Equestrian statue of James B. McPherson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Major General James B. McPherson |
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| Brigadier General James B. McPherson | |
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| Artist | Louis Rebisso |
| Year | 1876 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 430 cm × 370 cm (168 in × 144 in) |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Owner | National Park Service |
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Equestrian statue of James B. McPherson
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Part of | Civil War Monuments in Washington, DC. |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000257 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 1978 |
The statue of Major General James B. McPherson is a famous public artwork in Washington, D.C., United States. It was created by the American artist Louis Rebisso. You can find this impressive statue in McPherson Square.
This monument is a bronze statue showing a person riding a horse. It honors James B. McPherson, a brave hero from the American Civil War. The statue is considered an important part of the Civil War Monuments in Washington, D.C.. These monuments are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The memorial shows General McPherson sitting on his horse. He is turned slightly to his right, as if he is looking over a battlefield. He holds the horse's reins in his left hand. In his right hand, he holds a pair of field glasses, which are like binoculars.
His horse looks like it's in the middle of walking. Its right front leg is lifted, and its head is turned down. The statue sits on a large, rectangular base made of granite. This base is about 12 feet tall and 6 feet deep.
Details on the Base
The granite base has some special decorations. Around the top, there is a ring of small wreaths. A wreath is a circle made of leaves or flowers, often used as a symbol of honor. Around the bottom, there is a ring of stars and a ring of cannonballs.
The west side of the base has words carved into it:
MAJ. GEN. JAMES B. McPHERSON
ATLANTA
The east side of the base also has words carved into it:
ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES
OF THE SOCIETY OF
How the Statue Was Made
Interestingly, the bronze used to make this statue came from Confederate cannons. These cannons were captured during the Battle of Atlanta.
The design for the statue's base was created by a company called Smithmeyer & Pelz. The stone for the base was provided by Westham Granite Works.
The United States Congress officially approved the creation of this sculpture on March 3, 1875. The money for the statue came from the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, which was a group of soldiers who fought together.
The statue of Major General James B. McPherson was put in place on October 18, 1876. This happened during the 11th yearly meeting of the Army of the Tennessee group. At that time, the area was called Scott Square, but now it is known as McPherson Square.
