General William Tecumseh Sherman Statue

General William Tecumseh Sherman Statue

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Washington, DC

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

This monument consists of a bronze equestrian statue of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) and a square platform with a bronze soldier at each corner, representing the four branches of the U.S. Army: infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineers. President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the monument on October 15, 1903. This site was chosen because General Sherman was reported to have stood here while reviewing returning Civil War troops in May 1865. Relief medallions of generals who served under Sherman's command are located on the east and west sides of the granite pedestal. Around the base of the pedestal's terrace is a mosaic inlaid with the names of battles in which Sherman fought.

Sculptors

Equestrian statue: Lauritz Jensen
War statue group (west face of pedestal): Stephen Sinding and Sigvald Asbjomsen
Peace statue group (east face of pedestal): Stephen Sinding and Carl J. Bonnesen
Artilleryman (Southeast corner): Sigvald Asbjornsen
Cavalryman (Northeast corner): Carl Rohl-Smith  
Engineer Corps (Southwest corner): Carl Rohl-Smith
Infantryman on (Northwest corner): Carl Rohl-Smith 
Battle of Atlanta Bas Relief (South face of pedestal): Lauritz Jensen
Battle of Missionary Ridge Bas Relief (East face of pedestal): Lauritz Jensen 
March Through Georgia Bas Relief (North face of pedestal): Lauritz Jensen
Sherman in Camp at Night Bas Relief (West face of pedestal): Lauritz Jensen
Portrait Medallions (Two pairs each, east and west faces): Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson
Badge of Army of the Tennessee (South face of pedestal): Lauritz Jensen

Inscriptions

Pedestal, below statue
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN
1820-1891
Base, front
On no earthly account will I do any act or
Think any thought hostile to or in defiance
Of the old government of the United States
Alexandria, Louisiana January 18, 1861
Wars Object is More Perfect Peace
Washington, DC February 23, 1882
pedestal
SEMINOLE WAR 1840-1842
WAR IN MEXICO 1847-1848
OCCUPATION OF CALIFORNIA
CIVIL WAR 1861-1865
GENERAL COMMANDING THE
ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
1869-1884
Base, back
ERECTED BY THE
SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE
WITH THE AID OF THE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
1903
Plaza mosaic
Griswoldville, Waynesboro, Fort McAllister, Capture of Savannah, Averasboro, Bentonville, Durham Station, Surrender of Johnston's Army
Kenesaw Mountain, Ruff's Mills, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro, Capture of Atlanta, Allatoona
Chattanooga, Ringgold, Missionary Ridge, Relief of Knoxville, Meridian Expedition, Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, Kulp's Farm
Bull Run, Shiloh, Corinth, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Steele's Bayou, Jackson, Vicksburg, Colliersville