Theresa Soldiers' Monument, (sculpture).

Theresa Soldiers' Monument, (sculpture).

Kissel, August, 1842-1923, sculptor. (possibly by)

Theresa Soldiers' Monument, (sculpture).

Memorial to P.O.W.'s, (sculpture).

Installed Sept. 1910. Dedicated May 30, 1911.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: zinc; Base: marble.

Overall: approx. H. 16 ft.; Base: approx. W. 54 in. x D. 54 in.

(On monument, four sides:) ERECTED AND DONATED BY AUGUST KISSEL, THERESA, N.Y., CO. B, 94TH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, TO THE MEMORY OF ALL EX-PRISONERS OF WAR (On second base:) ERECTED IN 1910 FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN OF THERESA (On lower sub-base, over four sides:) FOR US THEIR PRECIOUS LIVES THEY GAVE, FOR FREEDOM'S SACRED CAUSE THEY DIED/PASSENGER, IF THOU ART A FRIEND OF A SOLDIER, DROP A TEAR OVER THE DUST OF ALL HEROES./THEY TOILED BY DAY IN HUNGER, HEAT AND COLD, AND LAY AT NIGHT WRAPPED IN THE CHILLY FOLD OF STORMY SKIES, AND TEMPEST WILD WITHOUT A WHISPERED CHEER./LEGEND MAY FADE FROM THE PORTAL, KEYSTONE AND COLUMN MAY CRUMBLE AND FALL, THEY WERE THE BUILDERS WHOSE WORK IS IMMORTAL CROWNED WITH THE DOME THAT IS OVER US ALL. (The monument contains the names of men from Theresa who served in the Civil War, a list of deceased soldiers buried in Theresa who served in the Revolutionary War, names of men from Theresa who served in the War of 1812 and the names of three women under "Females Heroes") unsigned

Full-length figure of a uniformed Civil War soldier stands on an ornate pedestal and tiered base. The figure wears a long caped coat and cap. He stands at parade rest, holding the barrel of his rifle in both hands with the butt resting near his proper right foot. Decorative elements on the base include a relief portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln and relief busts of allegorical figures of Charity, Hope and Memory. There is also a relief of the prison stockade at Salisbury, North Carolina.

History -- United States -- Civil War

History -- United States -- Military history

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Portrait male -- Lincoln, Abraham -- Bust

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Theresa

Administered by Town of Theresa, Theresa, New York

Located Oakwood Cemetery, Theresa, New York

Gift of August Kissel, a local Civil War veteran, in memory of those who served in the war, especially the prisoners of war. Mr. Kissel was himself a prisoner in Salisbury, North Carolina, until he escaped. He was aided by Sina Sommers, a woman from Hunter Creek, North Carolina. Her name is included on the monument as a "female hero" as are the names of Jennie Tipton and Jennie West, both of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The SOS! survey states that Mr. Kissel was in the monument business, but it is unclear whether he built or purchased this monument. IAS files contain the full inscriptions and names on the monument and a related article detailing the dedication.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.

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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