Forlorn Soldier - Hartford, CT - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

The Forlorn Soldier has a long and often sad history. The brownstone figure of a Civil War soldier is thought to be the nation's oldest carved soldier figure. Because of a design mistake, the right foot is forward instead of the left, it was rejected for the inclusion into a monument. Instead it was placed in downtown Hartford where the weather and vandals took their toil.

The life-size bearded figure is looking to his right. He is wearing an overcoat and a cape. A bayonet is attached to his belt. His hands are missing, but the position of his arms indicate that he was once holding a rifle. The sculpture was created by James C. Batterson between 1866 and 1868.

In 2013 the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission acquired the statue and moved it into its present location in the Capitol Building. Two nearby plaques are inscribed:

{Seal of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission}

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission, the descendants of John & Michael Kelly (Kelly Bro. Cut -Stone Contractors est. 1866), Travelers Insurance, the Connecticut General Assembly, and the Connecticut Department of Veterans' Affairs proudly places the "Forlorn Soldier" in the State Capitol Building. Neglected for far too long, this shall be his final resting place.

Dedicated September 17, 2013
"That the Generations to Come Might Know Them"

and

                       DUM TACET CLAMAT

REJECTED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR FOR A FAULTY FOOT
POSITION, THIS BROWNSTONE UNION SOLDIER WAS
ACQUIRED IN 1895 BY MICHAEL H. AND JOHN KELLY,
STONE CUTTERS, PLACED AT THE CORNER OF CHARTER
OAK AVENUE AND UNION STREET IN HARTFORD WHERE,
BUFFETED BY FLOOD AND BRUSHED BY VANDALS, HE STOOD
UNTIL 1968 WHEN J. MICHAEL KELLY, A GRANDSON, MOVED
HIM TO A FAIRER SITE, RESTORING HIS BATTERED ENTITY
WITH THE LOVING CARE HE HAD BEEN SO LONG DENIED.

Visitors can tour the Connecticut Capitol Building by entering the west entrance. The building is open for visitors Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Guided tours are available at quarter past the hour until 13:15. Self-guided booklets are available on the first floor.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Forlorn Soldier Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: James C. Batterson Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: Created 1866-8; placed Sept. 17, 2013 Materials used: brownstone Location: Connecticut State Capitol Building, Hartford, CT.

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