Soldiers' Monument - Belchertown, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 16.695 W 072° 24.094
18T E 714263 N 4683940
A monument dedicated primarily to Belchertown citizens who served in the Civil War; but in the Revolutionary or any colonial or United States war as well.
Waymark Code: WMCQTV
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/04/2011
Views: 5
On the Belchertown Town Common there is a tall monument which is topped with a statue of a Civil War soldier. It is dedicated to Belchertown Civil War veterans and also to those who fought in any colonial or United States war.
A highly decorated zinc shaft rests on a granite base. The shaft is topped with a statue of a Civil War soldier. The shaft and base is about 26' high and the figure of a Civil War soldier is about 6' high. The statue and shaft was cast in zinc by the Monumental Bronze Company in 1884. The monument, whose sculptor is unknown, was dedicated on September 15, 1885.
A Union Civil War soldier is wearing an infantry hat and overcoat with cape and is looking straight ahead. He is holding a rifle vertically in front of him with both hands together on the barrel, left over right. The rifle is turned sideways with the butt resting on the ground near his right foot with the butt extending over the base.
The elaborate zinc shaft is adorned with reliefs depicting flags, ammunition, drums, and garlands. On the east side of the shaft is a relief of a cavalry officer on horseback. On the west side of the shaft is a relief of the Grand Army badge and an infantry soldier. On the north side of the shaft is a profile relief of George Washington.
On the front of the base is a plaque with the inscription:
DEDICATED TO
THE
MEMORY OF THOSE
WHO FOUGHT AND DIED
FROM THIS TOWN IN THE
REBELLION 1861-1865
AND ALL SOLDIERS NOW
CITIZENS OF BELCHERTOWN.
ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF
ALL THOSE FROM
BELCHERTOWN WHO SERVED
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY OR ANY
COLONIAL
OR UNITED STATES WAR.
Above the plaque on the west side of base is inscribed:
ROLL OF THE HONORED DEAD WHO WENT FROM BELCHERTOWN AND
FOUGHT IN DEFENCE OF LIBERTY AND THEIR COUNTRY
A bronze plaque with the names of those from Belchertown who died in the Civil War.
Above the plaque on back of base is inscribed:
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
DIED IN SERVICE
A bronze plaque with a listing of deceased soldiers names.
Above the plaque on east side of base is inscribed:
SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF THE REBELLION NOW CITIZENS
OF BELCHERTOWN, WHO ENLISTED ELSEWHERE
A bronze plaque with a listing names.
Around the granite base are the names of Civil War battles:
GETTYSBURG
FAIR OAKS-PORT HUDSON
WILDERNESS
YORKTOWN