The Battle Monument at West Point

The Battle Monument at West Point was erected in 1896 by Civil War Union veterans. The monument was estimated to cost $45,000, to be funded by contributions from enlisted men and officers. However, the monument's completion was reportedly delayed by a mostly-undocumented disagreement between former General George McClellan, Secretary of War Stanton, and Colonel Bowman. The monument was finally created in 1896 at a cost of $75,000. The monument bears the names of 2,042 men and 188 officers who lost their lives during the war.

The West Point Battle Monument features an octagonal plateau with stairs of 5 steps. Each of the eight corners contains 8 plinths of granite. Each plinth carries a large granite ball. Each granite ball contains a tablet that bears the names of the fallen soldiers. On each sides of the granite balls are two bronze cannons each. There are a total of 16 bronze cannons. Stony Creek Quarry was the provider of the shaft of the monument. The granite measure to be 41 feet and 6 inches long. It is 5 feet and 8 inches in diameter at the bottom and at the top it narrowed to 4 feet and 9.5 inches in diameter. This shaft came to weight an amazing 72 tons. On the very top of the monument, is the figure Fame, a winged and draped angel. The total height of the monument is 75 feet and unmistakable on the Hudson River.

The West Point Battle Monument serves as a symbol of sacrifice by those who have trained at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. It serves as a reminder of tradition as well as sacrifice for cadets.

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