Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

Civil War Monument, (sculpture).

Union Soldier, (sculpture).

Figure: granite; Base: stone.

Overall: approx. 20 ft. x 8 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in.

(On front of base, incised:) BETHEL/TO HER/LOYAL SONS/1861-1865

A figure of a mustached Civil War soldier, dressed in a military uniform that consists of a knee-length coat, a cape, and a brimmed hat, stands holding the barrel of a rifle with both hands. The butt of the rifle rests near the figure's proper right foot. A pouch hangs at the figure's rear proper right side. The figure is placed atop an inscribed multitiered base that is decorated on both the upper front and rear with a relief of crossed rifles topped by a shield and garland branches. The monument is surrounded by a low fence.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Maine -- Bethel

Administered by Town of Bethel, Main Street, Bethel, Maine 04217

Located Intersection of Main & Mechanic Street, Bethel, Maine

The monument was erected to honor those men from Bethel who served during the Civil War. Fundraising efforts for the monument were started as early as 1866. The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day, 1908. IAS files contain a related excerpt from Randall H. Bennett's "Bethel, Maine: An Illustrated History," Bethel, Maine: Bethel Historical Society, 1991, pg. 77, 148, which contains a historic photograph of the monument on the day of its dedication. IAS files also contain a related excerpt from Mildred C. Baruch and Ellen J. Beckman's "Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War," Washington, D.C.: Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1978, pg. 66.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Maine survey, 1994.

Bennett, Randall H., "Bethel, Maine: An Illustrated History," Bethel, Me.: Bethel Historical Society, 1991, pg. 77, 148.

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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