The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-05-19
LINCOLN'S MONUMENT.
From the Chicago Times, May IL


two bronze groups designed to ornament
the base of the National Lincoln Monu-
ment have arrived here, and they are to
be placed in position at once. These two
groups were designed by Larkin G..
Meade, Of Florence, Italy, who is also
the architect OF the monument, and who
designed the statue of Lincoln already
designed. The groups were cast in
bronze by the Chicopee Arms Company
Massachusetts, and are said to be the
most elaborate bronze castings ever exe-
| cuted in this country. They are now on
the monument grounds, and have been
so far stripped of their castings that a
comparatively good view ia to be had of
them, and a really excellent idea of the
spirit of the composition is obtained.
They have already been inspected by
many members of the General Assembly
and by hundreds of our citizens, and a
brief description will probably be inter-
| esting.s
The infantry group consists of three
figures, the center of which is an officer
garbed in the infantry uniform which
was made historic by the war of the
rebellion, but which has been discarded
for combination of dress, ornament
and distinctive marks gathered from the
Prussian and French armies and from
service Of the so-called Confederate
States. This officer has seized the staff
of the colors which but moment
before had fallen to the ground,
with which he leans on his arm. The
pose of the central figure is very fine,
and with the flag which shines out, dis
playing its full glories, sixteen feet high,
makes the group pyarmidal in form. On
the left is a drummer boy with bis drum,
who has caught the excitement of the
scene and who rushes forward with
pistol in his right and drumstck in bis
left hand. On the right of the officer is
the figure of private soldier in infantry
uniform, with knapsack and all accou-
trements, in the act of charging with the
bayonet. The features and arrangement
of dress of the soldier will represent
those of the Western volunteer. and with
a delicate taste Mr.. Meade has chosen
for his represe ntative infantryman
Western American. This group, in
honor OF the infantry arm of the service,
which has been well spoken OF as THAT
humble arm, good for nothing but to
| fight battles and win victories" is to
stand at the right of the statue of the
emancpator and deliverer.
The naval group is better known to
the citizens of the Great Republic than
is the infantry, for by the consent of
the association it was exhibited at the
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia,
and there attracted much favorable COM
ment. The center object is one of those
immense monitors which were brought
into use during the celebrated expedition
for the opening of the Mississippi. They
we're used against Island No. 10 and
against Vicksburg, but they attained
their celebrity as used in the reduction of
forts Phillips and Jackson, below New
Orleans. On one of these monitors is
perched sailor boy or powder monkey
who looks constantly to the front to dis
cover if possible the object at which a
sailor, who is upon the right, is direct
ing his index finger. This sailor in
proper uniform is in the act Of rolling
toward the mortar a shell filled for its
calibre, On the left of the mortar is a
second officer who has just taken from
his eye the glass with which he has been
viewing the position and intention of
the enemy. His figure is, although
standing, in complete repose, and his
features we'll represent the assured con.
fidence with which the officers of the
upon the enemy,tor to observe the vari-
ous changes OF an engagement. The
contrast between the cool confidence of
this figure and the laborious exertion
of the sailor and the excited dsmeanor of
of the boy is very striking and will be
considered, it is believed, one Of the
most interesting features Of the group.
This is to be placed on the left of the group
Lincoln statue 30 that the southern side
of the monument will represent Mr. Lin
coin with the infantry on his right and
the navy on his left in the act OF crush
ing the rebellion while in his hands he
holds the proclamation of emancipation.
Each of these groups weighs about four
tons, and they are to be placed in posi-
ton as soon as the requisite machinery
can be arranged. When upon the
pedestal there will be some proper cere-
mony Of dedication, which will of course
be reported. The funds and subscription
of the association are exhausted by the
expense of these groups, which cost, de-
livered, $13,700 each. A bill is now
pending in the General Assembly which
provides an appropriation OF 1927 900 for
the expense Of the two other groups
cavalry and artillery--which are requisite
to complete the original design. The
legislative correspondent Of the Times
has clearly informed the public of the
inception and progress of this bill, and
it only remains to say now that it ia
hoped that it may be passed, in order
that the cor,pletion of the monument
should be no longer delayed. II re.
quires at least three years to mold these
groups in clay, make the plaster casts
and complete the bronze works. and as