Monument to Soldiers in Unknown Graves, (sculpture).

Monument to Soldiers in Unknown Graves, (sculpture).

Borglum, Solon Hannibal, 1868-1922, sculptor. (attributed to)

Smith Granite Company, contractor.

Monument to Soldiers in Unknown Graves, (sculpture).

1893. Dedicated May 30, 1894.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: Westerly granite; Base: blue granite.

Sculpture: approx. 6 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. 8 ft. x 7 ft. 9 in. x 5 ft. 5 in.

(On upper front of base, raised letters:) IN MEMORIAM (On front midsection of base, raised letters: two columns of eighteen names and units) On lower front of base, raised letters:) DANBURY'S MEMORIAL/TO HER SOLDIERS AND SAILORS/WHO REST IN UNKNOWN GRAVES (On upper back of base, raised letters:) IM MEMORIAM (On back midsection of base: eighteen names and units in two columns) (On bronze plaque on back of base:) ERECTED BY THE/JAMES E. MOORE/POST AND/THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT unsigned

A Civil War soldier stands with his proper left foot forward. He wears a long belted overcoat with the cape thrown back. The rifle is under his proper left arm, muzzle down and back. His proper left forearm and hand are held up and forward to grasp the butt. His proper right arm is behind his back, the proper right hand extended to proper left rear to grasp the rifle barrel, the end of which is broken off. A bayonet is at his proper left hip. The soldier wears a moustache and brimmed cap. A cross stands at the proper left rear of the figure. The badge of the G.A.R. is on its stem and the letters of "G.A.R." decorate its points. The sculpture is placed atop a high plinth supporting a two-stage base. The front of the base is decorated with a raised design of swords over capstan, anchor, and pulley. The back of the base has a design of swords crossed over the shield of the United States with wreath.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- Danbury

Administered by Danbury Cemetery Association, 20 Ellsworth Avenue, Danbury, Connecticut 06810

Located Wooster Cemetery, 20 Ellsworth Avenue, Danbury, Connecticut

The sculpture was erected by the James E. Moore Post and the State of Connecticut as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors who rest in unknown graves. Governor Luzon B. Morris was present at the sculpture's dedication. For related information see: the Danbury News, May 30, 1894; and the Danbury News Times, May 30, 1993, The Sunday Magazine, pg. 1, 4; and The Hartford Times, May 2, 1894, pg. 1. For other related information see: James Montgomery Bailey's "History of Danbury, Conn., 1684-1896," New York: Burr Printing House, 1896, pg. 429, 430; and Mildred C. Baruch and Ellen J. Beckman's "Civil War Union Monument," Washington, DC: Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1978, pg. 9.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1994.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, CT0039, 1989.

Monumental News, July, Aug. 1894.

Danbury News Times, May 30, 1993, The Sunday Magazine, pg. 1.

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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