Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
To The Defenders of the Union
1861 1865.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
1. The Defenders of the Union Marker
View of the front side of the historical monument.
[Front Side of Monument]
Antietam, Gettysburg,
Vicksburg, Cloyd Mountain,
Opequan, Appomattox.
lives dear unto them.
Erected 1880 by The Soldiers Aid Society of Wheeling.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 40° 3.866′ N, 80° 43.308′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. It can be reached from Market Street (West Virginia Route 2) north of 16th Street, on the right when traveling north. In 2018 the monument was moved from Wheeling Park to the north side of West Virginia Independence Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1528 Market Street, Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arthur J. Boreman (a few steps from this marker); First State Constitution (a few steps from this marker); WV Independence Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); First Wheeling Convention / Second Wheeling Convention (within shouting distance of this marker); Restored Government of Virginia
this page online
More about this marker. The monument, better known as the "Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument", was dedicated May 30, 1883 at its original location at 16th & Chapline St near the southwest corner of the old City County building. In 1958 it was moved to the highest bluff in Wheeling Park. In 2018 the restored monument (including the missing musket and tips of the shoes) was relocated outside the West Virginia Independence Hall. It was rededicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019.
Regarding To The Defenders of the Union. I was hoping to find some indication on the monument of a specific Union regiment or military unit that this monument might be dedicated to, but I was unable to locate any such text or inscription on the monument. A close examination of the stone surface of the main text of the monument gave me the impression that perhaps a portion of the text had been sanded
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
2. The Defenders of the Union Marker
A close-up view of the text on the lower half of the front side of the historical monument.
Also see . . .
1. Soldiers and Sailors Monument - Wheeling, West Virginia. Theclio.com presents a brief history of the monument. (Submitted on November 25, 2015.)
2. WV historic property inventory form (pdf file). Two surveys of the monument during its time at Wheeling Park. An updated form will be added for the new location. (Submitted on July 10, 2019, by Ernest Everett Blevins of Charleston, West Virginia.)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
3. The Defenders of the Union Marker
Close-up view of the text on the upper half of the front of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
4. The Defenders of the Union Marker
A close-up view of the text on the lower half of the back side of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
5. The Defenders of the Union Marker
Close-up view of the text on the upper half of the back of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
6. The Defenders of the Union Marker
View of the sculpted figure on the left side of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
7. The Defenders of the Union Marker
View of the sculpted figure on the right side of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
8. The Defenders of the Union Marker
View of the sculpted West Virginia state emblem, with state motto, on the upper front side of the historical monument.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
9. The Defenders of the Union Marker
Photographed by Ernest Everett Blevins, May 27, 2019
10. Detail of restored Soldier in May 2019
Photographed by Ernest Everett Blevins, May 27, 2019
11. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at new location beside West Virginia Independence Hall
Note the restoration of the musket which was damaged from the years in Wheeling Park.
Photographed by Ernest Everett Blevins, May 27, 2019
12. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at new location view from West Virginia Independence Hall
circa 1910
13. WHEELING, W. VA. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
Originally, the monument was located on the corner of 16th and Chapline Streets upon the grounds of the old county courthouse that is no longer there today. When the courthouse was demolished in April of 1926, it was moved to Leatherwood Cloverleaf. However, the monument was never assembled at this location because of controversy associated with the location itself. For 30 years, the monument was left unassembled while it remained at the Leatherwood Cloverleaf. In June of 1956, the monument was moved to Linly Military Institute, which was located at Thebdah Place. Just over two years later, the monument was again moved and this time reassembled at Wheeling Park on October 30, 1958. - theclio.com
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 3, 2021
14. To The Defenders of the Union Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,244 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 10, 11, 12. submitted on July 10, 2019, by Ernest Everett Blevins of Charleston, West Virginia. 13. submitted on November 25, 2015. 14. submitted on July 10, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
