Connecticut's Civil War Monuments

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Town Green
1019 Main Street
Branford, CT

Erected: 1885
Type: Granite standard-bearer on shaft
Designer, fabricator, supplier: Smith Granite Company
    Stonecutter: Joseph Bedford
Height: Approximately 32'

SOLDIERS MONUMENT, Branford, is significant historically because it is a tangible symbol of the honor and respect paid by the community to those from Branford who served in the Civil War. The group responsible for the movement to erect the monument was the Mason Rogers Post, Grand Army of the Republic, hence the presence of the G.A.R. symbol on the face of the pedestal.

Sentiments expressed by the lettering in the monument are standard for the mid-1880s. The conflict is referred to as the War of the Rebellion, while the phrase One Country - One Flag references the avowed purpose of preserving the Union.

The land on which the monument stands was historically part of the Town Green, owned by the church/state, when, until 1818, the church and the state were closely entwined. Now ownership is uncertain, but the question of whether title to the land and the monument rests with the town or the church does not constitute an issue actively pursued by the parties. Such circumstances are not unusual in ownership of Connecticut Civil War monuments. For another example, see nearby SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, North Branford.

SOLDIERS MONUMENT, Branford, is significant artistically because it is a good example of the work of Smith Granite Company of Westerly, Rhode Island. The quality of the stone is fine and the workmanship carefully carried out. Smith was one of the few firms to design, fabricate, and market Civil War monuments, all in-house. New England Granite Company, headed by James G. Batterson, was another. The two had quarries side by side in Westerly.

The Branford monument is a near duplicate of SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, St. Bernard Cemetery, New Haven. Both are large standard-bearer designs with relatively little lettering and other embellishment. Both have capitals consisting of a Shield of the United States motif. The stonecutter for both was Joseph Bedford. The cost of the Branford monument was $5,000 according to the Town Historian, $3,000 according to Smith Granite Company's records. (The higher figure may include site preparation, dedication expenses, and other ancillary costs.)

SOLDIERS MONUMENT, Branford, is composed of a tall tan Westerly granite pedestal and shaft which support the figure of a standard-bearer. It is located between the Town Hall and the Congregational Church in an area known historically as the Town Green. The monument is dedicated to all Branford men who fought in the war.

The 16"-high, 7'-square plinth of the monument is surrounded by three feet of concrete poured in 1916. The second of two stages in the 9' pedestal's base is rounded on the front of the top to accept a raised cipher consisting of crossed rifles, and the letters G.A.R. in a wreath. The dado of the pedestal, on its front face, bears the lettering recorded below. The other three faces are plain. A polished raised band of stars runs across the top of the dado on all four sides.

The capital at the top of the tall tapered shaft is made up of the Shield of the United States in a large U-shaped motif. It is the same on all four sides. The figure on top stands with right foot forward and most of the flag behind him. His right hand is on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw to defend the flag. His left hand is higher on the flagstaff, which is unusually short. He wears a sack coat, trousers, moustache, and kepi.

West face of plinth, at the top near the rear, small raised polished caps:

Front (north) face of dado, incised caps:

    Above, in base of shaft:

    At top:

West face of shaft:

South:

East:

Jane P. Bouley, Branford Town Historian, letter to Connecticut Historical Commission, March 31, 1993.

Isaac Gallup Smith, Jr., conversation, January 20, 1994.