A rather large and very golden statue. Noticeable for sure!
The General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument is a bronze-and-granite equestrian statue in Washington, D.C., unveiled in 1903, with a story full of surprises.The General William Tecumseh Sherman
The monument's artist was chosen in 1896, but the selection was highly controversial. The original sculptor, Carl Rohl-Smith, died in 1900 before the statue was finished. His wife, Sara Rohl-Smith, oversaw completion with help from other sculptors like Theo Kitson, Lauritz Jensen, and Sigvald Asbjornsen. The statue shows Sherman riding a horse, but it's not just the figure -- the base features story panels, soldier figures, and a colourful mosaic designed by Rohl-Smith.
The mosaic was made by the National Mosaic Company, and the granite came from Massachusetts. The monument was expected to cost $90,000, but the final bill was $123,969.91. Funding came from veterans' groups and Congress, with the Society of the Army of the Tennessee raising half the cost.
President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the monument on October 15, 1903. It stands in Sherman Plaza, part of President's Park, and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Sherman was known for his bold "scorched earth" tactics and for leading the Army of the Tennessee. The monument honors his role in the Civil War, but the art itself blends his military legacy with the craftsmanship of multiple sculptors. The monument's design included figures representing "War" and "Peace," but their final placement had to be reshaped by another sculptor because they didn't fit perfectly. read more