USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County soldiers' and sailors' monument. Scenes and incidents from its inception to its completion.--Description of the memorial structure, and roll of honor > Part 36
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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
following day, General Leggett was assisted on his horse and he led the way into the city. When he had par- tially recovered from his wounds, he was brevetted Major-General and given another command. He com- manded two expeditions, one to Monroeville, La., and another to the Yazoo River. In 1864, when Sherman conducted his raid to Meridian, he was in command of his division, and he participated in all battles of the Atlanta campaign, receiving high commendation from General Sherman. He captured the mountain to the left of the Kenesaw during a severe storm, when the thunder completely drowned the noise of battle. He was ordered by General McPherson, on the evening of July 20, 1864, to capture a hill overlooking Atlanta, which was strongly fortified and held by a large force of the enemy. This he did on the following morning, when, after a fierce battle, he succeeded in capturing prisoners almost equal in number to his own whole force. The fierce battle of the day following this was brought on by the desperate attempts of the rebels to recapture this position, when they were repulsed with great loss of life on both sides. In this battle, General McPherson was killed at the very outset when trying to get to General Leggett. For valor shown in this en- gagement, General Leggett was made a full Major-Gen- eral. He was with General Sherman during the whole of the march to the sea, and his last engagement was at Pocataligo, S. C., where, after a running fight of twenty miles, he captured Fort Pocataligo, in January, 1865, releasing the Union forces from Savannah and opening the way through the Carolinas. When the War ended he was given the highest congratulations on all sides, and when Grant became President he was made Com- missioner of Patents. There he served four years and then removed to Cleveland, where he established him- :self as a patent lawyer. He is connected with a num-
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ber of important business enterprises, and is foremost in every work for the good of the city.
As a citizen, General Leggett is highly esteemed. He has been engaged in many philanthropic works, though. of these he speaks little. Degrees have been conferred. on him by Oberlin, Marietta, Columbia, Muskingum, Harvard and Cornell Colleges. He was appointed a member of the Commission in April, 1888, and elected a member of the Permanent Commission upon its organi- zation.
VALEDICTORY.
Our mission is o'er. Our task is completed. Our work of love has become a reality, ending in a blaze of glory and triumph that has amply compensated every member of the Commission for their many years of de- voted work. With gratitude and thanks to the Lord, to the generous people of our county, to our gallant Comrades of the Union Army and Navy, we have only to express our fondest wish that the handsomest tribute to patriotism in the world will prove a genuine source of pride and supreme pleasure to the present and many succeeding generations.
And now, " with charity for all, with malice toward none," we confidently submit the result of our labor to the test of popular judgment, and commit it to the ten- der care and everlasting watchfulness of the patriotic people of Cuyahoga County, through whose devotion and generosity this truly superb and picturesque Memo- rial will forever perpetuate her gallant and heroic representatives in the unfortunate but ever memorable. period of the Civil War.
FINIS CORONAT OPUS.
THE PERMANENT MONUMENT
COMMISSION.
XXVII.
T HE Commissioners held their final meeting in the parlors of the Hollenden Hotel, Cleveland, O., on Wednesday evening, July 18th, 1894; the President in the Chair; Levi F. Bauder, Secretary. All of the members were present, except Commissioner Walters, from whom a letter was read expressing regret for liis absence. The President stated the object of the meeting to be the selection and appointment of a Board of five Commissioners, to be known and designated as "The Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Commissioners," pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed May 14th, 1894. (Ohio Laws, vol. 91, p. 741.)
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Barnett, seconded by Commissioner Bohm :
Resolved, That the new Board of five Permanent Commissioners, to be elected by this Board, be chosen by ballot, the first ballot taken to be informal.
The resolution was unanimously adopted, whereupon an informal ballot was held, succeeded by a formal ballot, resulting in the election of the following Com- rades as
THE PERMANENT COMMISSION :
WILLIAM J. GLEASON, JOSEPH B. MOLYNEAUX, J. J. ELWELL, M. D. LEGGETT, JAMES PICKANDS.
Immediately thereafter the Commission adjourned, to meet again, if necessary, on the call of the President.
