'Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond' -- African-American Civil War Memorial NW Washington (DC) June 2022

Ed Hamilton was chosen from a field of four nationally known sculptors to create the "Spirit of Freedom: African-American Civil War Memorial", which was installed in 1998 in Washington (DC) at 10th and "U" Streets, NW.

 

The 8'x9' bronze monument memorializes the service to the Union of the over 209,000 United States Color Troops (USCT) during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

 

Inscriptions on the Memorial:

 

Statue front base:

CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND BEYOND

THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN UNITS OF THE UNION ARMY IN THE CIVIL WAR

THE 209,145 NAMES INSCRIBED ON THESE WALLS COMMEMORATE THOSE FIGHTERS OF FREEDOM

 

Statue back base:

Spirit of Freedom

Ed Hamilton Sculptor

 

Granite Wall Circling the Memorial Displaying Plaques Showing the Names of Those Who Fought in These African-American Units, Organized by Regiment:

WHO WOULD BE FREE THEMSELVES MUST STRIKE THE BLOW

BETTER EVEN DIE FREE THAN TO LIVE SLAVES

FREDERICK DOUGLASS MARCH 2, 1863

 

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Done