Sculpture of Civil War Soldier at Rest - Charlestown, New Hampshire - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Description from Smithsonian:

"A Civil War soldier stands at parade rest wearing a cap, coat and cape. He holds a rifle in front of him with both hands around the top of the barrel. The rifle butt rests in front of his proper right foot. He wears a bayonet and sheath and a small round pouch on the proper left side of his belt. Another square pouch is on the rear of his belt. The white granite sculpture is mounted upon a base composed of a rectangular block with a wide base. The base is made of darker granite with rough-cut sides. On the front of the base is a G.A.R. emblem containing an eagle, crossed cannons and a medal of honor.

The sculpture cost approximately $1,500 and was installed in honor of Charlestown men who served in the Civil War. Efforts to erect the sculpture began in 1894 when the Young Men's Debating Club sponsored several fundraising events. In 1897, the Soldiers Monument Association was formed to raise money through public subscription. In 1911, the monument was ordered from a Vermont firm and reportedly a relative of a Charlestown resident may have been the model for the Civil War soldier.

The bronze plaque bearing the names of Charlestown men who served in World War I was a later addition and was dedicated during Memorial Day exercises in 1929. The sculpture was cleaned in 1992."

TITLE: Sculpture of Civil War Soldier at Rest ARTIST(S): Unknown DATE: 1911. Installed Aug. 1911. Dedicated Oct. 6, 1911. Rededicated 1929. MEDIUM: Sculpture: White Bethel granite; Base: Vermont granite. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS NH000364 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Main Street Charlestown, New Hampshire DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: None noted

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