Matthew Talbot Nunnally, ninth child and fifth son of William Branch Nunnally and Mary Hale Talbot, was killed in action at Gettysburg, PA on July 2, 1863. His sister, Mary Walthal Nunnally Stroud Sandridge offered the city of Monroe, Georgia complete reimbursement for the cost of the Confederate Memorial Park provide they used the likeness of her fallen brother as the statue. The City declined. She then commissioned an Italian sculptor to produce a life size statue of her brother and it stands today (1999) at the foot of her grave in the Monroe, GA cemetery.
Matthew Talbot Nunnally was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1859. In 1861, he resigned his commission and accepted a command as Captain, Company H, 11th Georgia Regiment Voluntary Infantry.

"A tribute of loving remembrance from Mary Nunnally Sandidge to the memory of her brother, whose young career was brief, brave and glorious. "The only Captain from Walton's County that was killed in battle from 1861-1865."

On the soldier's right are crossed cannons. Below this is inscribed:
"On flames eternal camping ground, their silent tents are spread, and Glory Guards with solemn round the bivouac of the Dead."

On the soldier's left there are crossed sabres. Below this it reads:
"A young man of fine presents and talents of high purpose and courage of genial nature and devotion to his profession. His years of training at West Point fitted him to become a model soldier. He was ridged but kindly in discipline, unremitting in attention to duty, and mindful of the safety and comfort of his command always cheerfully sharing hardships and dangers. He led his company through many battles with marked distinction and when he fell, while cheering on his company in the charge of Hood's Division which drove the enemy from the Devil's Den woods over the slopes of Devil's Den ridge to the shelter of Round top mountain and of little round top. He was lamented by all who knew him, and by none so much as by the men of His company who had learned to respect, admire and love him. Written by Henry D McDaniel, Major Eleventh Georgia Regt., afterward Governor of Georgia, who witnessed his death."