By CAROLYN CARY
Contributing Writer

Through the efforts of Gail Hardee Broderick and her husband, Pat, funds are being raised to bronze a sculpture of her great-great-great uncle, General William Joseph Hardee.

Hardee was born in 1815 in Camden County, Ga., at the family plantation, "Rural Felicity".

He was a 1838 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., served in the Seminole Indian War, the Mexican-American War, was appointed commandant at West Point in1856, and wrote the textbook on military tactics, entitled "Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics" at this time.

He resigned his position at the outset of the War Between The States and served as brigadier general in Arkansas. In December, 1864, he effectively evacuated the Confederate forces from Savannah as Gen. William T. Sherman approached that city. Much closer to home, service brought him to battles fought in Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesboro and Lovejoy.

Presently in a wax form, this sculpture was crafted by Michael Pate of Newnan. After studying the general both as to his family and his part in the War Between The States, he felt as though he came to know the man personally.

"It's not just a form without feeling," he said. "I felt he was a soldier's general and decided that depicting him personally accompanying a soldier back to the soldier's home was something the General might have done. And then, of course, there had to be a horse in the scene, also. When the sculpture was completed, the only appropriate name for it was 'Going Home Proud'".

The sculpture will be bronzed at a foundry in Union City and then will be placed in a park area at the head of Gen'l Hardee Square, located in North Cove in Peachtree City. It will also have running water that will traverse across the bottom of the piece.

"We invite those interested to help us in our project to raise the $12,000 needed to bronze this outstanding sculpture," said Mrs. Broderick. "An account has been set up at NationsBank in the name "William Hardee Memorial Fund" and we would appreciate everyone's help. He was, indeed, a soldier's general and we are pleased to be a part of this effort." She can be reached at 770-487-8107.

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