Battle Monument

Dedicated in 1897 by Civil War veterans who paid for the monument through their pay and by donation. The names of 2,230 officers and soldiers of the Regular Army are inscribed on the monument. The column was designed by Stanford White, while the statue atop the column was sculpted by Frederick MacMonnies. Dedicated 1897.

Battle Monument is a large doric column monument located on Trophy Point at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. Designed by Stanford White,[1] it was dedicated on 30 May 1897 by surviving Civil War veterans. The monument was financed by monthly contributions from the pay of the officers and soldiers of the regular army. The granite column, standing 46 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter, is reputed to be the largest column of polished granite in the Western Hemisphere. Inscribed on the cannons are the names of 2,230 Union officers and soldiers from the Civil War. Designed by Frederick MacMonnies, a female statue sits atop the monument, representing "fame". The statue that now tops the monument is actually the second version of the statue. Just months after it was unveiled, MacMonnies agreed to replace the original statue after complaints that it was too large and awkward. Traditionally, the plebes at West Point made reference to the statue of Fame when giving the following reply to any upperclassman demanding to know "How are they all?": "They are all fickle but one, sir."

Photo 184, June 2008

Battle Monument

Photo 185, June 2008

Battle Monument detail

Photo 187, June 2008

Battle Monument detail

Photo 192, June 2008