Current Events

Published on May 12th, 2017 | by Newt Rayburn

The Majestic Orator: Photographs of the Jefferson Davis Monument in New Orleans by Newt Rayburn

These photographs were shot by Oxford, Mississippi photographer Newt Rayburn in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 2, 2016.

A photograph of the unveiling of the Jefferson Davis Monument in New Orleans, February 22, 1911.

This sculpture of Jefferson Davis was designed and built by Richmond, Virginia artist Edward Virginius Valentine in the early 1900’s.

An undated photograph of the Jefferson Davis Monument in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy commissioned the statue and requested that Davis appear “as a statesman, standing and addressing the people.”

The bronze statue stood just over eight feet tall and was mounted on a thirteen square foot granite pedestal.

Separate from the monument was a site dedication stone that was dated June 3, 1908.

The monument was officially dedicated on February 22, 1911 and stood at the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Jefferson Davis Parkway for 106 years.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, May 11, 2017, under the cover of darkness, a clandestine SWAT squad and over 300 armed police mobilized by the City of New Orleans hastily removed the monument and took it to an unknown location.

_____

The Jeff Davis Monument on January 2, 2016, at the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans, Louisisana. Photograph © 2016 Newt Rayburn – newtrayburn@gmail.com

The Jeff Davis Monument on January 2, 2016, at the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans, Louisisana. Photograph © 2016 Newt Rayburn – newtrayburn@gmail.com. The inscription on the monument reads: “THE SOUTH, SEEKING A LEADER, FOR HER HIGHEST OFFICE, CHOSE HIM FROM AMONG HER FITTIST MEN. A PROFOUND STUDENT OF THE CONSTITUTION; A MAJESTIC ORATOR; IN CHARACTER FIRM; IN JUDGMENT SOUND; IN PURPOSE RESOLUTE.” Below appears the seal of Confederacy surrounded by palm branches and oak leaves, emblematic of strength and peace, along with thirteen stars representing the number of states in the Confederacy.

The Jeff Davis Monument on January 2, 2016, at the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans, Louisisana. Photograph © 2016 Newt Rayburn – newtrayburn@gmail.com. Inscription reads, “ERECTED THROUGH THE PATRIOTIC EFFORTS OF THE JEFFERSON DAVIS MONUMENT ASSOCIATION OF NEW ORLEANS, LA. DEDICATED FEBRUARY 22ND 1911. ‘HIS NAME IS ENSHRINED IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SUFFERED, AND HIS DEEDS ARE FOREVER WEDDED TO IMMORTALITY.'”

The Jeff Davis Monument dedication stone on January 2, 2016, at the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans, Louisisana. Photograph © 2016 Newt Rayburn – newtrayburn@gmail.com. Inscription reads, “SITE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS MONUMENT DEDICATED JUNE 3RD 1908”

Tags: 2017, Canal Boulevard, Edward Virginius Valentine, French Quarter, Jefferson Davis, Jefferson Davis Parkway, Louisiana, May 11, Mississippi, new orleans, Newt Rayburn, Oxford, Richmond, thursday, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Virginia

About the Author

Newt Rayburn Newt Rayburn founded THE LOCAL VOICE in March of 2006. Previously, Newt was Editor of PROFANE EXISTENCE in Minneapolis, and Art Director for Ole Miss' LIVING BLUES magazine. Newt won a National Magazine Award in 1999 for his SOUTHERN MUSIC ISSUE with THE OXFORD AMERICAN. A seventh-generation Lafayette County, Mississippian, Newt Rayburn's alter ego—Neuter Cooter—lead the Mississippi band THE COOTERS to Rocknoll Glory across the USA from 1993-2018. Newt is a family man who also is a publisher, photographer, writer, musician, landlord, and Civil War enthusiast.