soldiers. In the early twentieth century, the UDC held a design competition for the creation of a memorial statue to John Hunt Morgan. Pompeo Coppini, winner of the contest, created a stir when he designed a stallion for the statue; purists argued that Morgan's favorite horse was a mare named Black Bess, but Coppini insisted that "no hero should bestride a mare!" The United Daughters of the Confederacy, along with the financial support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, erected the John Hunt Morgan Memorial in Lexington, Kentucky on October 18, 1911. The bronze statue, depicting John Hunt Morgan on horseback, was installed on the lawn of the former Fayette County courthouse in a large ceremony presided over by Morgan's brother-in-law and second-in-command General Basil Duke. On August 17, 2017, leaders of the Lexington Coalition "Take Back Cheapside" led a united front that encouraged the Lexington City Council to vote in favor of relocating two Confederate statues at Cheapside. The Lexington council voted unanimously to move two Confederate statues that stood in Lexington's downtown for more than 100 years. On the evening of October 17, 2017, the city of Lexington carried out the removal of the two Confederate statues from the lawn of the former Fayette County courthouse. |
Collection |
United Daughters of the Confederacy Collection |
People |
United Daughters of the Confederacy Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864 |
Search Terms |
United Daughters of the Confederacy UDC |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |