Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Nashua, New Hampshire) facts for kids
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Nashua, New Hampshire is a special memorial. It remembers the brave soldiers and sailors who fought in the American Civil War. This important monument was started on May 30, 1889. It was officially opened on October 15, 1889. You can find it in the middle of Nashua. It stands where Concord, Amherst, and Nashville streets meet.
About the Monument
What Does It Look Like?
The monument is a tall, square column. It is made from strong granite stone found in New Hampshire. At the very top stands a statue of "Victory." This figure looks like a Roman goddess. She holds an American shield and a laurel wreath, which is a symbol of winning.
The bottom part of the monument has more cool features. There are bronze statues of a soldier and a sailor. You can also see detailed bronze pictures, called reliefs. One shows the Goddess of Liberty helping the North and South become friends again after the war. Another shows a Union soldier giving a scroll to a kneeling figure. This represents the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved people.
There is also a picture of a famous sea battle. It shows the Alabama ship sinking. This happened when the Kearsarge ship defeated it. At the front of the monument, there's a sculpture of a saddle and cavalry gear. At the back, you can see sculptures of weapons from the Civil War.
Who Made This Monument?
Many talented people helped create the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. T. M. Perry designed the monument. His company, Frederick & Field, carved the Victory statue. They also built the monument and did all the granite work.
The bronze sailor statue was modeled by S. J. O'Kelley. It was then cast by Melzar Hunt Mosman. The bronze soldier statue was modeled by Caspar Buberl. It was cast by the Henry Bonnard Bronze Company. Melzar Hunt Mosman also made the artillery sculpture. He created the Emancipation relief and two other panels with writing. The Victory statue, the cavalry sculpture, and the sinking of the Alabama scene were modeled by Beattie & Brooks.
Messages from the Past
The monument has several important messages carved into it. These messages help us remember the purpose of the monument and the history it represents.
- On a bronze plaque at the front, it says:
A TRIBUTE TO THE
MEN OF NASHUA
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
ON LAND OR SEA DURING
THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION, AND AIDED IN PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY
OF THE
FEDERAL UNION.
A.D. 1861-1865.
ERECTED BY THE
CITY OF NASHUA,
A.D. 1889
This message means the monument honors the men from Nashua. They fought in the Civil War (also called the War of the Rebellion) from 1861 to 1865. They helped keep the United States together. The city of Nashua built this monument in 1889.
- On a relief plaque, there's a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln:
WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE
WITH CHARITY FOR ALL
This quote means we should treat everyone kindly, without anger or hate. It's a message of forgiveness and healing after the war.
- Another plaque describes a famous naval battle:
SINKING OF THE ALABAMA BY THE KEARSARGE JUNE 19, 1864
This reminds us of the important sea battle where the Union ship Kearsarge sank the Confederate ship Alabama.