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The Chairman announced dinner in waiting in an ad- joining parlor, to which the members proceeded and took seats around the festive table. And now, after nearly fifteen years of labor, planning, worry and innumerable meetings, care and responsibility were at last at an end; our object was accomplished, and the evening was given over to hearty enjoyment. We were the boys, the same old boys we were thirty years ago. The President assigned Comrade James Barnett to the position of toastmaster, a place that he filled with a dignity and geniality that is his well known characteristic. Rigid formality was set aside; sociability, good cheer pre- dominated. Five hours were passed in the most delight- ful manner. In response to pertinent toasts, impromptu speeches were made by each of the Commissioners. What sincere good-fellowship was exhibited, what stirring reminiscences were indulged in, what genuine appreciation was shown, what glorious incidents were recalled, what a supremely happy time we enjoyed only those present can ever realize. How our minds and hearts will ever bear in vivid remembrance the blissful night we passed together!
Among the many joyful pictures that cluster about the memory of the Commissioners none is handsomer than the ever-memorable scene of our first banquet.
As a fitting ending to the charming occasion, the President offered a resolution, "That an annual reunion of the Commissioners be held, to be kept up so long as the Lord would kindly spare our lives," said resolution being enthusiastically adopted.
AU REVOIR.
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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
ORGANIZATION OF THE PERMANENT COMMISSION.
Agreeable to appointment, the members of the Per- manent Commission met in the office of the President, on Tuesday, July 24th, 1894, at II o'clock A. M., for organization.
The official oath was administered by Comrade Edward H. Bohin, Justice of the Peace, who kindly volunteered his services.
On motion of Comrade Elwell, seconded by Courrade Molyneaux, Comrade William J. Gleason was elected President of the Commission, his election being unanimous.
The President-elect expressed his sincere thanks for the high honor conferred upon him, and said that in the future, as in the past, it would be his earnest ambition to carry out his duties so as to merit the approval of the Commission, and of the Soldiers and citizens of the county. He further expressed the earnest hope that the new Commission would live for many years in peace and harmony, always watchful of the proper care of the beautiful Monument and its surroundings.
On motion of Comrade Elwell, seconded by Comrade Gleason, Comrade Joseph B. Molyneaux was chosen as Secretary, his choice being unanimous.
The Secretary said that, while he was not a candidate for the position, now that he was elected, he would accept. He expressed his warmest thanks to the Com- mission, adding that it would give him pleasure to faithfully perforin the duties of his office.
The President, Secretary and Comrade J. J. Elwell were elected the Executive Committee, said Committee being empowered to draft suitable rules and regulations for the Commission, for the guidance of visitors to the Memorial, and also to govern the custodian and other employes.
The officers were authorized to procure the necessary
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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
books and supplies, and arrangements were perfected for regular meetings of the Commission.
The future care of Cuyahoga's magnificent Memorial to her patriotic representatives is in the hands of its friends. It will be the pride and glory of the Permanent Commission to watch over it, to hand it down to future generations in all of its sublime grandeur-an object lesson of patriotism to all who may come after us.
DESCRIPTION
OF
THE MEMORIAL.
VIEW OF MONUMENT FROM NORTHWEST.
