Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Keller, George W., 1842-1935, architect.

Buberl, Caspar, 1834-1899, sculptor.

Richards, David, 1829-1897, sculptor.

Hartley, Jonathan Scott, 1845-1912, sculptor.

Harvey, Warren, contractor.

M. J. Power Bronze Founder, founder.

Frederick & Field, contractor.

National Fine Art Foundry, founder.

Ellin & Kitson, fabricator.

Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Soldiers Monument, (sculpture).

Victory, (sculpture).

Infantryman, (sculpture).

Cavalryman, (sculpture).

Sailor, (sculpture).

Artilleryman, (sculpture).

1878. Dedicated Sept. 11, 1879.

Digital Reference:

Figures: granite, bronze; Frieze: bronze; Base: granite.

Overall: approx. 50 x 30 x 30 ft.; Individual figures: approx. H. 8 ft.

(On proper right of self-base of Infantryman:) D. Richards Sculp./1878 (On proper left of self-base of Infantryman:) M.J. Power/Bronze Founder NY (On proper right side of self-base of Cavalryman:) C. Buberl, Sculp/1878 (On proper left side of self-base of Cavalryman:) M.J. Power/bronze founder NY (On proper left side of self-base of Sailor:) D. Richards, sculp/1878 (On proper right side of self-base of Sailor:) M.J. Power/bronze founder NY (On front of self-base of Artilleryman:) C. Buberl Sc/1878 (On proper left side of self-base of Artilleryman:) M J Power/bronze founder NY (Around column in granite letters:) DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI (On plaque on base:) IN HONOR OF/THE MEN OF MANCHESTER/WHO GAVE THEIR SERVICES/IN THE WAR WHICH/PRESERVED THE UNION OF THE STATES/AND/SECURED EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL UNDER/THE CONSTITUTION/THIS MONUMENT IS BUILT/BY/A GRATEFUL CITY/A.D. 1878 signed Founder's mark appears.

A full-length female figure of Victory surmounts a tall column set in the center of a cruciform basin outlined by stone parapet. The figure is granite as are the column and basin. She wears classical clothing and holds an olive branch in her proper right arm. In her proper left hand are a laurel wreath and city shield. Decorative bands of bas-relief punctuate the column. On the front base of the column is an elaborate bronze trophy of flags and weapons above a relief of two shields. Below the shields a ring of twelve bronze gargoyle lion water spouts encircles the column, filling the basin below with water. Below the ring of lion spouts is a bronze frieze which wraps around the center granite column. The frieze portrays fifteen scenes of volunteer soldiers and includes a drummer boy and flagbearer; soldiers marching; a soldier waving farewell to friends; a husband comforting his wife; a farmer leaving a plow and young child; a son saying farewell to his blacksmith father; an officer preparing to mount his horse saying farewell to his wife.

At the outer edges of each of the four arms of the basin stand eight bronze lamps topped by eagles. In the center of each arm stands a pedestal topped with a full-length bronze figure facing out: an artilleryman, a cavalryman, a sailor and an infantryman. Standing on the front pedestal is the infantryman. He wears a long belted overcoat and a cap. He has a moustache. He holds the barrel of a rifle in his proper left hand; the butt of the gun rests on the ground beside his leg. His right arm is akimbo. On the proper right pedestal stands the figure of a cavalryman. He wears a uniform with high boots and hat. A gun hangs from his belted jacket. His proper left arm is akimbo. His proper right hand is placed over his heart. He has a long moustache. The figure of a sailor stands on the back pedestal. He wears a sailor's blouse and trousers and has a scabbard hanging from his belt on his proper left side. His proper left hand touches the scabbard. He wears a sailors cap and has a beard and moustache. The artilleryman stands on the pedestal on the proper left arm of the basin. He wears a uniform and hat. In his proper right hand he holds a long rammer. His proper right foot rests on a cannon. His proper left arm is akimbo. He has a moustache.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure female -- Full length

Allegory -- Other -- Triumph

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Occupation -- Military -- Sailor

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Object -- Weapon -- Cannon

Object -- Other -- Flag

Outdoor Sculpture -- New Hampshire -- Manchester

Administered by City of Manchester, Parks & Recreation Department, 625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, New Hampshire 03104

Located Merrimack Square, Central, Merrimack, Elm & Chestnut Streets, Manchester, New Hampshire

The monument was funded by the city of Manchester. Cost of the monument was $15,719. Keller designed the monument; Buberl sculpted Victory, the Artilleryman and the Cavalryman; Richards sculpted the Sailor and the Infantryman; Hartley sculpted the frieze. Frederick & Field were awarded the general contract for the monument; Powers founded the four bronze figures at the National Fine Art Foundry; Ellin & Kitson were contracted for architectural carving; and Harvey was contracted for the fountain. IAS files contain copy of related article from The Daily Union (Manchester), Sept. 11, 1879. IAS files contain copies of related excerpts from "Ceremonies at the Dedication of the Monument Erected by the City of Manchester, N.H. ...", Manchester: Mirror Steam Printing, 1880, pg. 11-12, 72-78; and David Ruell's typescript "The Public Sculpture of New Hampshire", Concord: New Hampshire Historical Society, 1980, pg. 7-9.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New Hampshire survey, 1993.

Ransom, David, "Geo. Keller Architect", Hartford, CT: Stowe-Day Foundation, 1978, pg. 120-123.

Ransom, David, "Geo. Keller Architect", Hartford, CT: Stowe-Day Foundation, 1978, pg. 120.

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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