Equestrian statue of George Henry Thomas facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 38°54′21″N 77°01′56″W / 38.9057173°N 77.0320979°W |
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Equestrian statue of George Henry Thomas
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Part of | Civil War Monuments in Washington, D.C. |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000257 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 1978 |
| Location | Thomas Circle, Washington, D.C., United States |
| Designer | John Quincy Adams Ward (sculptor) John L. Smithmeyer, Paul J. Pelz (architects) |
| Material | Bronze (sculpture) Granite (base) |
| Height | 16 feet (4.9 m) |
| Opening date | November 19, 1879 |
| Dedicated to | George Henry Thomas |
The Major General George Henry Thomas monument, also called the Thomas Circle Monument, is a large statue in Washington, D.C.. It's an equestrian sculpture, meaning it shows a person riding a horse. This monument honors George Henry Thomas, a brave general from the American Civil War.
You can find the statue in the middle of Thomas Circle. This circle is located between the downtown and Logan Circle areas. The famous sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward created this artwork. He also worked on the statue of George Washington in New York City. When the monument was first shown in 1879, many important people attended. These included President Rutherford B. Hayes and several famous generals. Thousands of soldiers also came to see it.
This statue is one of eighteen Civil War monuments found in Washington, D.C. All these monuments were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Many art experts believe it's one of the best horse-and-rider statues in the city. The statue sits on an oval base. The National Park Service takes care of both the statue and the park around it.
Contents
The Story Behind the Statue
Who Was General Thomas?
George Henry Thomas was a key general for the Union Army during the Civil War. He was very important in the war's Western Theater. During the Battle of Chickamauga, he helped save the Union Army from a big defeat. Because of his bravery, he earned the nickname "Rock of Chickamauga."
How the Statue Was Made
After the war, a group of veterans called the Society of the Army of the Cumberland wanted to honor General Thomas. They decided to build a monument using bronze cannons captured from the Confederate side. They chose John Quincy Adams Ward to sculpt the statue. He started working on it in 1875.
The Society paid $40,000 for the sculpture itself. Later, Congress provided $25,000 for the pedestal and base. The final cost for the base was $20,000. The contract for the statue said that three of the horse's feet had to touch the ground. This was to make the statue look very stable and natural.
General Thomas's wife, Frances, helped the sculptor. She gave Ward photos of her husband. She also lent him Thomas's uniform and saddle. This helped Ward make the statue look very realistic. When Ward finished the plaster model in 1879, everyone loved it. The Society was so impressed that they later asked him to design other monuments.
Architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz designed the monument's base. They are famous for designing the Thomas Jefferson Building. The Bureau Brothers Foundry cast the bronze sculpture. The stone parts were made by M. K. Chase. The traffic circle where the monument stands was once called Memorial Circle. It was renamed Thomas Circle when the statue was put there.
The Big Unveiling Day
The monument was officially shown to the public on November 19, 1879. About 50,000 people came to watch. Harper's Weekly magazine said it was the biggest ceremony ever held in the city.
A Grand Celebration
The event included a two-mile military parade. General Thomas Turpin Crittenden led the procession. It included about 500 veterans from the Army of the Cumberland. There were also 1,000 army troops, 1,000 marines and sailors, and state troops. Generals Irvin McDowell, Philip Sheridan, and William Tecumseh Sherman were also part of the parade.
Seven military bands played music during the procession. The United States Marine Band led the way. The parade started near the U.S. Capitol. It marched past President Rutherford B. Hayes at the White House. Then it continued towards the monument.
Many buildings along the parade route were decorated. Almost every building on Pennsylvania Avenue had flags and streamers. The Quartermaster General's office was especially decorated. It had many flags and a large picture of General Thomas.
The circle itself and the homes around it were also decorated. There were 38 tall poles around the circle. Each pole had the flag of a U.S. state. A special platform was built for 1,500 guests.
The Ceremony Begins
The ceremony started with a prayer. Then, the songs "Hail to the Chief" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" were played. The statue was then uncovered, and a thirteen-gun salute was fired. After the unveiling, a choir of 100 men sang hymns. The Marine Band played music.
General Anson G. McCook gave the main dedication speech. Senator Stanley Matthews also spoke. He presented the statue as a gift to the country. President Hayes accepted the monument for the American people. He said it was a "noble statue" that honored General Thomas. This monument was the sixth horse-and-rider statue in Washington, D.C.
Design and Location
The monument stands in the middle of Thomas Circle. This is where several streets meet, including 14th Street, M Street, and Massachusetts Avenue. In 2006, Thomas Circle was rebuilt. New sidewalks and landscaping make it easier for visitors to reach the monument.
The entire monument is about 32 feet (9.8 m) tall. The statue of General Thomas and his horse is about 16 feet (4.9 m) high. The bronze figures are about twice the size of real life.
What the Statue Shows
The statue shows General Thomas looking over a battlefield. He is at the top of a hill. He holds the horse's reins with his left hand. In his right hand, he holds his hat and gloves. Thomas wears a military coat and riding boots. His sword hangs at his side.
The horse looks straight ahead. Its mane and tail appear to be blowing in the wind. Its tense muscles and alert look show the horse's excitement. The horse was first designed to be a female horse. But General Thomas only rode male horses. So, changes were made to the sculpture. Still, the horse's slender head and neck might remind you of a female horse.
The statue stands on an oval granite base. This base has two decorative scrolls on each end. There's also a bronze badge of the Army of the Cumberland, which Thomas led. A laurel wreath is on each side of the base. The circular granite base has four steps. It also has four blocks that stick out from the pedestal. Gas lamps used to stand on these blocks but were removed around 1922.
Messages on the Monument
The monument has several important messages carved into it:
- (on the east side of the pedestal) ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES / OF THE SOCIETY OF / THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND
- (on the west side of the pedestal) MAJ. GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS / SAN FRANCISCO CAL. / MARCH 28, 1870
- (at the bottom of the sculpture, east side) J. Q. A. WARD SCULP 1879
- (at the bottom of the sculpture, west side) BUREAU BROS & HEATON / FOUNDERS. PHIL
See also
In Spanish: Estatua ecuestre de George Henry Thomas para niños
