Soldiers Monument, (sculpture).

Soldiers Monument, (sculpture).

Loughridge, George W., b. 1844, sculptor.

Soldiers Monument, (sculpture).

Dedicated May 31, 1897.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: stone; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 6 x 2 x 2 ft.; Base: approx. 12 ft. 8 in. x 7 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. 6 in.

(Northwest face of base:) (G.A.R. logo on shield) R. P. Carpenter/Post No. 41 (Front face of base:) Erected under/the auspices of/Women's Relief/Corps No 210/Assisted by/R.P. Carpenter/Post No. 41/and patriotic citizens/1861-1865 (Southeast face of base:) (Logo of Women's Relief Corps:) R.P. Carpenter/Women's Relief/Corps No 210 (Rear face of base:) TO THE/MEMORY OF/OUR NOBLE DEAD/WHO FREELY GAVE/THEIR LIVES/THAT THE COUNTRYS FLAG/MIGHT BE MAINTAINED/UNSULLIED/ERECTED MAY 30, 1897.

A uniformed Civil War soldier stands at parade rest with his proper left foot extended slightly. A bayonet is slung at his side, and a rifle is forward of the proper right foot, resting to the proper left side. The soldier's proper left hand is above the proper right hand on the rifle stock. He wears a belt with an engraved "US" and is holding a small clasped bag under his proper right arm, and an ammunition pack on the proper right hip engraved "US." The soldier wears a billed cap, and a long tunic coat with a short cape draped over his proper left shoulder and blown back over his proper right shoulder. He has short, curly hair. The soldier is atop a three-tiered base mounted by a rectangular pier with a cornice consisting of a rough-faced pediment centered on each side. The areas on the sides of the monument have two cannon barrels resting on cement blocks. To the front and back of the monument are two sets of cannon balls stacked in pyramid fashion.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Michigan -- Chelsea

Oak Grove Cemetery, 104 East Middle Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118

The idea for the monument originated in 1895. The cost was $1,800. The monument commemorates Civil War soldiers and was erected under the auspices of Women's Relief Corps No. 210, assisted by R. P. Carpenter Post No. 41. George W. Loughridge carved the monument's base. The monument was dedicated on Decoration Day, May 31, 1897. IAS files contain a related article from The Chelsea Standard, June 3, 1897, discussing the dedication. IAS files also contain excerpts from "Portrait & Biographical Album of Washtenaw County," Chicago Biographical Publishing Co., 1891, pg. 597-598; and excerpt from Charles C. Chapman, "History of Washtenaw County," 1881, pg. 1140.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Michigan survey, 1993.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, MI0033, 1989.

Monumental News, June 1897, pg. 376.

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

Control Number:

Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

Powered by SirsiDynix

About | © 2020 Smithsonian | Terms of Use | Privacy | Contact

SIRIS - Smithsonian Institution Research Information System