National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-20
History oftho Statue.

After the death of General Thomas tho So.
cicty OF tho Army of the Cumberland, at their
| first meeting, resolved to erect a monument to
| his memory, and appointed committee for
the purpose of furthorng tho project The
| committee, in obedience to the instructions re-
ccived, invited artists to send in models, at
| two subsequent meetings held at Pittsburg
| and Dayton. Quito a number were submit
| ted, but none were accepted by the society.
| A committee was then constituted to select IN
artist and mako contract with him to model
tho statue. This committee consisted of Geu-
eral Joseph Hooker, General Phil Sheridan,
| General Cruft, General jeff G. Davis, General
| Thomas G. Jordan, Major II. Dulield and Gen
cral w. d. Whipple. Mr. j. Q. A. Ward was
selected as the artist.
| 1t is nearly six years since the contract for
| this piece of work was awarded TO Mr. Ward.
| About six months ago he completed his
| design in plaster of Paris and forwarded ID
to the founders al Philadelphia to DO cast. He
| did not visit the foundry until last week. when
the work was done, aud expressed great salts
faction at the manner in which his nstruc.
lions had been carried out. The first bronze
casting was mado last May and the finishing
touches were put upon it about twelve days
ago. Considerable difficulty was experienced
in molding the chest OF the horse, but all i'm
pedments were at last overcome aud iG is said
that the present statue Is the finest Of ITS kind
in this country and superior to any similar
work done in Munich. 1t stands fifteen feet
high from the base to head Of rider, aid ffteen
feet in length from nose to tail Of horse, The
weight of the horse and rider is $500 pounds,
aud OF tho base 1900 pounds. The cost of the
statue was $4,000 which will be paid by the
Army of the Cumberland, and the granite pc
destal upon which " will rest was furnished by
the United States Government at u cost OF
$4,000,
The casting was made at the foundry of Blu.
Mans # IaIp ,N,l,a
received $4,000 for their labor. This firm
also turned out the following statues now in
this city Generals Scott, Mcpherson, Greene
aud Rawlings aud Governor Clinton, of New
York, which occupies position in the old
Hall of Representatives nj the Capitol. The
finest materials were used in tho casting of
this statue, and IL is pronounced by good
Judges to be unexceled So well satisfied
was Mr.. Ward that the firm to whom he en-
trusted the work was capable of accomplishing
all that he desired, that he did not go near the
statue until he received letter announcing
h completion.
Tho money for the statue was raised In the
several States by committee Of the Society
of the Army OF the Cumberland appointed Tor
the purpose and by condemned cannon con.
tributed by Congress, which, with surplus
fund already in tho Treasury of the Society
of the Army OF the Cumberland, made up the
required amount The revenue derived from
the bronze donated by Congress amounted
to $22 52l02.
DESCRIPTION OF TUE STATUE.
Tho statue represents tho General as hay.
ing lust halted his line stallion on the summit
of o slight activity to make an observation,
and no sits with loOsened rein aud hat of, sur.
veying the field with searching oye. Tho
horse in complete sympathy in thought aud
motion with his rider, looks aboad with head
raised high in air, swelling neck and chest and
fore feet firmly planted on strip of rock.
His name aud upllted tail arc tossed by tho
wind, and one of his hind feet on the slope Is
placed before the other, Rider and steed are
erect and eager at tho first view, aud full of
the glow caused by the quick ride up the as
cont, The former sits easily, firmly and
straight leaning slightly backward with the
action of the horse and IN his effort to got the
furtlest possible horizon, With his lett hand
no holds tho rein, wRilS in bis right, Rapgips