Stewart–Screven Monument

Midway, Georgia was established in 1752. During the American Revolution, the area around Midway became a hotspot of Patriot activity, and Lyman Hall, who served as a delegate from Georgia in the Continental Congress, was from Midway.[1] During the reorganization of the state of Georgia during the American Revolutionary War, the county that Midway was in was named Liberty County in recognition of this.[2] Midway was also the home of two noted soldiers who served as generals in the Continental Army during the war: James Screven and Daniel Stewart.[3] In November 1778, Screven was mortally wounded during military action in Midway.[4] Both Stewart and Screven would later receive multiple honors due to their involvement in the war, including serving as the namesakes for several places in Georgia, such as Fort Screven,[5] Fort Stewart,[6] Screven County,[7] and Stewart County.[8]

In 1910, the United States Congress passed an act appropriating $10,000 towards the erection of a monument honoring both Screven and Stewart in Midway.[9][10] The push to erect a monument to honor the two had been championed by Willian Neyle Colquitt, a prominent citizen of Savannah, Georgia who, after the act was passed, was made secretary of the commission to erect the monument.[11] Other members of the commission included U.S. Senator Augustus O. Bacon, U.S. Representative Charles G. Edwards, and ex-President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt as the honorary chairman.[12] The monument was erected by the McNeel Marble Company.[13] It was officially dedicated on April 26, 1915, with multiple military companies in attendance, including several troops from Fort Screven. The dedication ceremony was attended by about 5,000 spectators.[14] Prior to its unveiling, it was covered by two large American flags.[15] Both Roosevelt and then-President Woodrow Wilson sent letters that were read aloud during the ceremony.[16]