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Blue Ridge Soldiers

The sculptures in this case represent units, both Union and Confederate, that men from the Blue Ridge fought. The equipment and uniforms depicted here are worth many thousands of dollars to collectors; yet an exhibition of such things would leave out the humanity, the terror and suffering that was so much a part of the Civil War. Further, it is difficult to assemble authentic military attire. Most states had uniform regulations but there was enormous divergence. For example, the Tennessee Cavalryman figure is shown wearing a civilian shirt and carrying a sawed-off shotgun, hardly regulation equipment.

The museum, therefore, approached award-winning figure sculptor, John Pietras, and asked him to develop a series of stories depicting soldiers from the Blue Ridge as they might have lived. The result is perhaps the most accurate image of such soldiers available. The figures, made of sculpted epoxy resin and cast metal, are incredibly detailed, an invitation to look long and carefully.