Controversial Confederate Memorial Set for Reinstallation at Arlington

New plans detail how the U.S. Army aims to reinstall a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, nearly three years after its removal. The Army shared its final design with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on October 15. ABC News reports on how this bronze sculpture will be restored and returned to Section 16 by 2027.

Details of the Plan

The proposal outlines the memorial’s placement, elevation, and installation. This comes as part of a reversal of its December 2023 removal under a congressional mandate. Newsweek sought comments from Arlington National Cemetery.

Maps and Their Significance

The Army plans to return the bronze sculpture to its original Section 16 location where Confederate soldiers were laid to rest. The existing granite base will support the piece again, as the Army avoids rebuilding from scratch. Conservation and refurbishment are set precede its reinstallation. Visitors will also see interpretive materials providing historical context.

These plans were discussed with the Commission of Fine Arts, which advises on design within Washington D.C. The reinstallation process aims for completion in 2027.

Reasons for Initial Removal

December 2023 saw the memorial dismantled in response to Congress’ orders for Confederate monuments’ removal from military sites. The Army adhered to the mandate, completing necessary environmental and preservation processes prior to taking down the bronze components.

This action followed recommendations from the Naming Commission, which reviewed military assets tied to the Confederacy. The memorial, standing since 1914, was sculpted by Moses Jacob Ezekiel, a Confederate veteran. Commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, it was dedicated under President Woodrow Wilson.

The monument portrays a Southern figure among scenes of Civil War-era life. Criticism centers on its romanticized depiction of the Confederacy and slavery’s downplayed impact.

Motivation for Restoration

The decision to return the sculpture reflects a Trump administration policy shift. In 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth decided to restore the memorial, regarding its removal as a historical erasure attempt.

In social media statements, Hegseth criticized the removal, emphasizing history’s preservation over erasure. By July 2025, the Army reached an agreement with Virginia to loan the sculpture to the Center for Military History, locating it near Ezekiel’s burial site at Arlington.

Further conservation and development of interpretive content aim to ensure visitors grasp the full historical narrative. This decision has reignited debate on Civil War commemoration, especially at Arlington, a prominent military site. Supporters see historical preservation value; opponents warn of honoring a slavery-centric cause and ignoring enslaved people’s experiences.

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