A T a meeting of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, held at Bedford, June 17th, 1886, it was determined that the time had arrived to commence the undertaking, which had for many years been con- templated by that body, of erecting the Memorial that had been authorized by Legislative enactment ; accord- ingly a vote was taken as to the character and style of the structure, and the result was about an equal division as to the desirability of a shaft or a Memorial Hall. Capt. J. B. Molyneaux suggested the happy idea of com- bining the two plans, by having for a central feature a shaft or column and at the base a Memorial or relic room, which was afterwards changed to a tablet room. This suggestion was enthusiastically adopted and the Committee was instructed to proceed with the work of preparing plans and construction. In accordance with such instructions, the Committee met in the office of the County Commissioners in this city, on Jan- tary 29th, 1887, President William J. Gleason, pre- siding, and Levi F. Bauder, acting as Secretary. Capt. Molyneaux introduced a resolution inviting Levi T. Scofield to prepare plans and designs for the Monu- ment. Mr. Scofield declined to accept employment ; and later on, the appointment of Chairman of the Committee on Plans ; but finally consented to act with the Committee on Plans, on condition that the entire Monument Committee would aid in preparing the de- signs, he agreeing to put their ideas in shape, when furnished, providing they would accept such services without compensation. This was agreed to, and the Committee at once commenced their task. It was soon
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discovered that the County Commissioners were more favorable to contracting with some monument manu- facturer, as they were in the habit of doing for a bridge or ditch. This occasioned about a year's delay, and the Committee decided to proceed without the aid of these officials. An act was passed April 16th, 1888, appointing a Commission of twelve members to act independently of the County Commissioners. The new Board were unanimously in favor of departing from the stereotyped soldiers' monument design, and instead prepare one that would be historical and educational as pertaining to events of the War for the preservation of the Union. The principal features of the exterior of the Monument were to be four realistic groups of bronze statuary, rep- resenting in heroic size the four principal branches of the service : Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and the Navy ; not in the stiff and inartistic attitudes of dress parade, but in fierce conflict, with worn garments to accord, and the supple action of men whose muscles were trained by rushing through brush and swamps to capture breast- works. With this in view, it was deemed inappropriate to have for a background to such scenes a building in Classical, Gothic, Romanesque or other popular style of architecture, but instead to substitute a style made up entirely of military and naval embleins, realizing of course that such a departure from the conventional styles would cause the pencils to be sharpened, in in- tended criticism, of those who claim to form the artistic opinions of the world, and content to await the approval of the public, when, after familiarity with the details, they would be educated to understand their meaning.
The foundation of the column, or shaft proper, is twelve feet square, around which is the tablet room, whose four walls are lined with the beautifully colored marble tablets on which are engraved the names of the ten thousand of Cuyahoga's brave sons who were
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willing to risk their all for their country. To have ample space from which to view these tablets necessi- tated the planning of a roomn forty feet square, and, to be properly proportioned, twenty feet high. The walls are three feet thick. Surrounding the building is an esplanade five feet above the grade line and approached by circular steps at the four corners. Upon the same are built four massive pedestals, each nine by twenty- one feet and ten feet high. To secure a proper walking and standing space around these pedestals and the nec- essary railings, required the building of an esplanade one hundred feet square. To the top of the surmount- ing figure above the carefully proportioned column and building is one hundred and twenty-five feet.
The steps and massive platforms composing the es- planade are of red Medina stone polished to a smooth surface. The ramps and pedestals of same are of buff Amherst stone. The building is of black Quincy granite, random coursed, with Amherst stone trimmings. The roof of this structure is made of slabs of stone twelve inches thick, ingeniously fitted together so as to be ab- solutely water-tight. Above the roof is a connecting pedestal to thie die of the column in the form of a bas- tioned fort with guns in barbette, the projecting bastions forming an outline that blends with the sloping gables of the building, making harmonious connections be- tween the column and the broad base of the Monument.
The die of the columnin is of Amherst stone, represent- ing a section of a fortified tower ; is nine feet in diame- ter, with projecting moldings twelve feet. The shaft of the column is of polished black Quincy granite in ten blocks, each weighing about fourteen tons, the lower end seven feet in diameter and the upper six and one- half feet. At the alternate joints of the shaft are six bronze foliated bands, seventeen inches in width, con- taining the names of thirty of the most prominent bat-
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tles of the War, commencing alphabetically at the top in the following order: Antietam, Atlanta, Bentonville, Cedar Mountain, Chickamauga, Corinth, Donelson, Five Forks, Fort Fisher, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Gettys- burg, Kennesaw, Knoxville, Mission Ridge, Mobile, Monitor-Merrimac, Nashville, New Orleans, Pea Ridge, Perryville, Petersburg, Resaca, Riclunond, Shiloh, Spot- sylvania, Stone's River, Vicksburg, Fort Wagner, Wil- derness, and Winchester. The above list was compiled after corresponding with some of the most prominent historians and generals of the army.
All that shows above the granite shaft, about forty- one feet in height, is of cast bronze, weighing nearly thirty thousand pounds. The first member above, or neck of the column, is in the form of a gabion. The bell of the capital is divided by eight bent fasces, be- tween which are the emblems of the eight principal branches of the service, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Navy, Engineers, Ordnance, Signal and Quartermaster.
