Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Boston) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soldiers and Sailors Monument
United States
The monument on Boston Common was erected in 1877.
For Massachusetts soldiers and sailors who died in the American Civil War
Unveiled	September 17, 1877
Location	42°21′19.7″N 71°3′59.1″W / 42.355472°N 71.066417°W / 42.355472; -71.066417 Boston Common near  Boston
Designed by	Martin Milmore

The monument in winter, seen from the west.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands tall on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts. It was built to remember the brave soldiers and sailors from Massachusetts. These heroes died fighting in the American Civil War. The monument was designed by Martin Milmore. Building started in 1874 and it was officially opened on September 17, 1877. Many important people, including Generals George B. McClellan and Joseph Hooker, attended the dedication. About 25,000 people came to see it on Boston Common.

What Does the Monument Look Like?

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is on a small hill. This spot is called Flag Staff Hill. The monument looks like an old Greek or Roman building. It is a tall column made of white granite. The monument reaches a height of about 38 meters (126 feet).

The bottom part of the monument is about 3.5 square meters (38 square feet). It has four bronze pictures carved into it. These are called bas-relief tablets.

• The first tablet is named The Departure for the War. It shows soldiers marching past the Massachusetts State House. They are leaving for the war.
• The second tablet is called The Sanitary Commission. It shows doctors and nurses helping wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
• The third tablet shows Union sailors fighting. It looks like a battle between a U.S. Navy ship and a Confederate ironclad ship. This might be the CSS Virginia.
• The fourth tablet is named The Return from the War. It shows soldiers coming home. They are marching past the State House again. They are giving their battle flags to Governor John Albion Andrew.

Above these bronze pictures, there are four large granite figures. Each figure is about 2.4 meters (8 feet) tall. They stand for the northern, southern, eastern, and western parts of the United States. These parts were reunited after the war. You can also see images of famous writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the bas-reliefs.

At the corners of the monument, there are four bronze statues.

• One statue represents peace. She holds an olive branch and faces south.
• Another statue represents history. She holds a book and looks up at the sky.
• There is a sailor statue. He wears a navy uniform and looks out towards the sea.
• The last statue is a citizen-soldier. He wears an army uniform and stands at ease.

For many years, the bases for these statues were empty. People wondered if the monument was never finished. Some thought the statues were stolen or put away. The mystery was solved in 2014. The statues were returned after being cleaned and fixed. This work was done at Daedalus Studios in Watertown.

On top of the tall column is a bronze female figure. She is called AMERICA. She faces south and wears a crown with thirteen stars. In her left hand, she holds the United States flag. In her right hand, she holds a laurel wreath and a sword.

What Does the Monument Say?

The bottom of the monument has a special message carved into it. It says:

TO THE MEN OF BOSTON WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY ON LAND AND SEA IN THE WAR WHICH KEPT THE UNION WHOLE DESTROYED SLAVERY AND MAINTAINED THE CONSTITUTION THE GRATEFUL CITY HAS BUILT THIS MONUMENT THAT THEIR EXAMPLE MAY SPEAK TO COMING GENERATIONS

This message means that the city of Boston built this monument. It is for the men who died fighting for the country. They fought to keep the United States together. They also fought to end slavery and protect the country's laws. The city hopes their bravery will inspire future generations.

Gallery

• 

  The inscription at the base.

• 

  The figure of America at the top.

• 

  One of the figures at the base.

• 

  The top of the monument.

See also

In Spanish: Monumento a los soldados y marineros (Boston) para niños