This is a rather unusual memorial. The design and arrangement is not one that is often encountered. The piece is large. Framed and matted it meas. approx. 39.00 x 32.75 inches. Across the top center are the words “MILITARY MEMORIAL” over a spread winged eagle. Beneath the eagle is “E PLURIBUS UNIM TRIUMPHANT.” Portraits of Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln and Garfield flank this central design. Beneath each is a quote about the importance of the Union. The far edges are decorated with a tree and vine like design from which are hanging haversacks, knapsacks, muskets, drums, forage caps, saddles and other soldier’s equipment. Also in the upper area are charts that show how many times President Lincoln called for troops, how many he called for and how many each state provided. It also lists the total Union losses and the total cost of the war as well as the major battles by year.

The center of the piece has a view of the US Capitol building surrounded by all the different Corps badges of the Union Army as well as busts for the following Generals; Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Admiral Farragut, Howard, Rosecrans, Logan, McClellan, Hancock, Butler, Fremont, Hooker, Meade, Burnside, Halleck, McPherson, Custer, Canby and Scott. Mixed among the Corps badges and Generals portraits is a figure of a soldier, sailor, cavalryman and an artilleryman. Beneath these portraits is a space to write in a soldier’s name, rank unit and other personal information however, these have been left blank. The Portrait of General Scott mentioned above is at the center top of this section. Four other portraits appear in this area. They are of Major Robert Anderson, Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, Superintendent of Nurses Dorthea Dix and the head of the United States Sanitary Commission, Dr. Henry W. Bellows.

The lower section is filled with drawings from soldier life. Marching to war, in camp, hospital, prison and battles. Item is in good condition. Frame is the original walnut frame with wood backing while the mat is white. The acid in the mat is discoloring the print along the edges so the piece should be re-matted. The frame is in good shape with straight edges on the outside and a nice scrollwork design on the inside around the document. There is some light wear, especially in the corners.