Waterbury in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Waterbury Soldiers' Monument

Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009

1. Waterbury Soldiers' Monument

Inscription. South Side
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 fot 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.
1861-1865

North Side
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!
1865-1885

Erected 1884.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 41° 33.42′ N, 73° 2.609′ W. Marker is in Waterbury, Connecticut, in New Haven County. Marker 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. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waterbury CT 06702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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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); POW / MIA Soldiers from Waterbury (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Enoch Hibbard House (about 500 feet away); Fortified House Of Ensign Stanley (about 500 feet away); UNICO National (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterbury.

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.

Inscription on the South side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009

2. Inscription on the South side

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 monument ?

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.

Poem on the North Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, June 4, 2009

3. Poem on the North Side

The statue on top of the Monument image. Click for full size.

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

<i>Soldiers' Monument, Waterbury, Conn.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

11. Soldiers' Monument, Waterbury, Conn.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,717 times since then and 76 times this year. 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. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.