Dedicated in 1871 to honor Rhode Island soldiers killed in the Civil War, our Soldiers and Sailors Monument was one of the first to represent the Black soldiers killed during the war, specifically the 14th Rhode Island Regiment Heavy Artillery. The forty-foot monument is hard to miss, but many people have probably only viewed it while waiting in traffic. Walk over some day and take a proper look; after all, these people gave their lives to preserve The Union. And the bronzes are exceptional. From the Smithsonian:
The bronze bas-relief plaques with carved relief depictions representing war, victory, peace, and history illustrated with African-American women. The monument was designed by Randolph Rogers; the figures were sculpted in Rome and cast in Munich before being assembled in Providence.
The 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored) — later the 11th United States Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment — was organized in Providence and mustered in August 28, 1863, for three years service.
Students and scholars may want to check out the Special and Archival Collections at Providence College:
The collection contains personal and official correspondences, general and special orders, rosters, courts-martial records, and other documents, detailing [US Army officer, Allen F.] Cameron’s activities during the war, as well as life in the Union Army, and the treatment of black troops by white officers.
It’s interesting how much The Smithsonian relies on images from stereopticon cards to illustrate this period in American history.
(In researching this piece, I found that the apostrophes were all over the place. One source had an apostrophe on the soldiers but not the sailors. I have gone without. No letters please.)
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, 99 Kennedy Plaza, across from City Hall, (directions)