Coldwater Soldier's Monument

Soldiers Monument overview

As mentioned in the Christmas post, we like seeing monuments at different times of the year when possible. Most monuments are seen by us only during the warmer weather due to distance or the fact that we are seeing them in conjunction with a reenactment.

In the spirit of this, I wish to draw some attention to the monument square in downtown Coldwater.  Not everything that will be pictured in the background of this and subsequent posts are related to the black powder era and so will not be detailed. Many of these pictures were taken a couple years ago after the annual reenactment held every Memorial Day weekend. For more information of the reenactment itself, search for "Branch County Civil War Days" online. 





Detail of soldier Front

In close up we see an infantryman at the position of "In place rest." He is dressed for cold weather as he is wearing his greatcoat, as mentioned in the Christmas post. In the rear facing photo you can see the short cape that is used as a hood and his bayonet in the scabbard. 

Detail of Soldier, rear.

The plinth he stands on has four inscriptions on it. I will write out the inscriptions for clarity.




Front Face

"To the Memory of the Soldier Dead. Erected by Butterworth Woman's Relief Corps No. 31 and the Citizens of Coldwater. Dec[ember] 11, 1906"

Left Face
"To the memory of the soldiers of the Spanish American and Philippine wars who gave their lives in defence of the flag in foreign lands."



Right Face

"To the memory of the boys whose lives went out when alone on picket, on southern battlefield, in prison pen, or 'neath the ocean wave. 1861-1865"



Rear
"Butterworth Post No. 109. Grand Army Republic. Organized in the city of Coldwater. March 9, 1883.  Butterworth Woman's Relief Corps No. 31. Organized in the city of Coldwater Jan 30, 1885"

A few side notes regarding the monument. The statue itself, I believe, is one of the mass produced ones you could order from Sears (yes, THAT Sears) through their catalogue in the late 19th and early 20th century.  I have seen similar or identical soldiers at other places.

 Regarding the inscription, I wish to relate two things.  The Spanish American War of 1898 does technically fall within the scope of this blog.  The volunteer troops that were raised were issued breech loading conversions of the muskets issued in the Civil War.  These used black powder metallic cartridges.  As it is mentioned on the inscription, the Philippine war was a three year uprising that occurred immediately after the United States taking the Philippines from Spain in the 1898 war. It is almost completely forgotten today.

Next time I shall detail the cannon on the other side of the street.

-Corporal