"Mourning Victory" at the Melvin Memorial - Concord, MA
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neoc1
N 42° 27.816 W 071° 20.608
19T E 307329 N 4703912
"Mourning Victory" is a relief sculpture at the Melvin Memorial, a cenotaph honoring the memory of three brothers Privates Asa, John and Samuel Melvin who died during the Civil War. It is located in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA
Waymark Code: WMN1P3
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 12/08/2014
Views: 5
In 1908 James Melvin commissioned Daniel Chester French to create a memorial to his three brothers, Asa, John, and Samuel, all of whom died while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Melvin Memorial contains a relief sculpture "Mourning Victory" which is considered to be one of the finest sculptures by the artist. The Melvin Memorial is was dedicated on June 16, 1909.
A 9.75' high rectangular marble slab is in the center of a 12.25' by 22' by 16.5' base. The relief sculpture "Mourning Victory" is carved into an upright marble slab. An allegorical partially clad female figure surrounded with a large drape. She is lifting the drape away from her head with her right hand. In her left hand she holds a leafed branch. The sculpture is above a platform with two low walls forming the back and sides of the memorial. There is a bench on each side. Below "Mourning Victory" is the inscription:
IN MEMORY OF THREE BROTHERS BORN IN CONCORD
WHO AS PRIVATE SOLDIERS GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE WAR TO SAVE THE COUNTRY
THIS MEMORIAL IS PLACED HERE BY THEIR SURVIVING
BROTHER, HIMSELF A PRIVATE SOLDIER IN THE SAME WAR.
"I WITH UNCOVERED HEAD
SALUTE THE SACRED DEAD
WHO WENT AND WHO RETURN NOT."
On the platform are three rectangular gray stone slabs, on for each brother, each with a bronze musket and wreath. They are inscribed:
ASA HEALD MELVIN
BORN SEPTEMBER 25, 1831
KILLED IN BATTLE BEFORE PETERSBURG VA.
JUNE 16, 1864
JOHN HEALD MELVIN
BORN JULY 27, 1841
DIED IN MILITARY HOSPITAL AT
FORT ALBANY VIRGINIA
OCTOBER 13, 1863
SAMUEL MELVIN
BORN APRIL 9, 1844
TAKEN PRISONER AT HARRISS FARM VA.
MAY 19, 1864
DIED AT ANDERSONVILLE GA.
SEPTEMBER 1864
Asa Heald Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He was was killed in action in a charge on the enemy's lines at Petersburg, Va., on June 16, 1864. He is buried in an unknown grave.
John Heald Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He died of disease at Fort Albany, Va., on Oct. 13, 1863. He is buried in a plot next to his parents elsewhere in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Samuel Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He was captured during the battle of Spottsylvania, VA, brought to Camp Sumter, Andersonville, GA where he died on September 25, 1864. He is buried there on Lot 9735.