Nathan Hale is depictd in this life-sized bronze work as he is about to be executed... hands tied behind his back, feet bound with rope. He stands tall and proud. It is set on a stone block about 3 fet tall.
Wikipedia (
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"Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British and executed. He is probably best remembered for his purported last words before being hanged: "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Hale has long been considered an American hero and, in 1985, he was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut."
Wikipedia (
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Captain Nathan Hale is a bronze statue of Nathan Hale, by Bela Lyon Pratt. It is located at the south facade of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C.
This example was cast around 1930, and dedicated on April 18, 1948.
The original is at Yale University, and other examples are at Fort Nathan Hale, the Chicago Tribune Tower, and CIA headquarters.
The inscription reads:
(Sculpture, near figure's proper left foot:)
B.L. PRATT
(Sculpture, near figure's proper right foot:)
REPLICA OF THAT
AT YALE UNIVERSITY
(Sculpture, around bottom rim:)
I ONLY REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR MY COUNTRY
(Base, front:)
NATHAN HALE
CAPTAIN
ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
BORN AT COVENTRY CONNECTICUT
JUNE 6, 1755
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS
DUTY HE RESIGNED HIS
LIFE A SACRIFICE TO
HIS COUNTRY'S LIBERTY
AT NEW YORK
SEPTEMBER 22, 1776
signed Founder's mark appears
As part of American Revolution Statuary in Washington, D.C. the statue at the Department of Justice Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.