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Battle Monument

Battle Monument is a monument at Trophy Point in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Designed by Stanford White, it was dedicated in 1897 to veterans of the American Civil War. The monument consists of a large Doric column topped by a winged female figure designed by Frederick MacMonnies, representing Fame. The column is 14 meters high and 150 cm in diameter, and is said to be the largest polished granite column in the Western Hemisphere. The cannon at its base are inscribed with the names of 2,230 officers and soldiers from the Civil War.

Battle Monument with a tall column topped by a winged female figure holding a wreath aloft, standing on a stepped base with smaller surrounding pedestals.
Battle Monument, showing the tall column topped by a winged figure holding a wreath.
1904 © · No restrictions
Battle Monument at West Point, a tall column topped by a winged female figure above small cannons and spheres.
Battle Monument rises against a dramatic sky at West Point, with its winged figure visible atop the column.
April 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Battle Monument at West Point rising above a frozen river with snowy mountains in the background
The Battle Monument at West Point stands above a frozen Hudson River in a winter landscape.
February 2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Battle Monument at West Point with soldiers marching past it beside the Hudson River.
Soldiers march past Battle Monument at West Point with the Hudson River and distant mountains in the background.
November 2009 © · Public domain
Close-up of two bronze cannons at the Battle Monument, with GETTYSBURG visible on the front cannon and a snow-dusted monument behind them.
Bronze cannons at the Battle Monument, with Gettysburg inscribed on the nearest muzzle.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleBattle Monument
TypeMonument
Other namemonumento alla battaglia

Historical context

Dedicated toveterans of the American Civil War
Site dedication date15 June 1864
Site dedication byGeneral George McClellan
Site dedication inscription"The site of the Battle Monument is dedicated in commemoration of the Officers and Privates of the regular Army who have died in the present war"; "We now dedicate this site to the memory of brave men, loyalty, patriotism and honor."
Monument dedication date30 May 1897
Monument dedicated bysurviving American Civil War veterans

Creator

DesignerStanford White
Figure sculptorFrederick MacMonnies

Discovery and provenance

FinancingFinanced by monthly contributions from the pay of the officers and soldiers of the Regular Army
Granite sourceBranford, Connecticut

Location and ownership

LocationTrophy Point, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York State, United States

Physical characteristics

Main structureLarge Doric column surmounted by a winged female figure
Column height14 m
Column diameter150 cm
Column distinctionReputed to be the largest polished granite column in the Western Hemisphere
Ornamental elementsEight monumental cannon balls circling the column
Current top figureSecond version of a winged female statue representing Fame

Materials

Column materialPolished granite
Inscription materialBronze straps

Iconography and meaning

Inscription contentNames of 2,230 Regular Army officers and soldiers who died for the Union during the Civil War
Top figure meaningFame

History and restoration

Replacement historyThe original statue was replaced a few months after installation because complaints said it was too large and awkward
TraditionWest Point plebes traditionally referred to the statue of Fame in a reply about how they all are: "She who stands atop Battle Monument, for she has been on the same shaft since 1897;"; this is no longer current practice