Henry Rosenberg, a well-known banker, bequeathed nearly a quarter of a million dollars to public enterprises, and among other items his will set aside $50,000 for the erection of a monument to commemorate the deeds of the heroes who participated in the struggle for Texas's independence. Rosenberg, Texas, is named after Henry Rosenberg, and he spent much of his money on other building projects like the Galveston Orphans Home and the Rosenberg Library.
Louis Amateis
Amateis, who was a professor in Rome at the time, was required to submit his work on the statue groups, bas reliefs and other bronze works to the College of Sculptors at Rome for approval.
Design
The monument is made mostly of light gray granite with a bronze statue and bronze reliefs. It is high including the statue of Victory. The base of the monument is in diameter. The bulk of the monument consists of four columns made from a single block of granite. These are high. At the top of the columns are words which represent the qualities of the men who fought for Texas: Patriotism, Honor, Devotion, Courage. The statue of Victory is high. She holds a sheathed sword entwined with roses, and her right extended hand holds a crown of laurels.
Patriotism
This column faces north to overlook the entrance to Galveston and, at the time, the entrance to the state of Texas. At the base of the column is a bronze relief of Sam Houston flanked by representations of peace and war. Underneath Houston are the reliefs of five men: Henry Smith, Edward Burleson, Benjamin Milam, James Fannin and James Bonham. Below the column on the monument is a bas relief of the Battle of San Jacinto. And finally, below this, reads "A Tribute from Henry Rosenberg to the Heroes of the Texas Revolution of 1836."
Courage
This column faces east and contains the statue of a female unsheathing a sword and ordering the Mexicans out of Texas. She is known as Defiance, and underneath here is the date October 2, 1835, the day of the Goliad Massacre which is referenced by the bas relief of the massacre on the base of the monument.
Honor
Facing west, this column houses a bronze female figure who represents Peace. At her feet are the names of heroes who did not have photos that could be authenticated: Neill, Hockley, Karnes and de Zavalla. Below her is the date April 21, 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto. A bas relief underneath the date commemorates Santa Anna's surrender to Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto.
