The Union Soldier (Soldier on Picket Duty)

The Union Soldier (Soldier on Picket Duty)

Subject (Topic)
Roger Williams Park--Rhode Island--Providence
South Elmwood--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture

The bronze statue shows a Union soldier on picket duty. Wearing the Union uniform with a U.S. buckle at his waist, he stands on top of a large field boulder, right leg extended behind him and his left foot stepping off the front of the bronze base as if he is in motion. He wears a forage hat and grasps in his right hand a Springfield rifled musket with a bayonet attached. His left hand is clinched in a fist, which originally clasped a knife. Standing atop the boulder, the soldier appears ready for action and alert as he serves picket duty.

Kohlhagen, Frederick, 1842-1927
Gorham Manufacturing Company Founders

Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College

June 9, 1899

George H. Paddock, Vice President, Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers; Grand Army of the Republic; Union Veterans’ Grove Association; 1st Rhode Island Veterans’ Association; Joseph McCormick (quarryman); City of Providence; Providence Parks Commission

City of Providence, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Roger Williams Park, F C Greene Memorial Boulevard Rotary, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

Inscription on bronze plaque on boulder:
Union Soldier

Presented to
The City of Providence
By the Providence Association of
Mechanics and Manufacturers
In 1898.

The Union Solder Was Designed By
F. Kohlhagen of the Gorham Company
And Was the First Large Statue
Cast by Them

It Was Restored By the
Providence Parks Department
In 1993.

Bronze; Field boulder

"Veterans’ Grove: G. A. R. Plot at the Park to be an Attractive Piece." Providence Journal, January 14, 1898.

"For Veterans’ Grove: A Suitable Foundation Discovered for the Bronze Statue." Providence Journal, March 17, 1898.

"Veterans’ Grove: Progress Reported at Meeting of Mechanics and Manufacturers." Providence Journal, April 26, 1898.

"Quarterly Meeting: The Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers in Session." Providence Journal, July 12, 1898

"Not Until June: Veterans’ Grove at the Park Will Be Dedicated Then." Providence Journal, October 9, 1898.

"Veterans’ Grove: Arrangements Made for Its Dedication June 9." Providence Journal, May 14, 1899.

"Veterans’ Grove Dedication." Providence Journal, June 3, 1899.

"Union Veterans. Dedication of Their Grove and Statue at the Park." Providence Journal, June 10, 1899.

"An Ancient Association. Mechanics and Manufacturers of Providence Has a Brilliant History." Providence Journal, June 11, 1899.

Chiappinelli, S. Robert. "Park Statues Return After Major Facelifts, Reconstruction." Providence Journal, January 15, 1989.

Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence