USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of the Cuyahoga County soldiers' and sailors' monument > Part 36
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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. Bohm, Justice of the Peace, who kindly volunteered his services.
On motion of Comrade Elwell, seconded by Comrade 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 tlie 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 perform 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, 1286, it was determined that the sme 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- mary 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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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
discovered that the County Commissioners were more favorable to contracting with some monument malli- 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, ISSS, 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 emblems, 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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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
willing to risk their all for their country. To have ample space from which to view these tablets necessi- tated the planning of a room 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 the die of the column in the forin of a bas- tioned fort with guns in barbette, the projecting bastions formning 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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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
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, Richmond, 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 armny.
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 eiglit 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, with wheels, muzzles, trails, etc. The abacus is pierced for armament and is nearly twelve feet across in its widest part. These different members 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 forin of a inoni- 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 gun 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 men 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 out 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 men 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 metope spaces in the frieze of the cornice are filled with 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 south gables in bold letters is engraved "Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument."
4
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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 otlier 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-
HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
dents Mrs. John Shelley, Mrs. Win. Melhinch and Mrs. 1. 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 Hou. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Generals J. B. McPherson, James B. Hazen, A. Mc- Dowell MeCook, 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- 111.111.
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,
SOLDIER Y AND NAILOPY MOREMINT.
Capt. Win. W. Hutchinson, Capt. William Smith wwho subsequently died from wounds received in battier, and Capt. Wallis J. Woodward.
By a vote of the Commision the bronze busts of Gen. James Barnett and Caps. 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 per- 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 trumper's call Shall sound the fateful reveille for all.
Written by Secretary Levi F. Bander.
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 :
" How bright are the honors which await those who, with wasted fortitude and patriotic patience have endured all things that they might save their native land from division and from the power of corruption. The honored dead! They that die for a good cause are redeemed from death. Their names are gathered and garnered Their memory is precious. Oh, tell me not that they are dead' That generous host, that airy army of invisible heroes. They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this nation. Are they dead that get speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language : Are they dead that yet act ? Are they dead that yet move upon so-
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HISTORY OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY
ciety, and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism? Till the mountains are worn out, and the rivers forget to flow ; till the clouds are weary of replenishing springs, and the springs forget to gush, and the rills to sing, shall their names be kept fresh with reverent honors which are inscribed upon the book of National Remembrance."
The floor is laid out in emblematic patterns of mar- ble mosaic, two feet wide around the shaft and next to the outer wall, where a bronze railing is placed to pro- tect the tablets and panels. Between the railings is the walking space laid with a marquetry of red and white Medina stone, about four inches thick, the upper surface being polished.
From the ceiling is suspended a rich cast bronze electrolier encircling the shaft midway between same and outer wall, with reflectors for both shaft and walls, containing 120 incandescent lights. At the four cor- ners are suspended handsome combination chandeliers for gas and electricity.
The building is heated by electricity, with forty electrical radiators that have been placed around the walls, guaranteed to heat the room to 75° in zero weather. The radiators are concealed by brass screens perforated in the designs of corps and army badges. The window openings have bronze frames and sashes that are hinged at the bottom and open at the top, worked with a chain and gearing to each sepa- rate saslı. The windows are glazed with stained glass in emblematic mosaic patterns. On the side next to the Cavalry group, the designs show nearly every- thing that is used in the cavalry service-boots and saddle, horseshoes, flags, carbines, revolvers, anvils, swords, etc. Appropriate emblems are shown on the other three sides. Those who served in the different branches can pick out in the brilliant colors of opales- cent glass everything that was familiar to them, from a sinall screw up to the heaviest ordnance.
.
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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
The sashes are made double, so that an extra thick- ness of Florentine glass, placed on the outside, con- ceals the raw colors of the light opalescent glass, which otherwise would show on the exterior.
The bronze doors are of excellent construction, and have rich panels with emblematic designs of the four branches of service and some of the staff departments. There are also cast bronze grilled doors of rich design to correspond with the surroundings. All the above doors have no hinges, but work with pivots in bronze sockets let into the stone-work above and below. The locks are of the same construction as used in bank safes.
The sidewalks and diagonal walks are made of the best quality of North River blue stone in slabs of large sizes and about four inches thick. The upper sur- faces are polished and the flagging work is in every way all that could be desired.
On three sides of the Monument, in the grass plots, are set out beautifully colored flowering plants in beds, representing the twenty-four corps of the Army ; and, on the Superior Street side, large badges of the Grand Army of the Republic, Women's Relief Corps, the Loyal Legion, the Union Veterans' Union and the Sons of Veterans.
ROLL OF HONOR.
A STUDY of the names on the Roll of Honor clearly demonstrates the universal feeling of earnest patriotism that pervaded all of our citizens during the trying period of the Rebellion. Americans by birth, as well as those who first saw the light of day upon the soils of Germany, Ireland, France, England, and other foreign countries, will be found side by side ; men who gave all they held dearest upon earthi ; ave, men who gave and offered to give their lives that the Union and Constitui- tion might be preserved ; men of all the different creeds of religion, and men of no creed ; all imbued with one object, all banded together in sacred comradeship, marching shoulder to shoulder, keeping step to the music of the Union, fighting for one common country, for the supremacy of law and order, for the preservation of the flag of freedom, in defense of the glorious Stars and Stripes-the emblem of liberty to the oppressed of all nations of the world ; for the perpetuation of the grandest Republic the sunlight of heaven shines upon1.
Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentile, believer and non-believer, all willing to sacrifice their lives as comrades on the altar of their country ; 10 boy or man, officer or private, asking his comrade from what clime he came, or at what shrine lie worshiped. It was suf-
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ROLL OF HONOR.
ficient to know that he wore the Blue, that his heart was in the right place, and that he fought for the Union.
They knew not race, Nor creed, nor politics ; They were all for the Union, One Country, One Flag.
The Roll of Honor will forever perpetuate the heroic memory and deeds of the Union Soldiers and Sailors, and the gallant band of noble women who sustained them.
7%
INFANTRY.
1st REGIMENT.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Hill, James, Ist Lieut. and Q. M. Collins, Edward J., Q. M. Davidson, William A., Q. M. Serg. Mabb, Andrew J., Com. Serg.
COMPANY A.
PRIVATE. Piper, Henry B.
COMPANY D.
Carpenter, William M., Ist Lient. Varian, Alexander, Ist Lieut. Prentiss, Willard, 2d Lient. Cowin, William C., Serg. Duncan, William, Serg. Galloway, Henry W., Serg. Merrick, Joseph E., Serg. Wherrett, Charles, Serg. Wilson, George A., Serg. Aldrich, Leverett, Corp. Conant, Horace G., Corp. Eddy, Marvin L., Corp. Farrar, Clement II., Corp. Farwell, Franklin A , Corp. Farwell, Horace W., Corp. Goss, Reuben, Corp. Tod, Christopher, Corp. DeLand, James B., Mus. Mullen, John, Mus.
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