Relief Sculpture: Mourning Victory at the Melvin Memorial - Concord, MA

Mourning Victory

at the 

Melvin Memorial

Concord, MA

N 42° 27.816 W 071° 20.608

Short  Description: 

The sculpture Mourning Victory is part of the Melvin Memorial, a cenotaph honoring the memory of three brothers Privates Asa, John and Samuel Melvin who died during the Civil War. It is located in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA

Long Description:

In 1908 James Melvin commissioned Daniel Chester French to create a memorial to his three brothers, Asa, John, and Samuel, all of whom died while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Melvin Memorial contains a relief sculpture "Mourning Victory" which is considered to be one of the finest sculptures by the artist. The Melvin Memorial is was dedicated on June 16, 1909.

A 9.75' high rectangular marble slab is in the center of a 12.25' by 22' by 16.5' base. The relief sculpture "Mourning Victory" is carved into an upright marble slab. An allegorical partially clad female figure surrounded with a large drape. She is lifting the drape away from her head with her right hand. In her left hand she holds a leafed branch. The sculpture is above a platform with two low walls forming the back and sides of the memorial. There is a bench on each side. Below "Mourning Victory" is the inscription:

IN MEMORY OF THREE BROTHERS BORN IN CONCORD 

WHO AS PRIVATE SOLDIERS GAVE THEIR 

LIVES IN THE WAR TO SAVE THE COUNTRY

THIS MEMORIAL IS PLACED HERE BY THEIR SURVIVING

BROTHER, HIMSELF A PRIVATE SOLDIER IN THE SAME WAR.

"I WITH UNCOVERED HEAD

SALUTE THE SACRED DEAD

WHO WENT AND WHO RETURN NOT."

On the platform are three rectangular gray stone slabs, on for each brother, each with a bronze musket and wreath. They are inscribed:

ASA HEALD MELVIN

BORN SEPTEMBER 25, 1831

KILLED IN BATTLE BEFORE PETERSBURG VA.

JUNE 16, 1864

JOHN HEALD MELVIN

BORN JULY 27, 1841

DIED IN MILITARY HOSPITAL AT

FORT ALBANY VIRGINIA

OCTOBER 13, 1863

SAMUEL MELVIN

BORN APRIL 9, 1844

TAKEN PRISONER AT HARRISS FARM VA.

MAY 19, 1864

DIED AT ANDERSONVILLE GA.

SEPTEMBER 1864

Asa Heald Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He was was killed in action in a charge on the enemy's lines at Petersburg, Va., on June 16, 1864. He is buried in an unknown grave.

John Heald Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He died of disease at Fort Albany, Va., on Oct. 13, 1863. He is buried in a plot next to his parents elsewhere in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Samuel Melvin was a private in Co. K, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers Heavy Artillery. He was captured during the battle of Spottsylvania, VA, brought to Camp Sumter, Andersonville, GA where he died on September 25, 1864. He is buried there on Lot 9735.