Waterbury in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Waterbury Soldiers' Monument
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
1. Waterbury Soldiers' Monument
In honor of the patriotism and to perpetuate the memory of the 900 brave men who went forth from this town to fight in the war for the Union.
This monument has been erected by their townsmen that all who come after them may be mindful of their deeds, and fail not in the day of trial to emulate their example.
Brave men, who rallying at your country's call,
Went forth to fight - if Heaven willed, to fall!
Returned, ye walk with us through sunnier years,
And hear your nation say, God bless you all!
Brave men, who yet a heavier burden bore.
And came not home to hearts by grief made sore!
They call you dead and lo ye grandly live.
Shrined in the nation's love forevermore!
Erected 1884.
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 41° 33.42′ N, 73° 2.609′ W. Monument is in Waterbury in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and Church Street, on the left when traveling east on West Main Street. Located at the west end of the Waterbury Green.
this page online
Regionally, this memorial monument is in the Connecticut River Valley, on the Connecticut Shoreline, and in Greater New Haven. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington – Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (a few steps from this marker); Present Settlement of Waterbury (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Waterbury Veteran’s Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Congregational Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lt. (Rev) Thomas Michael Conway (about 400 feet away); POW/MIA Soldiers from Waterbury (about 400 feet away); Enoch Hibbard House (about
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
2. Inscription on the South side
Regarding Waterbury Soldiers' Monument. The poem was written by Dr. Joseph Anderson of Waterbury history fame, and is included in the Library of American Literature.
Sculpted by former Waterbury resident George C. Bissell as a tribute to the whole Civil War experience, the 48-foot (15 m)-high bronze Soldiers' Monument on the west end of The Green was cast in Paris and cost $25,000. It was dedicated October 23, 1884.
Waterbury, CT is known as "Brass City". Virtually every Union Soldier, and most Confederates, had a buckle, buttons or some other brass piece made in Waterbury.
Also see . . .
1. History of the soldiers' monument in Waterbury, Conn. By Joseph Anderson for the Waterbury Soldiers' Monument Committee (Waterbury, Conn.) in 1886. (Submitted on September 8, 2009.)
2. George Edwin Bissell. Wikipedia entry for sculptor George Edwin Bissell (Submitted on August 10, 2010, by Adam Brown of Edinburgh, Scotland.)
Additional commentary.
1. cast in Paris ?
Very interesting monument !
Anybody can tell me the origin of this bronze
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
3. Poem on the North Side
You say : cast in Paris ? What name is written on the base of the statues ?
Thanks
www.fontesdart.org : a data base of french cast iron statues in the world...
Editor's Note: See page 41 at the first link above, quote, "The work of modelling the figures had meanwhile been going on, and they were cast (in bronze) in Paris, between September, 1883, and August, 1884, — the "Emancipation" group at the foundry of F. Barbedienne, and the other figures, the lamp-posts and the reliefs, at the establishment of J. Gruet, Jr."
— Submitted September 8, 2009, by Dominique Perchet of Paris, France.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
4. The statue on top of the Monument
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
5. South Side
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 2, 2009
6. North Side
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
7. West Side
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
8. West Side
The sculptured panel depicts Union troops on the left advancing toward Confederate soldiers on the right.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
9. East Side
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009
10. East Side
The sculptured panel depicts the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Inscription: Hampton Roads March 9, 1862
circa 1920
11. Soldiers' Monument, Waterbury, Conn.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,176 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 11, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 11. submitted on October 24, 2015. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
