To the Heroes of Illinois - Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, TN - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Main source: Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog Web site:
This monument is of a bronze figure of a soldier laying in state on a pink and black marble sarcophagus. The soldier wears a military uniform and is draped in a flag. His head is turned slightly to the right. His left hand bunches the flag over his heart, and his right arm is straight by his side, palm facing up. A laurel branch and uniform hat are placed at his left foot. An oak leaf and acorn motif encircles the casket at the top and a geometric motif encircles the casket at the bottom. The base includes five granite steps lead up to the sculpture and two marble benches. The base of the sculpture is enclosed on three sides by a landscaped flower garden. There are also two flag poles in the flower garden.

There are two plaques set into the paving around the monument. One at the head and the other at the foot. Both contain the seal of the United States and the date, June 20, 1782.

There is also a plaque at the head of the monument that reads:

This monument erected by the state of Illinois in 1928 to the glorious memory of the soldiers of Illinois who fought in the Civil War 1861-1865.

A plaque at the foot of the monument reads:

When President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to defend the life of the nation, these valiant sons of Illinois, together with other heroes, offered their lives with patriotism unsurpassed.

With unflinching bravery fault the bloody battle great civil war for union and liberty. Upon these therefore a grateful state stows the crown of undying affection and the laurels of victory.

TITLE: To the Heroes of Illinois ARTIST(S): Hermant, Leon DATE: 1928 MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze, pink and black marble; Base: granite CONTROL NUMBER: IAS TN000112 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: In the Memphis National Cemetery, near the office building. The cemetery is located at 3568 Townes Ave., Memphis Ave. Hours: 8:00 AM to sunset DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: No differences in the actual sculpture noted. I have included the text of the plaques that are attached to the monument in the long description.

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