Confederate statues of Stonewall Jackson, William “Extra Billy” Smith, and Hunter Holmes McGuire have been taken away from their former locations in Capitol Square, Richmond. The removal took place on Friday, marking a significant alteration to the site.

The previous Metro article titled “Remaining Confederate statues removed from Virginia’s Capitol”, published on August 29, omitted details about the historical importance of the General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson statue. This monument symbolized the support the Confederacy received from the British upper class during the Civil War.

Jackson became a revered figure among wealthy British backers of the Confederacy, notably Alexander Beresford-Hope. After Jackson’s death in May 1863, Beresford-Hope led an initiative in Britain to fund the creation of a statue honoring Jackson. Inscribed on the base were the words: “Presented by English gentlemen as a tribute of admiration for the soldier and patriot Thomas J. Jackson.”