To The Perpetual Memory (New Cumberland, West Virginia)
Union
This monument features at its apex a Union soldier holding the barrel of a rifle (which is pointed downwards) with both hands. The soldier stands upon a pedestal accented with swag-drapery and two ribboned laurel crowns hanging on either side, under which is engraved the name ‘W.A. Atkinson’.
In the centre of the pedestal’s front panel is a large engraving of the Grand Army of the Republic badge, worn by the members of the Union Army Veterans’ organisation. The design of the badge consists of three parts; first, an eagle with its wings spread holding a sword in its talons above two cannons and nine stacked cannonballs. Second, an American flag-style ribbon draped beneath the eagle and cannons. Lastly, the G.A.R. medal in the shape of a fine-pointed star depicting the goddess of liberty, a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, with two children kneeling below them. In the star points are the emblems for different branches of service: an anchor for sailors, a bugle for infantry, swords for cavalry, cannons for artillery and muskets for marines. The base of the pedestal is marked ‘Post No. 18 Dep’t W. VA.’
The tier below the pedestal is a structure with a roof-top pediment marked ‘Appomattox’, supposedly in reference to the 1865 Appomattox Court House Battle. In a recessed panel beneath the pediment, a bronze plaque engraved with the text ‘Yet Loved Ones Have Fallen…’. Finally, at the base of the tier is the inscription dedicated to the ‘Perpetual Memory Of The Defenders Of The Union, 1861 - 1865. Erected By The Citizens of Hancock Co., May 30th 1886.’
Monument type:
Statue - standing soldier
Artist:
Dedication Date:
1886-05-30
Address:
Hancock County
West Virginia
USA
Inscription:
To The Perpetual Memory Of The
Defenders
Of The Union, 1861 - 1865.
Erected By The
Citizens of Hancock Co., May 30th 1886.
Upper:
Yet Loved Ones Have Fallen
And Still Where They Sleep
A Sorrowing Nation Shall
Silently Weep.
And Spring's Brightest
Flowers With Gratitude Strew
O'er Thos Who Once Cherished
The Red, White, And Blue.
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Conception Date:
Opening Date:
Material:
Bronze,Bronze - white,Zinc
Size:
m x m x m
Creator:
Cost / Value:
Erected by:
Citizens of Hancock County
Funded by:
Local funding
Run by:
Indigenous Land
Organization/Curator:
Data Sources:
Read below for one of our contributor’s reflections on this monument