Connecticut's Civil War Monuments

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139 East Putnam Avenue (oppos.) at intersection with Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT

Dedicated: October 22, 1890
Type: Granite pedestal and standard-bearer figure
Architect: W.L. Cottrell
Sculptor: E.F. Patti
Supplier: Lazzari & Barton
Height: Approximately 25'

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT, Greenwich, is significant historically because it is a symbol of the honor and respect paid by the community to its sons who served in the Civil War. Erected at a cost of $6,000, it occupies the site of the former Town House, which was an enlistment headquarters at the time of the war.

The Dedication Day ceremonies on October 22, 1890, were suitably festive. The many distinguished guests included Governor Morgan G. Bulkeley, who arrived by express train, United States Senators Joseph P. Hawley and Orville H. Platt, and Chief Justice Charles B. Andrews. A parade led by Wheeler & Wilson's band from Bridgeport and a program of speeches were followed by two collations for participants and guests.

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT, Greenwich, is significant artistically because its pedestal exhibits unusually three-dimensional modeling for a Civil War monument. The quarry-faced Gibbs surround effect, sculptural depth of the eagle, and heaviness of the castellation and finial spheres all set this monument apart from most, and presumably reflect the artistry of E.F. Patti.

The statement that the sculptor was E.F. Patti and the architect W.L. Cottrell appeared in the Greenwich News, April 22, 1993, page A9, without citation. An undated, unidentified clipping at the Greenwich Library states that the monument was designed by Lazzari & Barton of Woodlawn, New York, whose name appears on the base. Little is known about the sculptor, architect, and stonecutter and the details of just what work was done by each are not clear, but the pedestal is an outstanding example of three-dimensional sculpture not commonly seen in Civil War monuments; full credit is due its creators. The figure is a conventional standard-bearer, as seen at SOLDIERS MONUMENT, Unionville in Farmington; SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, St. Bernard Cemetery, New Haven; and elsewhere.

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT, Greenwich, is sited in a small narrow triangular park at the intersection of East Putnam and Maple Avenues. The grade rises sharply, placing the monument some 15/20' above the busy traffic of East Putnam Avenue. Branches of a nearby magnolia tree touch the monument. A tall evergreen hedge surrounds and obscures the base, making it difficult to read the principal memorial lettering.

The monument consists of plinth, elaborate pedestal or shaft, and standard-bearer figure. The two-stage plinth is quarry-finished. The memorial lettering appears on the face of the base of the pedestal. A broad scotia molding above the lettering is embellished with a raised trophy of kepi and bayonet with belt arranged as a ribbon.

The dado has a raised central polished surface, beveled, with recessed bands of battle names. The central surface is flanked by quarry-faced stone rusticated to create the effect of a Gibbs surround. Above is a vigorous three-dimensional eagle. The cornice is castellated, on a large scale, there being only two merlons, with spheres on the corner piers.

On the south the recessed battle name APPOMATTOX appears in place of the eagle, with a band of stars above. On the east are overlapping shields of the United States and Connecticut, while the north features the battle name NEW-BERN.

The standard-bearer is dressed in trousers and frock coat with collar turned down, standing with his right leg forward and toe projecting over the edge of the base. His right arm crosses his torso, putting his right hand at the hilt of the sword, ready to draw to defend the colors, as his left arm encircles the folds of the flag. He wears a kepi, looking straight ahead.

Bottom of base of pedestal, north face, east end, raised small caps:

Front (west) face of pedestal base, polished raised caps:

    Above, raised polished caps in recessed bands:

South:

East:

North:

Ephemera at Greenwich Library, Monument & Memorial folder.

Greenwich News, April 22, 1993, p. A9, il.

"Public Sculpture in Greenwich," (Greenwich Arts Council, 1990).