The New York herald., 1879-08-31
The Bronze Statue Unveiled on the
Lawn at West Point.
CIVIC AND MILITARY H0N0RS.
General Banks Tribute to the
Dead Hero.
"ON HIS ESCUTCHEON NO STAIN RESTS"

The bronze statue of the slain hero. Custer. which
has been erected at West Point by the berality Of
his hosts OF friends and admirers. unveiled by
the sculptor, Wilson Macdonald yesterday, with ap-
proprate civic and military ceremonies in the
ence OF nearly three thousand persons. Several
hundred OF the spectators went from New York by
train, or by special steamer chartered by the
committee of the "Custer Statue Fund" and hun
dreds went by steamers from Peekskill Pough-
keepse and other towns along the Hudson. In ad-
ditlon there were many guests from greater dis
tance.
The first OF the ceremonies was the parade of the
Battalion of Cadets and the Cadet Light Battery.
Tho latter remained under arms on tho parade
round of the Academy and the battalion marched
to that portion of the road in front of Mess Hall.
facing the green on which tho statue stnds. Here
they halted, while the committee, guests and officers
of the academy took their places the grand stand.
Then the order was given to stack arms, and tho
cadets broke ranks and mingled with the
audience. which was gathered on the lawns
and walks by around tho still draped
statue This stands the lawn to the south of the
officers headquarters and to the east of Mess Hall,
at the brow OF tho h opposite the head of the road
leading to tho ferry. No moro conspicuous or moro
beautiful site could have been chosen. for it is the
part of the Academy grounds which tho visitor
venerable trees that border the lawn. The
statue was draped in the American flag. and
stood. shapeless. mute thing. meaning
less the formless clay in the sculptor's hands.
while tho crowds gathered around. The beauty of
the day left nothing to be desired. The gay
tunes OF the ladies made bits of bright color that
vened the picture. The music Of the military band
floating out the beautiful river. was clear and
inspiriting. Nothing was lacking to mako ht
festal day for the memory Of the gallant soldier
whose name was honored.
At little after two o'clock the parade took place
and the guests were gathered on the stand. Among
them were the officers of the post with General Scho-
field at their head. General Hancock General Banks.
Ex-Governor Morgan, Governor Robinson. HaMil-
ton Fish. Mr.. and Mrs. John Bigelow. r. Agnew.
Rufus +. Andrews, Rev. Wendell Prime. Judge Wick
ham, OF st. LOUIS Demas Barnes, W. w. Niles. Major
J. NJ Bulkley. secretary Of the Custer National
Monument Association OF Michigan; State Senator
d. b. St. John and Miss Clara Morris. It had been
hoped that Mrs. Custer would be there but she Is at
honors paid to her hero husband only at second
hand. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hamilton, Of the hstor
ical Hamilton family. were there. Their son was
lost with Clusters command.
TIE STATUE PRESENTED.
After the band had played Il Know That My Re-
deemer Llveth" Mr. Algernon S. Sullivan was intro
duced by General Hancock. who acted as chairman.
and the presentation address on behalf of the
Statue Fund Committee. 1T is the good fortune Of
stroke they swept along ut into tho land OF
legend and their names are enveloped in the purple
heroic sentiment and moral purpose that
had nerved Custer during soldiers hfo
and compared the tribute paid him to the highest
military reward known among the Romans. ''fhat
was not booty nor advancement. no said nor
picked tho scene Of tho splendid deed Of vaor
and awarded by consent OF tho army. Other rewards
given by the general 10 tho soldiers, but this
the soldiers gave to their leader
.'ieneral Schofeld," he said, in conclusion. ''to
you, as superintendent and representative of the
TIDrfn
here, in trust for the army and people Of
the whole country, in accordance with in
to represent. l deliver this monumental statue.
As thus dedicate it have words OF apostrophe
hithcr shall gather for centuries to come. 1 trust,
which press for utterance, as those Of a friend
and poet whose have not yot been pub
lished," and he recited poem, beginning
oh. Custer-gallant Custer!-man foredoomed
To ride like Rupert. and wsyngs piamod
Mr. Macdonald then stepped forward and severed
the cord that held tho drapery surrounding tho
statue. and the band at the same time struck Gus
tcrs favorte charging tune Garry Owen" AS tho
statue stood thus first publicly exposed to view.
salute OF thirteen fred by the light battery
the day before. As the echoes died away sudden
call made for every one to remain still, and
photograph was taken of tho statue with the audi
ence for background.
TREASURE.
Tho bronze is figure eight feet in height. and is
accurate likeness of the dead soldier. Tho
dress ia coloncl's uniform. The atti-
tude spirited one the left foot being advanced
and the motion of charge on foot being forcibly
expressed by the position. The sword is gripped
firmly in the right hand and held well down, while
the pistol is in the left hand, which Is held
the breast and forward. The position OF this hand
offers the most obvious opportunity for crit-
cism. The features are set in tho sternness of
BATTLE and looking at the statue well imagine
tho moment of tho gallant heros supreme struggle.
The statue is mounted on square granite pedestal
about feet i'll height On each side of the pedestal
is bronze tablet tho one in tho containing tho
following inscripLio
GEORGE a. CUSTER,
: Lieut. Col. eth cavalry,
Bvt. Maj General U. s. Army.