Belle Isle in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams

1810-1878

Alpheus S. Williams Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 22, 2021

1. Alpheus S. Williams Marker

Inscription. Hero of two wars. Judge. Editor. Postmaster. Diplomat. Member of Congress. An untiring servant of the people. An honor to the City of Detroit.

The Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and citizens of Detroit have erected this tribute to the valor and abilities of Alpheus S. Williams, Lieut-Colonel, First Michigan Infantry Volunteers in the War with Mexico. Brig.-General and Brevet Maj. General United States Volunteers in the Civil War.

Erected 1921 by the General Alpheus S. Williams Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil.

Location. 42° 20.367′ N, 82° 59.194′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Belle Isle. Memorial is at the intersection of Central Avenue and Inselruhe Avenue on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Belle Isle, Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Police Radio Dispatch (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Detroit Spanish American War Monument (about 500 feet away); Japanese Stone Lantern (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dancer (approx. ¼ mile away);

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International Peace Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); History of the Canals (approx. ¼ mile away); Perry's Victory (approx. 0.3 miles away); War of 1812 Cannons (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Regarding Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams. Monument, consisting of an equestrian statue of General Alpheus S. Williams, at Central and Inselruhe avenues, Belle Isle, Detroit. The statue is the work of the sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady. It depicts Williams sitting astride his horse and studying a baffle map during a storm. The General Alpheus S. Williams Association was formed in 1911 to spearhead the drive for the monument. The Detroit Common Council appropriated $25,000 for the site and base. Shrady was paid $30,000. The monument was unveiled on October 15, 1921.

[Alpheus S. Williams was born in Connecticut in 1810, but from 1837 to his death in 1878 he was a resident of Detroit. His military record was a most distinguished one. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 1st Michigan Infantry in the Mexican War. When the Civil War broke out, he was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers by

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 22, 2021

2. Alpheus S. Williams Marker

Lincoln. He commanded the Twelfth Corps at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Gettysburg, and he commanded the Twentieth Corps in Sherman's campaigns in 1864-65. He was elected to Congress in 1874 and died in 1878 before the expiration of his second term. See Joseph Greusel, General Alpheus S. Williams (Detroit, 1911), and Milo M. Quaife, ed., From the Cannon's Mouth: The Civil War Letters of General Alpheus S. Williams (Detroit, 1959).]

Alpheus Starkey Williams image. Click for full size.

Public domain -Brady National Photographic Art Gallery, circa 1862

3. Alpheus Starkey Williams

Lawyer, judge, journalist, U.S. Congressman, and a Union general in the American Civil War.

Photographed By Al Barrera

4. Alpheus S. Williams Marker

Photographed By Al Barrera

5. Alpheus S. Williams Marker

Statue as it sits in the middle of the intersection. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 22, 2021

6. Statue as it sits in the middle of the intersection.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,042 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on October 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on October 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on January 19, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 5. submitted on January 21, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 6. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.