GEN. U. S. GRANT MEMORIAL
The Grant Memorial, situated at the head of the Mall, in Union Square, near the Capitol, was authorized by Congress in 1901, at a cost of $250,000, the largest expenditure for statuary ever made by this Government. It is said to be the second largest equestrian statue in the world, being exceeded only by the Victor Emmanuel in Rome, which is less than one-half foot higher.
The monument consists of a marble platform 252 feet in length and 69 feet at its greatest width, with steps on each side. In the center is a pedestal 22 feet 6 inches high, on the top of which is a monumental bronze figure of General Grant on horseback watching a battle. The horse is 17 feet 6 inches high, two and one-half times life-size; the monument is nearly 40 feet high. The top of General Grant’s army hat is 65 feet above the platform. The weight of the statue is 10,500 pounds.
GEN. U. S. GRANT MEMORIAL—CAVALRY GROUP
GEN. U. S. GRANT MEMORIAL—ARTILLERY GROUP
GEN. U. S. GRANT MEMORIAL
The infantry is represented by two bronze tablets at each side of the pedestal.
On the platform at the right a cavalry charge is in progress. There are seven horses in the group.
On the platform at the left a battery of artillery is going into action. There are five horses and four soldiers in this group.
In these groups the sculptor has given particular attention to portraying the army equipment of the period.
Four great bronze lions are at each corner of the main pedestal, guarding the flag. For the inscription the memorial has the single word “Grant.”
The monument was cast by the Roman Bronze Works, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and was dedicated April 27, 1922. Edward Pearce Casey was the architect. The sculptor, Henry Merwin Shrady, died on April 12, a few days before the dedication. The monument represents his most notable work.