General Alexander Macomb Monument, (sculpture).

General Alexander Macomb Monument, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

General Alexander Macomb Monument, (sculpture).

Obelisk and shaft: white marble; Base: granite.

Obelisk: approx. H. 78 in.; Shaft: approx. 22 x 40 x 40 in.; Base: approx. 14 x 42 x 42 in.

(Base, on front plaque:) ALEXANDER MACOMB/Major General, Commander in Chief/United States Army, Died at Washington/the seat of government, 25th June 1841. (Base, south plaque:) The honors conferred on him by President/Madison received on the field of victory/for "distinguished and gallant conduct/in defending the enemy at Plattsburg" and the thanks of Congress bestowed with/a medal commemorative of this triumph/of Arms of the Republic, attest/the meritorious services./GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT (Base, plaque on north side:) It were but simple tribute to his/memory to say that in youth and/manhood he served his country./In the profession in which he died,/during a period of more than forty/years, without stain or blemish/upon his escutcheon./GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT

A Neoclassical monument consisting of an obelisk topped with a Roman officer's helmet, an American flag, and a Roman sword. Atop the helmet is a dove, the symbol of peace. Atop the sword is an eagle, the symbol of might and valor. Wrapped around the sword is a cluster of oak leaves, the symbol of strength. At the foot of the obelisk are three lion's feet, a symbol of warriors. The obelisk rests on top of a shaft that is decorated with a laurel wreath to symbolize victory in death; a butterfly to symbolize resurrection; a snake swallowing his tail to symbolize eternity; a winged hourglass to symbolize that "time has flown; and a scythe to symbolize harvest time, or end of the season. The shaft rests on a granite base that is adorned with inscription plaques.

Homage -- Macomb, Alexander

Dress -- Accessory -- Helmet

Ethnic -- Roman

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Animal -- Bird -- Dove

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, S.E., Washington, District of Columbia 20003

Located Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, S.E., Northeast section, range 55, site 147, Washington, District of Columbia 20003

Alexander Macomb (1782-1841) served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army at the time of his death.

SOS Assessment Award, 1998.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 92.

Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.44.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 92, A-41.

Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.44.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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