The Portsmouth Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a large and historically significant memorial to Union veterans of the Civil War.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire was the second largest city in her home state at the time of the Civil War, although unlike the largest city, Manchester, she had seen no growth in population during the 1850s. As mills towns sprang up along the New Hampshire rivers and river traffic and railroads brought what was produced to Boston, Portsmouth was left behind. In 1790, Boston had 18,320 people and Portsmouth had 4,720, about a quarter of Boston’s population. In 1860, Boston had 177,840 people but Portsmouth had only 9,335, about 1/18th the size of Boston.
During the Civil War, despite its small size, Portsmouth gave the Union Army one of its first regiments of the war. It also provided a warship that would be remembered by students of the naval conflict.
The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1888 in a newly created urban square. The monument was constructed without city funds, using only donations.
The square went through a quarter of a million dollar restoration recently. The monument was restored to what it looked like nearly a century-and-a-half ago. The landscaping is well-maintained and benches and paths have been redone. Atop the monument is Lady Liberty, holding out a wreath for victory.
The monument stands 42 feet tall. It is a “white bronze” memorial, meaning this is made out of zinc. There are a sailor and a soldier at the left and right of Liberty. In front are cannon balls.
The front is marked with “GETTYSBURG.”
The front of the monument is inscribed: “In honor of the men of Portsmouth who gave their services on the land and on the sea in the war which preserved the Union of the States this monument is erected by grateful citizens. 1888.”
Below the cannon balls is the seal of Portsmouth.
To the right is the emblem of the Grand Army of the Republic.
While Portsmouth was a relatively small city, its local men quickly formed an infantry regiment. The 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment was formed on May 31, 1861, just six weeks after the war began. The regiment fought at the First Bull Run and continued to serve until Lee’s surrender. The regiment was significantly reduced after Gettysburg. Out of 353 men who went into the battle, 47 died, 136 were wounded and 36 men were missing in action. Harriet Patience Dame was a nurse who served with the regiment who was later recognized as a hero by her state.
The east face is marked with “FREDERICKSBURG.” Above that are muskets. A soldier is the focal point of this side, with an artillery piece behind him.
By the middle of July, 1863, the draft lottery began to be drawn in Portsmouth. While many men had voluntarily enlisted, those who stayed behind resisted being drafted and at least one hundred rioters tried to disrupt the conscription.
The south face is marked with “ANTIETAM.” Over it is a list of battles the men from Portsmouth fought in.
The panel showing the naval participation in the Civil War focused on the U.S.S. Kearsarge, with the name of the ship underneath the sailor. The ship was named after Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire and it was built in Portsmouth’s naval yard.
On June 19, 1864, the notorious Confederate raider Alabama came out of Cherbourg Harbor in France to face the Kearsarge. The Alabama had claimed sixty-five prizes before, but she was bested by the Kearsarge. Northern ports were relieved by the defeat of the raider which had excited so much fear. In front of the Kearsarge, the monument had a sailor standing.
Here you can see a detailed frieze of the Kearsarge behind the sailor.
We can see a representation of a cannon behind the infantryman.
While this site is in the middle of the city, it is heavily wooded around the square, making it a nice place to enjoy a quiet afternoon.
The monument includes a portrait of Governor Ichabod Goodwin, the New Hampshire governor at the start of the war. The park is called Goodwin’s Park. It is located across from the mansion where Gov. Goodwin lived, although today that house has been moved to the Strawbery Banke Museum nearby.
To visit, go to Goodwin Park at Islington Street east of Cabot Street.
All color photos were taken by Pat Young. To see more sites Pat visited CLICK HERE for Google Earth view.
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