The New York herald., 1877-05-04
LINCOLN'S MONUMENT.
From the Chicago Times, May l. ]

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, April 80, 1877.
II has already been reported that the two bronze
groups designed ornament the base OF the National
Lincoln Monument nave arrived here. and that they
are to placed in position at These two groups
were designed by Larkin G. Meade OF Florence Italy.
who is also tho architect Of tho monument and who
designed the Of Lincoln already described The
groups were cast bronze by the Chicopoe Arms
Company, Of Massachusetts, and are said 10 be the
most elaborate bronze castings executed in this
country They are now on the monument grounds,
and been lar stripped Of their castings that
comparatively good view is TO be had Of them and
really excellent idea oil the spirit OF The composition
IS obtained. They have already been Inspected by
many members of tue General Assembly and by hun-
cizcns and brief description will prob
ably be interesting
Tne infantry group consists of three figures. the
centre OF which s an officer garbed In th uni
form which made historic by the war OF the
belloD, but which has been discarded for combna-
ton of dress, ornament and distinctive marks gath.
cred from the Prusslan and French armies aud from
the service of tho late socalled Confederate States
TINS officer seized the staff Of the colors which but
a before had isllen TO tho ground, with which
he leans mis- arm. Tho pose Of this central figure
Is very iine and with the flag which shines out, dis
group pyramldai IN form. on the left IS a drummer
boy with his drum, who has caught tho excitement Of
scenc ana VINO rushes forward with pistol in his
right and drrmstck IN his left hand. On The right
officer Is the fgure OF private soldier IN nian
try uniform, with knapsack and all accoutremeDts, in
the act OF charging with tho bayonet The features
and arrangement of Of the soldier Will represent
those OF tue Western volunteer, ana with delicate
taste Mr. Meade has chosen for his representative in
fanlrynan Western American This group, In honor
tho infantry arm Of tho service, which has been
we'll spoken OF as 'that humble arm good Tor nothing
but ngnt battles and win VICTORIES Is TO stand at
right OF the statue oil The cmancipaor and dcvcrcr
The naval group is better known 10 The citlzcns OF
the great Republic Than Is the infantry, lor by tho
consent OF the association IL exhibited at the Gen.
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia and there attracted
much favorable comment The centre object Is one OF
immense MONITORS which wero brought INTO use
durng the celebrated expedition Tor the opening OF tho
Mississippi Tney were used against Island NO. 40 ana
against vicksbura, but they attained their utmost
celebrity used in tho reduction Of iorts Philips and
Jackson, below New OrIeans. On one OF these moni-
tors Is perched sailor boy or powdcr monkey" who
looks the front TO discover II possible the
OBJECT at which sailor, who Is upon the right Is
directing his index finger This sailor proper uni
form is IN The act OF rolling toward the mortar shell
filled It's Galore On the left Of the mortar Is
ond officer who has just taken from his eye the glass
with winch he has been viewing tho position and nen
III The enemy. His figure Is although standing, IN
complete rcpose and his features well represent tho
assureI conndopce with which the officers OF the
American navy Lro accustomed TO look upon the
cuemy, to observe tho various changes oi an en-
oil this ngure and the laborious cxertion OF the
sailor and the excited demcanor oi the boy Is very
striking and will be considered " IS believed one OF
the interesting features OF The group TINS group
TO be placed the lett OF tho Lincoln statue so that
the southern side OF tho monument VIII represent Mr.
Lincoln with the infantry on bis right and the navy on
his lett tho act Of crushing tho rebellion whIlc In
| his hands he holds the proclamation OF emancipation.
Each these groups weighs about four TONS and they
10 be placed IN position as soon rs the requisite
machinery can be arranged. When upon tho pedestal
there viii be some proper ceremony Of dedication,
which viii, OF course, be reported. The iunds and
subscriptions o The association exhausted by tho
expense oil these groups which cost, Delivered $l3 700
each. bill Is now pending in The General Assembly
which provides an appropriation oi $4,000 Tor the
expense OF the two other groups-cavalry and ar
tlery-which arc requisite TO complete the original
design. The legislative correspondent OF the Times
has clearly informed the public OF the inception and
progress Of this bi ana tony remains to say now
that hoped that may be passed. in order that the
] completion OF the monument should DO longer do
laycd IL requires at least three years 70 mold these
| groups IN clay, make the plaster complete
the bronze works and as Is now pretty that
no session Of the General Assembly Will be held
winter IL is apparent tnat " the bill making tho APP
preparation Is passed this winter, the order from
The association Mr.. Meade to begin work will
sary be delayed until the spring OF 1879 and that tho
OF the Will be delayed until 1852