Civil War Monument - Derby, Connecticut
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 19.367 W 073° 05.356
18T E 659912 N 4576351
Civil War monument on the village green in Derby, Connecticut.
Waymark Code: WM4TDP
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 09/27/2008
Views: 15
A high granite pedestal and surmounting life-sized bronze figure. The soldier
wears a uniform consisting of a long coat, a cape buttoned at the top and a cap.
The mustached figure holds the barrel of a rifle with both hands. The butt of
the gun rests in front of his proper right foot. The pedestal on which he stands
is elaborately decorated with bronze plaques and carvings. Battle names appear
on each side. The four surfaces of the pedestal frieze are decorated in bronze
with foliage motifs flanking small central shields on the west and east;
egg-and-dart roundels flanked by laurel on the north and south. The surfaces of
the small attic above the pedestal cornice are decorated with bronze shields of
Connecticut and the United States on the front; a rosette in wreath on each of
the other three sides. Four 11 foot cannons are mounted diagonally at the
corners of the monument.
The Kellog Post of the G.A.R. appointed a Monument Committee in 1875 which was
successful in raising $1,475 for the monument. Their subscription book, at the
Hartcourt Wood Memorial Library, lists the names of donors and amounts of their
contributions, which generally were $10 or $25.00; but ranged upwards to
$200-500. The base of the contemplated monument was dedicated July 4, 1877; with
$1,500 raised for the erection of the pedestal in 1878. Several years later,
when an additional $3,200 was pledged, Maurice J. Power of New York was given a
contract to remodel the substructure and erect a bronze statue. It is believed
he employed M. J. Walsh to do the remodelling. It is believed the Quincy granite
sub-base dates from 1878; the Westerly stone portions and bronze figure date
from 1883. The remodelled monument was dedicated July 4, 1883. 8,000 people
attended the ceremonies. - From Smithsonian website
The monument is inscribed as follows:
In memory of the men of Derby and Huntington who fell in the service of their
country in the War of Rebellion 1861-1865 as defenders of liberty and
nationality.
On Fame's Eternal Camping Grounds Their Silent Tents Are Spread and Glory
Guards, With Scared Round the Bivouac of the Dead.
Erected by the people of Derby and Huntington A.D. 1883. In Honor of All Who
Fought in the Service of Their Country.
"That Government of the People, By the People, and For the People, Should Not
Perish From the Earth."