Sep

Soldiers’ Monument, Brattleboro, VT

Brattleboro, Vt., honors local Civil War heroes with a monument featuring a bronze infantry soldier atop a two-staged granite pillar.

The monument, near the intersection of Route 30 (Linden Street) and Park Place, was dedicated in 1887.

A plaque on the front (south) face reads “This monument commemorates the loyalty of the men or Brattleboro who fought for liberty and the Union in the great rebellion of 1861-1865. Enlisted 381. Died in service 31. Erected by a grateful town AD 1887.”

The east side has a plaque that combines the U.S. and Vermont seals, displaying stars and stripes along with agricultural symbols including wheat sheaves and a cow.

A plaque on the north side reads, “Never forget what they did here” above a list of 17 Civil War battles.

The west side of the monument features a plaque with a bas-relief scene depicting a Union and a Confederate officer (who kind of resembles Robert E. Lee) shaking hands in front of an allegorical figure representing the United States. A kneeling African American is being presented with a scroll representing emancipation.

The west plaque’s scene features the inscription from Lincoln’s second inaugural address “With malice towards none, with charity for all,” as well as symbols honoring the cavalry (swords), Navy, (anchor), artillery (cannons) and infantry (rifles).

The infantry figure and plaques were cast by sculptor Melzar H. Mossman of Chicopee, Mass., who was also responsible for bronze figures in Middletown, Danielson, Bridgeport’s Seaside Park, and New Haven’s East Rock Park.

Not far from the Civil War monument stands a granite tribute to local residents who were killed in the World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. The monument, which features a decorative eagle atop its central pillar, is inscribed with approximately 30 names from World War I; 51 names from World War II; three names from the Korean War and six names from Vietnam.

Also not far from the war monuments is a memorial tree planted by the Woman’s Relief Corps, the auxiliary organization to the Grand Army of the Republic (the post-Civil War veterans’ organization). The WRC was also responsible for previously highlighted Civil War monuments in Clinton and Putnam, CT.