Scenes from Civil War New York: Sherman Memorial
ECW is pleased to welcome back Jonathan W. White and Timothy Justin Orr, authors of New York City in the Civil War (Arcadia, 2025) with another scene from Civil War New York. Part of a series.
In 1902, renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens completed his equestrian statue of Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman which featured Sherman being led by the Goddess of Victory. Located at corner of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, near the entrance to Central Park, Saint-Gaudens’s monument became the centerpiece to Grand Army Plaza, which was funded by a donation from Joseph Pulitzer in 1911. This September 1942 photograph depicts New Yorkers lounging at the statue’s base.
————
Today’s scene relates to “A City’s Memories of War,” Chapter Twelve in Jonathan and Tim’s book New York City in the Civil War, part of the Images of America Series from Arcadia Press.
This is our last entry in the Scenes from Civil War New York series. We want to extend a special thanks to Jonathan and Tim for sharing their work with us!
Given Sherman’s well remembered liking for pretty young ladies after the passing of his wife, I find it very appropriate for the general to be led forward by a comely young woman, even if a goddess is a bit above his pay grade.