Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Iowa state monument



"The state monument was designed by F.R. Triebel of New York City and is composed of Barre, Vermont, granite and United State standard bronze. The base is thirty-four feet square and rests on a solid foundation of concrete nine feet thick. The monument is seventy-five feet high. Surmounting the main shaft is a bronze capitol, globe and eagle fifteen feet ten inches in height - the wings of the eagle are fifteen feet from tip to tip. Ascending the steps at the base of the monument is the symbolical bronze statue of "Fame" inscribing a tribute of homage in granite. The height of the figure "Fame" is twelve feet six inches. The monument stands upon a commanding eminence overlooking the National Cemetery and the Tennessee River. The cost of the monument was twenty-five thousand dollars." (Dedication of Monuments erected by the State of Iowa. Des Moines, IA: Emory H. English, 1908. pp 289-290.)

Text:
On front of monument:
This monument is erected by the State of Iowa in commemoration of the loyalty, patriotism and bravery of her sons who, on this battlefield of Shiloh on the 6th and 7th days of April, A.D. 1862, fought to perpetuate the sacred Union of the states.
--Iowa—

On back of monument:
Regiments engaged:
2d Infantry, Lt. Col. James Baker,
3d Infantry, Maj. W. M. Stone,
6th Infantry, Capt. J. W. Williams,
7th Infantry, Lt. Col. J. C. Parrott.
8th Infantry, Col. J. L. Geddes.
11th Infantry, Lt. Col. William Hall.
12th Infantry, Col. J. J. Woods.
13th Infantry, Col. M. M. Crocker.
14th Infantry, Col. W. T. Shaw.
15th Infantry, Col. H. T. Reid.
16th Infantry, Col. Alex. Chambers.
Iowa soldiers commanding Brigades:
1st Brig., 1st Div., Col. A. M. Hare, 11th Iowa, (Wounded). Col. M. M. Crocker, 13th Iowa.
1st Brig., 2d Div., Col. J. M. Tuttle, 2d Iowa.
1st Brig., 4th Div., Col. N. G. Williams, 3d Iowa, (Wounded).
3d Brig., 4th Div., Brig. Gen. J. G. Lauman.
1st Brig., 5th Div., Col. J. A. McDowell, 6th Iowa.

Left (east) side of monument, above the bronze figure of "Fame":
Brave of the brave, the twice five thousand men
Who all that day stood in the battle's shock,
Fame holds them dear, and with immortal pen
Inscribes their names on the enduring rock.

Right (west) side of monument:
"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

On shield and ribbon at top of monument:
E Pluribus Unum

In the bronze wreath of oak and laurel:
Iowa in memory of Shiloh


I've never heard a good reason for why the dress of "Fame" has slipped off her shoulder enough to expose her nipple. I've wondered if this is why the Wisconsin monument commissioners told their sculptor that "the figure of Victory should be imposing and chaste, and her face should express tenderness and solicitude." (my emphasis)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Supposedly, that exposed breast has given lots of visiting Boy Scouts a thrill

Nick said...

I've heard that the boy scouts have taken it as a personal promise to keep that breast well polished. And it is well polished so maybe there is some truth to that.