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1882 Civil War Monument
On West Park Avenue, opposite the Niles Post Office and in the
southwest corner of the McKinley Memorial grounds stands a tall
stately Quincy granite monument honoring Major-General James Birdseye
McPherson, one of the real heroes of the Battle of Atlanta, July
22, 1864.
Today residents of Niles pass their Civil War monument probably
not fully aware of its presence, for as long as anyone can remember,
it has always been there. General McPherson, was the highest ranking
soldier from Ohio killed in the war. General Sherman noted General
McPherson’s heroic qualities in the eulogy.
Picture of postcard showing the Soldier's Monument in honor of
General James "Birdseye" McPherson. Postmarked
1914. Old town hall shown in background. The Old Town Hall was
on the site where the McKinley Memorial would be built, monument
still standing on rear grounds of Memorial. Erected by McPherson
Post #116 of GAR and Citizens of Weathersfield Twp. to honor General
James "Birdseye" McPherson, born Sandusky, OH Nov. 14,
1828.
On December 24, 1878 the McPherson post #16 of the Ohio Department
of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in Niles with
30 charter members. Josiah Robbins served as their first commander.
The post grew to 150 members, although there were some 250 veterans
from the community who saw service during the Civil War.
The purpose of this group was to instill in the minds of others
the importance of a patriotic devotion to the ideals for which
these veterans fought and to revere the names of those who made
the supreme sacrifice. Regular meetings were held and civic affair’s
were always discussed.
Members of the McPherson Post #16 became interested in erecting
a monument in honor of Major-General McPherson. The idea of raising
funds for such a monument was presented to the voters of Weathersfield
Township in March 1882.The issue passed almost unanimously. The
monument was selected, a gray granite shaft surmounted by an eagle.
The main shaft bears the inscription:
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“Erected to the memory of our fallen heroes in the
war of 1862- 1865.
By McPearson Post #16 , Department of Ohio GAR
and the Citizens of Weathersfield Township,
General McPeherson Killed July 22, 1864.”
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Also on each side of the main shaft, just below the war emblems,
are listed one of the following four battles: “ Fredricksburgh,
Gettysburg, Look Out Mountain, & Shiloh”
On Saturday, October 21, 1882 the monument was dedicated, starting
off with the cannon being fired. A parade was formed and marched
downtown, arriving at the speaker’s stand which was erected
in front of the Town Hall. At that time the Town Hall was located
on what is now known as North Arlington Street, just west of where
the McKinley Memorial now stands.
Speakers of the day were the Hon. E. B. Taylor of Warren and Honorable
William McKinley from Niles. They both paid inspiring tribute
to the patriotism of the private soldier as a power behind the
famous generals of the army. They pointed it out that our nation
owed it to her soldiers to deal generously with them, as they
will never be overpaid for their sacrifices upon the battle field.
Members of the Grand Army of the Republic: Memorial Day, 1922
Lest we forget the past, one hundred and twenty seven years later
those words still ring true. Next time you are in that area of
town, look over at the monument and remember all our fallen heroes.
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