Battle Monument (West Point) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle Monument |
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| United States Military Academy | |
Battle monument, June 2009
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| For Officers and soldiers of the Regular Army killed in the US Civil War | |
| Unveiled | 30 May 1897 |
| Location | 41°23′40.93″N 73°57′24.66″W / 41.3947028°N 73.9568500°W near |
| Designed by | Stanford White & Frederick MacMonnies |
| Commemorated | 2,230 Officers & soldiers of the Regular Army |
| Burials by nation | |
| Burials by war | |
The Battle Monument is a very tall and important monument. It is located at the West Point military school in West Point, New York. The monument stands on a place called Trophy Point. It was designed by Stanford White.
Contents
The Monument's Story
Why Was the Monument Built?
The idea for the Battle Monument started during the American Civil War. On June 15, 1864, General George B. McClellan dedicated the spot where the monument would stand. He said it was to remember the officers and soldiers of the Regular Army who died in the war. His speech ended with a dedication to "brave men, loyalty, patriotism and honor."
Building the Monument
The monument itself was officially opened on May 30, 1897. Many veterans who had fought in the American Civil War were there. The money to build it came from monthly payments. These payments were made by the officers and soldiers of the Regular Army.
The main part of the monument is a large granite column. It is about 46 feet (14 meters) tall and 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. This granite came from Branford, Connecticut. It is thought to be the biggest polished granite column in the Western Hemisphere.
Remembering the Fallen
Around the column, there are eight large "cannon balls." Bronze straps wrap around these balls. On these straps, the names of 2,230 Regular Army officers and soldiers are written. These brave individuals died fighting for the Union during the Civil War.
The Statue of Fame
A beautiful female statue sits on top of the monument. It was designed by Frederick MacMonnies. This statue represents Fame. Interestingly, the statue you see today is actually the second one. Just a few months after the monument was first shown, people complained that the original statue was too big. So, MacMonnies agreed to replace it with a new one.
Image gallery
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After heavy winter snow
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The cannons bear the names of major Civil War battles
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Statue of Fame atop the monument
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Original statue in 1897
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Summer 2009
_July_2009.JPG)
