Custer Monument (West Point) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Custer Monument |
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| United States | |
Custer monument next to his grave in the West Point Cemetery
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| For George Armstrong Custer | |
| Unveiled | 1879 |
| Location | 41°23′59.68″N 73°58′1.43″W / 41.3999111°N 73.9670639°W near |
| Burials by war | |
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"Custer"
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The Custer Monument is a special memorial at the West Point Military Academy. It is located in the West Point Cemetery. This monument honors Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. He was a famous military leader who died in a battle called the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876.
What is the Custer Monument?
The United States Congress decided to build a statue for Custer. They wanted it made from 20 old bronze cannons that were no longer used. The project cost $10,000. Most of this money, $6,000, was donated by people from New York.
The First Statue
The monument was first put in a different spot at West Point. It was near the academy's main building. The monument was revealed in 1879. It had a bronze statue of Custer standing on a base. The statue showed him holding a sword and a pistol.
However, Custer's wife and many military officers didn't think the statue looked like him. So, after only five years, the statue was taken down. It was sent to New York City. The plan was for an artist named Stanford White to remove just the top part of the statue. This part was supposed to be shown in a library. But after White's death, no one knows where the statue is now.
Where is it Now?
The base of the monument was moved to Custer's grave site. This happened in the West Point Cemetery around 1910. It was moved when a new building called Taylor Hall was being built. In 1965, a tall stone pillar, called an obelisk, was placed on top of the base. This is what you see there today.
Images for kids
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The monument and statue at its original location around 1880
