2nd and 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Memorial Lions - Boston, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 20.974 W 071° 04.644
19T E 328895 N 4690679
A pair of lion sculptures adorn the memorials honoring the members 2nd and 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry who fought in the Civil War. The lions are located in the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA.
Waymark Code: WM10ECX
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 04/23/2019
Views: 3
A pair larger than life sculpture of a lion in couchant position were sculpted by Louis St. Gaudens in 1890 and placed in the main branch of the Boston Public Library. The lion that was commissioned by and the honors the members of the 2nd and 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry who fought in the Civil War adorns the sides of the grand staircase of the McKim Building. The lions are sculptured from unpolished yellow Siena marble and rests on a 10' high rectangular marble base.
The lion for the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry is inscribed on the back of the base with the dedication:
IN HONOR
OF THE
SECOND MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE
OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN ITS RANKS
THIS MONUMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CITY OF BOSTON
The upper part of the front of the base is inscribed with the names of Civil War Battles:
wINCHESTER - 1862 - CEDAR MOUNTAIN
ANTIETAM - CHANCELLORSVILLE
GETTYSBURG - RESACA - ATLANTA
MARCH TO THE SEA - SAVANNAH
SHERMAN'S CAROLINA CAMPAIGN
The lower part of the front has a bronze wreath in which is inscribed:
SECOND
MASSACHUSETTS
INFANTRY
1861-1865
The lion for the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry is inscribed on the back of the base with the dedication:
IN HONOR
OF THE
TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE
OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN ITS RANKS
THIS MONUMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CITY OF BOSTON
The upper part of the front of the base is inscribed with the names of Civil War Battles:
BALL'S BLUFF - FAIR OAKS - GLENDALE
MALVERN HILL - ANTIETAM - FREDRICKSBURG
MARYE'S HEIGHTS - GETTYSBURG - BRISTOE STATION
THE WILDERNESS - SPOTTSYLVANIA- COLD HARBOR
PETERSBURG - APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE
The lower part of the front has a bronze wreath in which is inscribed:
TWENTIETH
MASSACHUSETTS
INFANTRY
1861-1865