Civil War Monument, Derby, (sculpture).

Civil War Monument, Derby, (sculpture).

Walsh, M. J., designer.

Civil War Monument, Derby, (sculpture).

Base: dedicated July 4, 1877. Soldier and remodelled base: dedicated: July 4, 1883.

Soldier: bronze; Base: speckled and tan granite, possibly Quincy and Westerly granite.

Soldier: approx. 7 x 2 x 2 ft.; Base: approx. 13 ft. x 8 ft. 4 in. x 8 ft. 4 in.

(South face pedestal base:) M.J. WALSH (Rear base of figure:) (Illegible inscription) (West face of pedestal:) GETTYSBURG (Die above bronze plaque:) IN/MEMORY OF THE/MEN OF DERBY AND HUNTINGTON/WHO FELL/IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY/IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION,/1861-1865/AS/DEFENDERS OF LIBERTY AND/NATIONALITY (South face:) NEW BERNE (Above, bronze plaque, raised caps:) ROLL OF HONOR/KILLED (List of soldiers' names)/DIED OF WOUNDS (List of soldiers' names)/"ON FAME'S ETERNAL CAMPING GROUND/THEIR SILENT TENTS ARE SPREAD,/AND GLORY GUARDS, WITH SCARED ROUND,/THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD"

(East face:) ATLANTA (Above, bronze plaque:)ERECTED/BY THE/PEOPLE OF DERBY AND HUNTINGTON/A.D. 1883/IN HONOR OF ALL WHO FOUGHT/IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY/"THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,/BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE,/SHOULD NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH" (North face:) CH'RS VILLE (Above:) ROLL OF HONOR/DIED IN SERVICE (List of soldiers' names) signed

A high granite pedestal and surmounting life-sized bronze figure. The soldier wears a uniform consisting of a long coat, a cape buttoned at the top and a cap. The mustached figure holds the barrel of a rifle with both hands. The butt of the gun rests in front of his proper right foot. The pedestal on which he stands is elaborately decorated with bronze plaques and carvings. Battle names appear on each side. The four surfaces of the pedestal frieze are decorated in bronze with foliage motifs flanking small central shields on the west and east; egg-and-dart roundels flanked by laurel on the north and south. The surfaces of the small attic above the pedestal cornice are decorated with bronze shields of Connecticut and the United States on the front; a rosette in wreath on each of the other three sides. Four 11 foot cannons are mounted diagonally at the corners of the monument.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Object -- Weapon -- Cannon

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- Derby

Administered by City of Derby, Streets Department, Coon Hollow Road, Derby, Connecticut 06418

Located Derby Green, Fifth & Elizabeth Streets, Derby, Connecticut 06418

The Kellog Post of the G.A.R. appointed a Monument Committee in 1875 which was successful in raising $1,475 for the monument. Their subscription book, at the Hartcourt Wood Memorial Library, lists the names of donors and amounts of their contributions, which generally were $10 or $25.00; but ranged upwards to $200-500. The base of the contemplated monument was dedicated July 4, 1877; with $1,500 raised for the erection of the pedestal in 1878. Several years later, when an additional $3,200 was pledged, Maurice J. Power of New York was given a contract to remodel the substructure and erect a bronze statue. It is believed he employed M. J. Walsh to do the remodelling. It is believed the Quincy granite sub-base dates from 1878; the Westerly stone portions and bronze figure date from 1883. The remodelled monument was dedicated July 4, 1883. 8,000 people attended the ceremonies.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1993.

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