The volutes of the capital, while properly propor- tioned, have a resemblance to pieces of artillery, witli wheels, muzzles, trails, etc. The abacus is pierced for armament and is nearly twelve feet across in its widest part. These different imembers are separated by ropes, blockading chains, etc., instead of moldings ; a row of cap pouches is substituted for leaf ornaments. Above the abacus the pedestal is in the form of a moni- tor turret with projecting guns, terminating in a member encircled with the stars and stripes, on which stands the Amazonian figure of Liberty, fifteen feet in height, in the attitude of defense.
The bronze statuary in the four groups on the pedes- tals is made about one-third larger than life, being from seven and one-half to eight feet two inches in height. The Infantry group, representing "The Color Guard," is from an actual incident of the War, and de-
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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
picts with vivid truthfulness, as the sculptor saw it, the gallant defense of the flag of the 103rd Ohio Infantry, at the battle of Resaca, where the lion-hearted sergeant Martin Striebler and his gallant guard of eight cor- porals stood before the enemy's fire until they were all killed or wounded. The Artillery group, "At Short Range," represents a piece in action, fully manned, with an officer in command. The gun is depressed; the abandoned shell in front shows that canister has been substituted. No. I has rammed the charge home ere the deadly minie-ball pierced his heart, and he clutches the rammer rigidly as he throws himself across the g1111 for support. No. 2 has fallen in his position. No. 3, the reliable red-whiskered farmer, has left the vent and taken the Corporal's place at the trail. No. 4, while attaching the lanyard hook to the friction primer, is looking down at his fallen comrade. The sturdy gunner, with left hand on elevating screw, while notic- ing the obstruction on the gun, holds his right hand out from the trail, giving notice for the inen to be steady. The officer, who has been looking with his field glass, has not noticed his wounded men, and, pointing with his finger says "A little more to the right, Corporal." The Cavalry group, "The Advance Guard," represents a detachment that has struck the line of the enemy. A trooper is still astride his horse that has fallen with a bad wound. A venturesome Con- federate soldier has noticed his predicament and has made a rush for the guidon, but the cavalryman has whipped ont his revolver, has given " Johnny Reb " one in the face, and is prepared for another shot. A fine looking Confederate officer has seized the rebel flag from the fallen bearer, and is cheering his men to the assault. A dismounted trooper in front, on one knee, is covering his man with his carbine. The bugler has been sent forward from the reserve by his officer to
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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
see how matters are progressing at the front; finding them hard pressed, and stubbornly trying to hold their ground, he has dismounted, and is sending back a bugle call for assistance. The Confederate soldiers were in- troduced in this historical group to show to posterity what they and their flag were like. The Navy group, "Mortar Practice," represents a scene near Island No. IO on the Mississippi River, where an officer and five inen are loading a mortar, preparatory to shelling the intrenchments.
As before stated, the character of the building is in the order of military and naval emblems. The windows represent semi-circular casemate openings, with vertical cannons supporting the caps instead of columns. The inetope spaces in the frieze of the cornice are filled withi richly carved army corps badges, encircled with laurel wreaths planted on shields. The triglyphs separating them are in the form of the stars and stripes of our flag. The cresting of the cornice is formed of embattlements through which show muzzles of guns. At the four corners of the cornice are pedestals suggesting capstans, on which are supported bronze flag poles. It is the intention to have a flag at one pole every day of the year, and on holidays at the four corners.
Instead of the usual reed moldings at the corners of pilasters, sponge staff and hand spike emblems have been substituted.
Over the doors at each of the north and south en- trances are panels with the dates 1861-1865. Over the north entrance is the Ohio State Seal, and over the south entrance the United States Seal, flanked by bat- tle axes and draped flags. The gables at the east and west sides have respectively the badges of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion, bordered by draped flags. In the north and southi gables in bold letters is engraved "Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument."
