Glass Book Copyright N^. COPYRIGHT DEPOSm NOTES AND SPECIKICATIONS OF A DESIGN FOR THIJ EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF the; late Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN WASHINGTON, D. C. Respectfully Submitted By FREDERICK D. OWEN, Architect. General Design and Pedestal. MAY 1. 1902. NOTES ANO SPECIFICA^XIONS DESION FOR THE EQUKSTR1>\N STATUE OF THE LATE Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN W^ASHINOTON. D. C Respectfully Submitted By FREDERICK D. OWEN, Architect. General Design and Pedestal. Assisted By U. S. J. DUNBAR, Sculptor. Horse and Rider. MRLVA B. WILSON, Sculptor. Ba.se Figures and Panels. MAY 1. 1902. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN. Born, Philadelphia, Pa., 1826. Died, Orange, N. J., 1885. ■D > 1- 71 ro 3 •f V) (f) £. O ^- O V) 0) O Dl 3 3 O C/) 03 Z o o " I- ^ '^ re Notes and Specifications. It is assumed that Pennsylvania avenue and Thirteenth street triang-le will be the location, therefore, the desig-n submitted is made somewhat hig-h on account of the neig-h- boring- buildings all being tall, and besides on parade occa- sions when reviewing stands are erected and generally in front of the statue, the hero cannot be seen by the paraders and passing throng. If this site should be selected it would then correspond with General Hancock's statue and triangle. The Sherman statue is 30 feet in height, granite w^ork. The Hancock statue is 19 feet in height, granite work. The Scott statue is 16 feet in height, granite work. The design submitted is to be 22 feet granite work, and is 23-6 X 30-6 on its base. The Greek school of architecture has been resorted to for the study of the design, and the proportions have been worked out faithfully with astonishing appropriateness and pleasing results. The die proper is designed and figures received from the quarry for producing one solid granite block 13 feet long by about 4x5 feet thick. The cornice likewise is designed to be one solid cap block of granite with all ornaments and details cut in the solid, thereby saving in future dark colored weather-beaten joints. The columns are to be each solid pieces of granite. The central body may be left open with six classic Greek columns supporting the cornice and horse and rider, or it can be filled in by a central mass as shown, leaving" two side porticos for treatment, or it can all be filled in, leaving eight panels for battle enrichment. The main panel represents the battle of Antietim at the famous Burnside bridge and in large size would be one of the most attractive features of all presented. The two side round medallions show Hooker's famous charge on one side and a typical cavalry charge on the other. The opposite side to be similarly treated with a battle scene of the Peninsular campaign of Williamsburg as the central feature. The central upper die carvings are the shields of the cavalrj' and artillery as used in the army of the Potomac encampments, etc., representing the defences of the Capital by a small carved vista of the capitol as seen from Soldiers Home, Fort Stevens and elsewhere. The inner die panels are to have carved or bronze letters giving the various battles, etc. The cornice decoration is ornamental as well as serv- iceable, for here are shown the different army corps badges, eight in number, and upjn each right side the generals name who commanded each corps, same name to be selected by the Commission. Divided in the center and below the shields are the words: Maj. Gen. George B. McCleixan, and upon the opposite side : Society of the Army of the Potomac. Upon the foremost end the year 1862, and upon the rear end the year, 1902, or the year in which the monument is built, with date of month, etc In the forward portico is placed a bust of the hero upon a Greek base, and behind the same upon a panel of the die are inscribed the words : Born, Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 3, 1826. Died, Orange, ?;. J., Oct. 29, 1885. The object in showing this is owing to the fact that the hero was a Presidental candidate and a likeness in later years therefore is not inappropriate. In case this feature is not approved of it can be omitted. On the top, besides the bronze base, is shown the castle, emblem of the United States Engineer Corps to which the hero was appointed July, 1846. On the opposite side encircled in a wreath a monogram, "A. P." used by the comrades of the Army of the Potomac. At the forward end is placed a bronze wreath, a decoration seen upon the Washington statue in Paris and elsewhere. The fret, or wall of Troy, as it is sometimes called, on the top of the base besides being- classic, is appropriate, because it partakes of the eng-ineering- features which the hero was accustomed to engage in. The stars just above the base are for the number of States on the Union side, and above in the cornice are shown forty-five stars, the reunited states looking down upon all below. The base band of leaves bound tog-ether is also well chosen to portray a band of brotherhood and union as it encircles the whole statue. The four corner small dies are to allow the base panel being- seen and at the same time lend a little base curve to the height and eye line of the design. The classic seat between these four supporting- dies are to enable visitors and comrades to view with ease the bronze features, especially the panels. A slig-ht reduction of the granite work is recommended which would not affect the design in the least deg-ree. Such changes are frequently found necessary when desig-ns are finished in volume form. Equestrian Statue. The General is represented as being on his way up Pennsylvania avenue in answer to a summons for con- sultation. Suddenly firing is heard to the south and the horse being anxious for the fray turns his head in that direction and pauses momentarily, as thoug-h he would g-o to it, but the restraining- rein of the General holds him back. At that moment being recognized by the admirers who cheer him he g-ives his customary salute, viz : shaking his hat. The sculptor has endeavored to portray the character of General McClellan's famous charter. "Dan Webster" as near as possible from description. Detail such as trapping-s and the finer points of modeling- have been slig-hted for the g-eneral effect. Base Figures. The two sets of miniature figures on either side of the base of the pedestal, modeled by Melva Beatrice Wilson, are sug-g-estive of power, emotion and heroism. The two standing" fig-ures, one bearing- the flag-, the other holding- aloft the sword, stand in emblematic a^lleg-iance to the in- sig-na of patrotism shown upon the pedestal. While the two prostrate fiig-ures portray no less powerfully (although fallen) the same loyalty, each holding- up his arm in witness to his fidelity to his country and to his flag. The presenter begs to say to the committee in the event of them honoring his design with the award of erection, the two groups could be changed into single standing figures of four Generals or four single tnen (agree- able to the selection of the committee) to be placed on each of the bases about the pedestal, and said four single figures to cost the same in bronze production as estimate for said two groups of two figures each. Or, if the commission prefers, four bronze Greek urns or tubs can be placed on the four corners as shown on the model ; or the four corners can be left free as shown in the photographs. District of Columbia, ss.- Personally appeared before me, Henry E. Cooper, a Notary Public in and for the District of Columbia, Frederick D. Owen, Ksq.. who being duly sworn according to law de- doses as follows : — That he has contracts and agreements from different firms for supplying the component parts of the statue to be erected to the late Maj. General McClellan, as shown in the model he the said Owen submits and that if the con- tract for the erection of the said statue is awarded to him, he can erect same well within the appropriation made by Congress. And further deponent sayeth not. FREDERICK D. OWEN. Sworn to before me this 2Sth day of April A. D.. 1902. [seal] henry E. cooper, Notary Public. END VIEW. FOR THE Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN STATUE COMPETITION. ill. 10 LAV, L-'lv, r^sAY 2M902 Z\ LW.C MAY 20 V ^'i^^ 014 368 874 4 rw::^ii. y-^-::