Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-23

Augustus Beautiful Monument to Her
Brave Soldiers.


~ object Lesson In Patriotism.
The Soldiers' Monument is nov substan-
italy completed, and the labors of four years
brought to highly satisfactory conclusion.
Yesterday the massive column was hoisted
into position, and to-day the emblem Of
Patriotism will crown the lofty structure.
hills at the close of this short November day,
the finishing touches will be given the monu-
ment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT.
The monument is hexagonal in form, the
granite structure for the base having three
short sides and three broad ones-one broad
side facing each of the streets surrounding
the park. and covering an area of - feet
The monument consists Of base course COM
posed of three steps and but,resses, in all 8
feet and 0 inches high; plnth feet and
10 inches in height, Of IIallowell granite,
upon which will be the three bronze panels
bearing the dedicatory inscription and the
names Of the l56 soldiers from Augusta who
fell in the war; polished die of dark Fox
Island granite, feet in height, upon the
three broad sides Of which are affixed by
relief, representing respectively the enlist
ment and departure of the volunteer, the en-
gagcment on the battle field, and the return
to his home and family; the cap of the die, 3
feet 10 inches in height beautifully orna-
mented by foliated scroll carved in Hal
lowell granite the base OF the shaft, circular
in form, 3 feet in height, also of Hallowell
granite here will be a bronze group, consist
ing of the seals of the United States and the
State of Maine, and an elegant trophy com
prising the arms Of cavalry. infantry and ar
tillery round shaft, 3 feet in diameter and
Is feet in height cut from dark Fox Island
granite and elegantly polished; the capital of
the shaft of HallOwell granite, 3 feet in
height, containing the finest specimen of
carving ever done in granite; the abacus of
the shaft, 2 feet in height the pedestal of the
figure. l foot inches. This makes the
granite structure 80 feet and inch in height
draped female figure of Patriotism, of heroic
size, being feet inches to the crown Of
the head and 10 feet 6 inches to the point of
the spear head. The entire height of the
monument will be 40 feet and inches, or in
round numbers fifty feet in height.
A FITTING NEED TO VALoR.
When the debris is removed from the park
and the towering monument stands out in all its
grandeur, it will present most imposing APP
pearance. Other cities have lavished larger
sums of money upon memorials to their sol
diers, and have erected more magnifi-
cent and elaborate cenotaphs; but it will be
impossible to find one in which the elements
of bronze and granite are more tremendously
blended and the lines more symmetrically
and artistically drawn. Its distinctive
character as soldiers monument ap-
pears not only in the express language
of the dedication and the inscription
Pa triotism, told in a spirited manner by the
beautiful bronze reliefs above described, and
in the classic figure of Patriotism, which
crowns the monument, enwrapped with
an American flag which she presses
to her bosom, and holding at the
same time sword for its defense. The
contractors, Judge NJ. j. Power of New
York and the Hallowell Granite Company,
appear to have performed their contracts in a
faithful and highly creditable manner The
capital city of Maine has waited long for this
monument, but it Is one worth waiting for,
and one of which we may all feel proud.
The recent ahrnnt and yariegated changes