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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
Upon entering the building from Superior Street, the visitor is struck with an effective group of life-size figures in a cast bronze panel, seven by ten feet, repre- senting the Emancipation of the Slave. The central figure in full relief is Abraham Lincoln, his right hand extended holding the shackles that have been taken from the bondsman kneeling at his feet, while with the left he hands him the gun and accouterments. This feature explains more clearly the law which authorized Lincoln to issue the proclamation, and also required the government to employ the slave as a soldier. At the right of the President stand Salmon P. Chase and John Sherman, the financial men of the war period, and on the left are Ben. Wade and Joshua R. Gid- dings, who were Lincoln's main-stays in the anti-slavery movements. In the background, in bas-relief, are rep- resented the Army and the Navy. Overhead is the clos- ing paragraph of the proclamation, written by Chase and adopted by Lincoln, " And upon this act, sincerely be- lieved to be an act of justice, warranted by the Consti- tution, upon military necessity, I invoke the consider- ate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God."
The panel on the west side of the shaft is called "The beginning of the war in Ohio." The central three figures are the war governors Dennison, Tod and Brough, flanked on the right by Generals Mcclellan, Cox and Garfield, and on the left by Generals Rose- crans, Hayes and Gilmore. In the background on one side is represented the recruiting service and on the other the troops marching to the front. The panel on the south side represents the Sanitary Commission, the Soldiers' Aid Society and the Hospital Service. The figures shown are Mrs. Benj. Rouse, President; Miss Mary Clarke Brayton, Secretary ; Miss Ellen F. Terry, Treasurer ; Miss Sara Mahan, Clerk; and Vice-Presi-
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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
dents Mrs. John Shelley, Mrs. Win. Melhinch and Mrs. J. A. Harris. The hospital work is represented by Mrs. R. B. Hayes, Mrs. Peter Thatcher, and a Sister of Charity dressing the arm of a wounded soldier lying on a cot. Under this panel is the official list of names of those who were active in assisting the officers of the Commission during the war.
The fourth panel is entitled, " The end of the war, or the peace-makers at City Point." The scene is where Lincoln left his steamer "River Queen " and went ashore to visit Grant's headquarters. Gen. Sherman had been invited by Grant to make him a visit for con- sultation, as he usually did before making any important movement; he was accompanied by Gen. Leggett. The other figures in the group are Robert T. Lincoln, Gen- erals Rawlins, Crook, Sheridan, Custer, Meade, Ord, War- ren, Humphrey, and Commodore Porter, fourteen in all. This conference led to the battle of Five Forks and the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. These bronze historical panels are framed with molded colored mar- ble bases, with massive fasces at the four corners, and heavy molded caps. Above the panels and extend- ing to the ceiling, the shaft is encased by colored marble.
In each of the four fasces are three large sized bronze medallions of prominent Ohio commanders, the officers chosen being Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War ; Generals J. B. McPherson, James B. Hazen, A. Mc- Dowell McCook, Manning F. Force, James B. Steed- man, J. S. Casement, A. C. Voris, J. J. Elwell, George W. Morgan, Emerson Opdycke and Surgeon C. A. Hart- mail.
Between the arches of the windows on the east and west walls are six niches in which rest bronze busts of officers who were killed in action : Col. W. R. Creigh- ton, Lieut .- Col. Mervine Clarke, Maj. J. B. Hampson,
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Capt. Wm. W. Hutchinson, Capt. William Smith (who subsequently died from wounds received in battle), and Capt. Wallis J. Woodward.
By a vote of the Commission, the bronze busts of Gen. James Barnett and Capt. Levi T. Scofield were ordered placed over the north and south doors, the former in honor of his distinguished patriotism during the war, he having held the highest rank of any com- rade from our county ; the latter in recognition of his brilliant services, as architect and sculptor, to the peo- ple of the County and to the Commissioners.
The marble ceiling is composed of heavy slabs of light blue color about 6 feet 6 inches square, and the molded ribs surrounding same are of a rich green color. In the marble work over the entrances are two inscrip- tions. Over the north entrance :
Cuyahoga County's tribute to those who gave, and those who offered to give their lives, that the Nation might live.
Written by President William J. Gleason.
Over the south entrance :
Break ranks and rest till the last trumpet's call Shall sound the fateful reveille for all.
Written by Secretary Levi F. Bauder.
On the shaft, above the panel of the Sanitary Com- mission, is engraved the following quotation from a patriotic Memorial Day address of Henry Ward Beecher :
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