Tag Archives: Monument Monday

Monument Monday: Bunker Hill Monument

In 1842 Bunker Hill Monument* was completed.

The event was considered one of national importance.

Indeed, the completed structure represents the offering of a nation, and is a remarkable example of the truth that where men fail in carrying out an object that appeals wholly to pure and patriotic sentiment, women invariably succeed.

Bunker Hill Monument when completed

Completed Bunker Hill Monument

Mount Vernon, Bunker Hill, and the Old South Church are so many monuments to the women of America.

For a comprehensive résumé of the history of the present monument, we have no more appropriate language than that of Hon. G. W. Warren in his annual address to the Monument Association, made in 1862.

“On the 17th of June, 1823, the Bunker Hill Monument Association was first organized. In two years from that day the young patriotic society had obtained the means to acquire to itself a large part of the field of the battle of Bunker Hill, and to lay, with imposing ceremonies, the cornerstone of the monument. In 1843, just twenty years from its organization,—the great work having been completed by popular aid alone,—the association, with equally imposing ceremonies, and in the presence of the whole executive government of the nation, and of patriotic and official personages from every state, inaugurated one of the grandest monuments to one of the grandest objects of commemoration in the world.”

Bunker Hill Monument Under Construction

Monument Under Construction

William Tudor of Boston, the accomplished scholar, was the first to draw public attention to the building of a memorial on Bunker Hill, commensurate with the importance of the event it was forever to celebrate. He pursued the subject until the sympathies and co-operation of many distinguished citizens were enlisted.

This action resulted in some preliminary steps being taken. In November, 1822, Dr. John C. Warren, nephew of the general, purchased three acres of land on Bunker Hill, thus securing a site for the proposed monument. A meeting of those friendly to the enterprise was held at the Merchants’ Exchange in Boston, in May, 1823, which resolved itself, under an act of incorporation passed June 7, 1823, into the Bunker Hill Monument Association. Daniel Webster presided at the first meeting.

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Dedication of the Eighty Third New York Infantry Regiment Memorial in Gettysburg

At four o’clock in the afternoon the regiment assembled and marched into town, where the procession was formed for the march to the monument. The Orator, Poet, Chairman NINTH Regiment Gettysburg Monument Committee, New York Board of Commissioners, Officers of Gettysburg Memorial Association, Officers of Society of Army of the Potomac, Officers of Society of First Army Corps and Disabled Veterans, were in carriages. The members of the Veteran Association, together with comrades from John A. Dix Post No. 135, and Alexander Hamilton Post No. 182, G. A. R., and Veterans of the 61st, 97th, and 119th New York regiments, formed the left of the line, the regiment on the right. Upon reaching the monument the Veterans were drawn up facing the east front, the Regiment forming a double line behind them. A stand had been erected to the left of the shaft, and upon it were grouped many distinguished Veterans and a number of ladies.

That is the opening of the Dedication of Monument chapter of the History Of The Ninth Regiment – (Eighty-Third NY Volunteers) in the Civil War Collection in the Accessible Archives database. The monument to the fallen was dedicated at Gettysburg on July 2, 1893.

The monument to the Eighty Third New York Infantry Regiment is northwest of Gettysburg on Doubleday Avenue. You can see it on this map.

The Monument

Monument to the Eighty Third NY Infantry Regiment

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