Monuments

Austin, as the capital of Texas, has long been home to several prominent Civil War monuments that commemorate the state's involvement in the conflict and honor those who served. Located primarily on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol, these monuments reflect Texas’ complex Civil War history. However, in recent years, following the death of George Floyd in 2020 and the resulting national reckoning with Confederate symbolism, some of these monuments have been removed.

The Confederate Soldiers Monument

The Confederate Soldiers Monument, one of the most prominent Civil War memorials on the Capitol grounds, was erected in 1903. Standing tall near the south entrance of the Capitol, this monument was designed to honor the memory of all Texas soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. It features a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier atop a towering granite pedestal, flanked by smaller statues representing infantry, artillery, cavalry, and navy troops.

At the base of the monument are plaques with inscriptions that memorialize the Confederacy and Texas’ role in the war. Erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the monument was meant to symbolize the valor of Southern soldiers and the sacrifice they made. Over time, it became a focal point for debates over the representation of the Confederacy in public spaces.

The Terry's Texas Rangers Monument

The Terry’s Texas Rangers Monument was unveiled in 1907 to honor the 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment, also known as Terry's Texas Rangers. This regiment was one of the most famous Confederate cavalry units, known for its daring exploits and significant role in numerous battles throughout the Civil War. The unit was named after Benjamin Franklin Terry, who organized the Rangers but was killed early in the war at the Battle of Woodsonville in 1861.

The monument, located on the south grounds of the Capitol, features a bronze statue of a cavalryman on horseback, sword drawn, capturing the spirit of the brave and mobile Texas Rangers. This monument commemorates not only the regiment but also the larger-than-life legend of the Texas cavalry during the war.

The Hood's Texas Brigade Monument

The Hood's Texas Brigade Monument, dedicated in 1910, is another significant memorial located on the Capitol grounds. It honors the soldiers of Hood's Texas Brigade, a famed Confederate infantry unit that served under General John Bell Hood. Known for their fierce fighting and unwavering loyalty, the brigade played a crucial role in many battles, including Antietam, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.

The monument features a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier standing with a rifle, flanked by plaques that list the brigade’s major engagements. At its dedication, it was meant to honor the brigade’s contributions to the war effort and the valor of its members. Like the other Confederate monuments, it reflects the early 20th-century movement to memorialize Southern war heroes and their cause.

Monument Removal After the Death of George Floyd

In the wake of the death of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests against racial injustice, there was increased scrutiny of Confederate symbols in public spaces. Austin, like many other cities across the United States, saw a reevaluation of its Civil War monuments.

As part of a broader effort to address the legacy of the Confederacy and its connection to slavery and racial inequality, several Confederate markers and monuments were removed from the Texas Capitol grounds. These removals reflected changing public attitudes toward the memorialization of the Confederacy.

In 2020, the Children of the Confederacy Creed plaque, which stated that the Civil War was not a rebellion and denied slavery as the cause, was removed from the Capitol building. This plaque had been a source of controversy for years and was finally taken down as part of a statewide reassessment of Confederate symbols.

The Jefferson Davis statue, which once stood on the University of Texas campus, was removed in **2015** following the Charleston church shooting. The removal came in response to growing demands from students and activists to eliminate public displays of Confederate leaders. The statue was relocated to the Briscoe Center for American History.

While these removals reflect a shift in how Austin and the nation grapple with Confederate symbolism, the debate continues over the remaining monuments. Many of these memorials remain in place, standing as reminders of Texas’ Confederate past and the ongoing conversation about how to appropriately address that history in public spaces.