Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-21
TOWER OF VICTORY.
4 REMEHBRANCER OF THE REV.
0LUH0NARy STRUGGLE.
Completion of the Monument at New
burg, n. ", Where Washington's
Forces Were Abandoned.

Durg, n. u, Where VashingtOn'S
Forces Were Abandoned.
The Tower of Victory at Washington's
headquarters, in Newburg, which has Just
been transferred to the trustees of the
headquarters by Colonel Wilson, of the
United States Array, has cost the National
and State Governments $4,000 OF this
amount $4,000 was contributed by the
State. In June, 1885, the Joint Congress
sional Committee, of which the late
Congressman Lewis Beach was Chair
man, finished its labors, and the re-
port on the adoption of the plan was of
fered in the Senate on June 9th by Sen
ator Hawley, Of Connecticut.
The monument, the contract for the
construction of which was awarded to
Maurice J. Power, of New York, stands
IN an elevated position overlooking the
hudson river, in the northeast part of the
grounds, and near the historic stone build
ing IN front of which the Continental Army
was disbanded on October 23, 1888. The
design represents Tower of Victory, built
OF native stone, of rectangular form.
The dimensions on the ground lines are 81
xo2 feet. with a total hight of SO feet.
-Four large archways open into the atrium
on each side
In the center of the atrium. upon pol
ished pedestal of red granite, stands life
size bronze statue of General George
Washington, which is still vailed. The
statue, which was cast at the bronze art
foundry of Maurice J. Power, in New
York, is after design by William Rudolf
ODonovan, of New York. The figure
stands six feet two inches high. The head
is modelled from the life cast by Houdon.
the famous French sculptor, who was en-
gagged by Franklin to make the life statue
of Washington, now standing in the State
Capitol of Virginia at Richmond Mr..
ODonovan has represented Washington in
the act of sheathing his sword. The statue
weighs about 1000 pounds, and cost
100000
From the ground floor of the Tower of
Victory two commodious circular stair
cases, one for ascent and one for descent,
lead to 4 belvedere or open outlook capa-
bic of holding nearly three hundred per-
sons. The belvedere is surrounded by an
iron and tile roof. The roof was to be
supported by thirteen massive columns,
upon which the bronze shields of the thir-
teen original States were to be placed, but
the appropriation gave out before the
shields had been provided, and the col
umns, in consequence, are bare.
The interior walls are provided with re-
cesses for the reception of bas-reliefs and
medallions, which may be supplied in the
future. The exterior walls are furnished
with four inches, two on the east, or river
side, and two on the west side. These are
intended for the reception of bronze figures
of an allegorical character, or statues of
Washington's four favorite Generals. A
bronze tablet is set on the exterior east
wall with Il commemorative inscription.
showing that the monument was erected by
the people of the United States to perpet-
uate the memories of the patriotic Contin-
entail soldiers, to whom we are indebted
for our glorious free country and govern
ment.
The monument was constructed under
the direction of the Secretary of War. Its
foundation was laid in September, 1886,
and only last week was the whole accepted
Much of the stone for the memorial was
quarried near West Newburg, superior
quality of stone being there obtained for
the purpose. The trustees of Washington's
Headquarters do not take kindly to the
design of the memorial, but as they could
not and did not for a long time agree upon
design, the National Government very
properly took hold of the matter with as
good a result as could be hoped for. The
trustees, however, will now construct an
IL. I =. II
place gates at the four entrances to the
tower. They will provide Waterman
until next spring to protect the prop
erty. As hitherto indicated, there is no
more money available to he expended
upon the structure. No arrangements
have, therefore, BEEN made for the dedi-
cation of the memorial. 1t is proposed
that Henry Bacon, Representative in Con-
gress for the Fourteenth district, shall
introduce bill during the present session,
calling for the appropriation of $4,000 to
be devoted to the dedication ceremonies
of the memorial The services will
probably be held in the spring-April,
perhaps,
The view from the belvedere of the
memorial embraces a broad expanse of
river and mountain scenery, with out
living valleys. North and South Beacon,
upon whose towering tops the signal
| fires were lit during the revolution, are
directly in front, while to the right is
seen the northern gate to the Highlands
with West Point in the distance. The
Commission by whom the final decision
was made upon the design of the me-
mortal first asked for designs from promi-
nent artists, and it was only after several
designs had been submitted that the
| Tower of Victory was selected. At that
time the Commission expressed the
hope that their labors would be satisfac-
tory to the people Of New York. The
committee consisted originally of Senators
Bayard, Miller of New York, Hawley,
Hill of Colorado, and Hampton, and Rep
resentatives Ranney, Ketchum, Curtin,
Beach, Burrows, Knott, Townshend of
Ohio, and Ellis The last three named
and Senators Bayard and Hill were not in
Congress at the time the final report of the
joint committee adopting the design of the
Tower of Wet ry was submitted and ac-
cepted. The report of the Commission is a
historical document, with illustrations and
much valuable information. The site for
! the memorial was chosen at the time
the Newburg centennial was held, on
Thursday, October IS. lS63-the selection
being made by the Trustees of Washing
toms Headquarters. Upon that occasion
orations were delivered by Thoma; +. Bay
ard and William NJ. Evarts The prayer
was made by the late Rev. Dr. John For
syth, of Newburg; patriotic poem was
delivered by Mr.. Wallace Bruce, OF
Poughkeepsie, aud there was grand cho-
rus of go voices. Newburg, with then
population of 10000, was visited by more
than 100000 people when the centennial
of the disarmament of the Continental
Army was held.
In the Streets of Picking.
Al L I