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Battle Monument (West Point)

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Coordinates: 41°23′40.93″N 73°57′24.66″W / 41.3947028°N 73.9568500°W / 41.3947028; -73.9568500
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For other uses, see Battle Monument (disambiguation).
Battle Monument
United States Military Academy
Battle monument, June 2009
For Officers and soldiers of the Regular Army killed in the US Civil War
Unveiled30 May 1897
Location41°23′40.93″N 73°57′24.66″W / 41.3947028°N 73.9568500°W / 41.3947028; -73.9568500
near 
Highland Falls, NY
Designed byStanford White & Frederick MacMonnies
Commemorated2,230 Officers & soldiers of the Regular Army
Burials by nation
Burials by war

Battle Monument is a large Tuscan column monument located on Trophy Point at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, designed by Stanford White.[1]

History

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The site for the monument was dedicated on 15 June 1864 by General George McClellan where he gave a lengthy address and stated that, "The site of the Battle Monument is dedicated in commemoration of the Officers and Privates of the regular Army who have died in the present war". His speech was followed by rapturous applause after concluding it with the official dedication stating, "We now dedicate this site to the memory of brave men, loyalty, patriotism and honor."[2]

The monument itself was dedicated on 30 May 1897 by surviving American Civil War veterans.[3][4] The monument was financed by monthly contributions from the pay of the officers and soldiers of the Regular Army.[4] The granite column, standing 46 feet (14 m) tall and 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter,[5] was quarried from Branford, Connecticut,[6] and is reputed to be the largest column of polished granite in the Western Hemisphere.[7] Inscribed on bronze straps belting the eight monumental "cannon balls" circling the column are the names of 2,230 Regular Army officers and soldiers who died for the Union during the Civil War.

A female statue designed by Frederick MacMonnies[7] sits atop the monument, representing Fame.[1] The statue that now tops the monument is actually the second version of the statue. Just months after it was unveiled, MacMonnies agreed to replace the original statue after complaints that it was too large and awkward.[8]

Traditionally, the plebes at West Point made reference to the statue of Fame when giving the following reply to any upperclassman demanding to know "How are they all?": "They are all fickle but one, sir." "Who is the one?" "She who stands atop Battle Monument, for she has been on the same shaft since 1897;" however, this is no longer current practice.

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  • After heavy winter snow
    After heavy winter snow
  • The cannons bear the names of major Civil War battles
    The cannons bear the names of major Civil War battles
  • Statue of Fame atop the monument
    Statue of Fame atop the monument
  • Original statue in 1897
    Original statue in 1897
  • Summer 2009
    Summer 2009

Sources

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  • Crackel, Theodore (1991). The Illustrated History of West Point. Boston: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. ISBN 0-8109-3458-2.
  • Lea, Russel (2003). W.P. Bicentrivia. Haverford, PA: Infinity Publishing Co. ISBN 0-7414-1460-0.

References

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  1. ^ a b Crackel, p.181.
  2. ^ cite news | url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=JWC18640709&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- | Publisher=Jasper Weekly Courier, Dubois County, 9 July 1864
  3. ^ Lea, p.132
  4. ^ a b "West Point's Dedication" (PDF). NY Times 29 May 1897. 30 May 1897. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  5. ^ "Battle Monument West Point". Waymarking.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  6. ^ Larned, Charles W.; Miner, Edward F. (1898). History of the Battle Monument at West Point. West Point, New York: United States Military Academy. p. 223. Retrieved April 28, 2019 – via library.usma.edu.
  7. ^ a b "Tour of West Point: Battle Monument". United States Military Academy. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  8. ^ Lange, Robie S. (1984). Historical Structures Inventory United States Military Academy West Point, NY Vol 1. Washington DC: National Park Service. p. 23.
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