Hackettstown Civil War Monument or 'Billy Yank' (Hackettstown, NJ)

Hackettstown Civil War Monument or 'Billy Yank' (Hackettstown, NJ)

On December 29, 1926, under a Court Order to widen State Highway Route 46, the monument affectionately known as 'Billy Yank' was toppled and the metal sold for junk. In May 1998, several local residents began a campaign to replace the destroyed Civil War Memorial Statue. A donation of land approximately 90 feet from the original site was received from Valley National Bank and Warren County and a contract for the Statue pedestal and park site plan, which included personalized pavers for the walkways, was negotiated.

J.W. Fiske Iron Works of New York City

american,unionmonument

Elena Koestel

Site

2633

1862-12-12

m x m x m

HMDB, http://www.hackettstownhistory.com/narticle_billyyank.shtml#:~:text=Fiske%20Iron%20Works%20of%20New,and%20smaller%20areas%20for%20dogs.

current,40.849083,-74.824033;

United States

Hackettstown Civil War Monument or 'Billy Yank' (Hackettstown, NJ)

TEXT

https://www.cineg.org/wiki/index.php/Hackettstown_Civil_War_Monument_or_'Billy_Yank'_(Hackettstown,_NJ)

true

Statue - standing soldier

Bronze

"“Remember you are Jerseymen” General Nathan Kimball, Dec 12, 1862 [battles] Rededicated May 28, 2001 to the men and families of the Hackettstown area who served to preserve the Union in the War Between The States 1861-1865 Ballad of the Monument As I stand alone here, do the people remember were the lives that were lost all in vain? We fought hard for our country, we fought hard for our honor, but now just our memories remain. We stand for our country, we stand for our future We are proud of the price that we paid. And we know that our children embrace all their freedoms and we know that they would all do the same. What do we tell our children, and each generation just what the fighting was for? What a price they must suffer, the fathers and mothers, who send their own sons off to war. We stand for our country, we stand for our future We are proud of the price that we paid. And we know that our children embrace all their freedoms and we know that they would all do the same. Kevin A. McCann June 4, 1998 The Old Monument Speaks Here I have stood for many years. Placed here by patriots mid lusty cheers. Millions of people have passed me by, Millions of hearts have heaved a sigh. I am a memory of living and dead, who struggled for the Union as Lincoln said. The struggle was bitter and the toll was great. Brother killed brother, love turned to hate. I must give way to the automobile. That is the way I was made to feel. Surely some spot can be found. The ideals I stand for I still can profound. But alas, here comes the junkman with stout rope. He has pulled me to the concrete and my back is broke. Where are the citizens of yesteryear, who placed me here with lusty cheers? I think the citizens of Hackettstown could at least have gently taken me down. I was a memorial to the boys of Sixty-Five, but few of them are now alive. Who remembers the famous day and year when the patriots of Hackettstown placed me here? The boys it seems are not forgotten, as I lie in the junk pile to rust and rotten. Charles Augustus Stewart Gulick January 14, 1927 Remember you are Jerseymen I stand before you calm and serene. My expression belies the horrors I’ve seen. My coat of blue, now bronze bereaved, a patina of age I never achieved. We find in life tempests to brave, swords to clash and ideals to save. I saw my duty to follow such light, no matter the fury or how dark the night. I stand as a guidon for Jerseymen fair, protecting our Union from threats we share. Though I stand a statue, a Jerseyman Blue, I was once a young man made of flesh like you. No more verdant hills or streams will I roam. To you I bequeath this land as your home. Protect her and the children from tyrants and fools and “Remember you are Jerseymen” where freedom rules. Gerard A. Geiger May 22, 2000"

New Jersey

Warren

Union

Hackettstown

Cemetery