The first outdoor sculpture in Peachtree City was unveiled last Saturday morning.

The memorial sculpture of Gen. William J. Hardee, a Confederate general from South Georgia was unveiled by Hardee descendants, including Peachtree City resident, Gail Hardee Broderick and her husband, Pat.

They spearheaded the drive to bronze the wax sculpture done by Newnan artist Michael Pate. It took a fund of nearly $10,000 to do everything that needed to be done so it could be mounted and set outside. It is on Gen. Hardee Square in North Cove, on North Peachtree Parkway.

About 70 people braved extremely inclement weather to participate in the ceremony and afterward the five homes on the square had a variety of refreshments on their front porches.

The speaker was Scott Gilbert, lieutenant commander, Hardee Chapter, Military Order of Stars and Bars. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin welcomed everyone on behalf of the city of Peachtree City, and bagpiper Ryan McMahon led reenactors to the site where colors were posted.

The Rev. Richard D. Brigham, rector of St. Andrew's-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church, Peachtree City, extended the invocation and David Helm, chaplain, Hardee Chapter MOSB, delivered the benediction.

The committee spent 18 months working on the project and it includes Carolyn Cary, Scott Gilbert, Geraldine Holt, Bobby Kerlin, Annie McMenamin and Nan Padgett, as well as the Brodericks.

There were more than 40 individual contributors as well as six county businesses who donated materials, foods and labor.

The sculpture was cast in bronze by the Inferno Art Foundry in Union City, making the entire sculpture 100 percent Georgian. Entitled “Going Home Proud,” it depicts the general sending a private on his way home after the War Between The States, along with a horse.

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