Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-06-05
STATUE TO COLONEL SHAW.
Dedication at Boston the Feature of Me-
mortal Day-BOOker T. Washington
HonOred.

Boston, May 3l-The statue to Colo
mel Robert Gould Shaw, on the Com
mon. opposite the State House, was un-
veiied to-day by Edward Atkinson in
the presence of distinguished gath
ering aud later the statue was edicat-
ed with ceremonies in Music Hall,
where Professor William James made
the principal address
Colonel Shaw fell i'm the assault on
Fort Wagner, South Carolina, at the
head of the Fifty fourth Massachus, It's
Regiment, and the statue commemo-
rates also the herolsm of the black
troops who fell in the assault.
Rain fell early in the day, interfer-
ing somewhat with the pleasure of the
spectators. but thousands bad assem-
bled to zee the parade in the morning
The line included regular troops, ma
rines and sailors, pilitia OF Aassachu-
sets and the Seventh Regiment from
New York, and Governor Wolcot and
party
The Shaw monument is built of pinI
Milford granite, with it's front toward
the street. Standing back from the
sidewalk ls I'D parapet about sew
enty feet long and four feet high, with
returning ends. A seat runs round
the three sides, projecting i'm the CEN
ter with somewhat the suggestion of
an altar, above which rises super
structure which may be compared to a
rededos 1t is massive panel OF
granite. some twenty feet wide and
fourteen feet high, framed with brorze
ionic pilaste and terminating above
in an Arched cornice On the face OF
this is st. Gaudens'b bronze relief which
forms the eliminating feature OF the
design. At each end of the panel, rest
81. l.. I
surmcunted by the eagle. On the cor
ners of the parapet rise urns, and the
face is enriched with wreaths, over
which are inscribed the following
names: Cabot Jackson Russell, Cap
tain; William Harris Simpkins, Cap
tain; Edward Lewis Stevens. FIRST
Lieutenant; David Reid, First Lieu
tenant; Frederick Hedge Webster.
Second Lieutenant
The view from the Common of the
reverse side shows what excellent ad-
vantage has been taken of the fall in
the ground of about eight feet The
paFapet is continued downward in
plain upon which are carved three IL
ons' heads. From their mouths h0w
streams of water into a massive basin.
to right and left of which are seats and
flights of steps leading up to Beacon
street.
But the chief interest centers in the
bronze alto relievoOf Mr.. st. Gaudens.
The lower part Of the panel is filled
with moving mass of Negro infantry
headed by their drummer boy Their
rifles and colors form a bristling hedge
above their heads. In the center of
the foreground. seated upon a power
ful horse " hose muscles are quivering
with excitement, is their leader, calm
and immobile Over the devoted group
flies the figure of Fame, with the left
arm extended, pointing the road to
glory, and the hand open in blessing
and encouragement, while in the 9TH
er hand she holds a branch of laurel
which brushes the leaders cap
In the exercises at Music Hall. Gov
ernor Roger WolcOtt was permanent
chairman. He presented the memOri-
al TO Mayor Quincy, who accepted it
for the city of Boston Following Pro-
fessor James address, a large chorus
sang THE Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" Governor Wolcott then in
trodueed President Booker T. Wash
ingtOn of the Tuskegee Institute, Ala
bama, paying a high complims MT to
the speaker and to his work fer the
people of his race. At the close of Pro-
lessor Washington's address,, Governor
Wolcott proposed three cheers for the
speaker, and the audience Joined in
hearty hurrahs.