Hannibal the United States Military Academy Mule - Highland Falls, NY

Hannibal

 the 

United States Military Academy Mule

Highland Falls, NY

N 41° 22.388 W 073° 57.833

Short Description:

 A monument to Hannibal the mascot of the United States Military Academy at West Point is located on the median between US Route 9W to SR 218 opposite the United States Military Academy Visitors Center and Museum.

Long Description:

A statue of Hannibal the most famous United States Military Academy mule, who was the mascot of West Point from 1947-1964, is depicted mounted by a West Point cadet. Hannibal is in apparent motion with its front right foot and left rear foot off the ground. The 15' high bronze statue was created by J. David Nunneley and erected in 2004 by the West Point Class of 1954 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their graduation.

The 4' high rectangular and tapered stone block base has three bronze plaques. The plaque on the east side is inscribed:

HANNIBAL

WEST POINT MULE MASCOT

The plaque on the south side is inscribed:

THE ARMY MULE

SINCE 1899 THE MULE HAS BEEN THE WEST POINT MASCOT PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF THE CORPS OF CADETS.

MULES WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE ARMY IN THE LATE 1800s THROUGH WORLD WAR I.

WHILE NOT REGULAR CALVARY MOUNTS, MULES WERE USED EXTENSIVELY TO PULL SUPPLY WAGONS, CAISSONS, AND ARTILLERY PIECES.

MULES ARE STRONGER, MORE SUREFOOTED, MORE INTELLIGENT AND EAT LESS THAN HORSES.

RIDING MULES LIKE "HANNIBAL" WERE USED BY MOUNTED GUARDS AND BY MESSENGERS.

HANNIBAL (249-183 B.C.) WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MILITARY LEADERS OF ALL TIME.

"HANNIBAL" WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL WEST POINT MASCOT. HE SERVED THE CORPS OF CADETS FAITHFULLY FROM 1947-1964. 

The plaque on the west side is inscribed:

DONATED TO HIGHLAND FALLS

IN RECOGNITION OF

THEIR GREAT SUPPORT TO

WEST POINT

AND 

THE CORPS OF CADETS.

22 MAY 2004

{LIST OF NAMES}

ERECTED BY COMPANY M, 2nd REGIMENT, WEST POINT CLASS OF 1954,

AND THEIR MANY FRIENDS, ON THEIR 50th ANNIVERSARY OF GRADUATION.

{THREE COLUMN LIST OF NAMES}