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51-422: The monument marks Shaw's death on July 18, 1863 after he and his troops attacked Fort Wagner , one of two forts protecting the strategic Confederate port of Charleston, South Carolina . Joshua Bowen Smith , a Massachusetts state legislator, led the effort to obtain authorization for the monument; others participating in its early planning included Governor John Albion Andrew , who had urged Shaw to take command of

102-401: A man: but the high soul burns on to light men's feet where death for noble ends makes dying sweet. On the rear are words by Charles W. Eliot , president of Harvard University : The White Officers taking life and honor in their hands cast in their lot with men of a despised race unproven in war and risked death as inciters of servile insurrection if taken prisoners besides encountering all

153-705: A number of different publications from the Pan-American exposition company in Buffalo, along with publications from Rand McNally in New York. At the opening of the Pan-American Exposition on "Dedication Day", March 20, 1901, a procession led by Vice-President Roosevelt , who was attended by a number of dignitaries, which included Governor Odell , of New York, Conrad Diehl , the mayor of Buffalo, Senator Hanna , of Ohio, and Senator Gallinger , of New Hampshire. Leading

204-489: A number of different specially made postmarks inscribed with the words, "Pan-American Exposition, 1901". The Pan American issues were the first commemorative stamps to be issued in the 20th century. On September 4, President McKinley arrived and was greeted by thousands of people in anticipation of his visit. Also in September, former Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan visited the exposition and made an appearance at

255-426: A plot to kill the president had been discovered, while two other world leaders had recently been assassinated. Normally people who would draw near to the president were required to have their hands empty and in plain sight, but for reasons not clear, this rule was not strictly enforced. On the day prior to the shooting, McKinley had given an address at the exposition, which began as follows: I am glad to be again in

306-508: Is more than double the total unknowns at Beaufort National Cemetery, it appears many bodies were not removed and were lost to the shifting sea and sands. Within twenty years of the Civil War, the remnants of the fort had been washed away by erosion on Morris Island. A group of three ex-servicemen traveled to the fort in May 1885 and reported that the entire fort and approaches to it had washed away into

357-689: Is desirable to encourage the holding of a Pan-American Exposition on the Niagara Frontier in the City of Buffalo, in the year 1901, fittingly to illustrate the marvelous development of the Western Hemisphere during the Nineteenth Century, by a display of the arts, industries, manufactures and the products of the soil, mine and sea...The "Pan American" theme was carried throughout the event with the slogan "commercial well being and good understanding among

408-657: The Flip Flap Railway , attempted to demonstrate one of his looping roller coasters at the fair, but the organizers of the event considered the ride to be too dangerous and refused to allow it on the grounds. Buffalo native Nina Morgana , later a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera , was a child performer in the "Venice in America" attraction at the Exposition. Composer/organist Fannie Morris Spencer gave two recitals in

459-469: The Temple of Music on September 6, 1901. The exposition was illuminated at night. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. filmed it during the day and a pan of it at night. The Pan-American Exposition, often referred to as "The Rainbow City", received national attention in the press and elsewhere a couple of years before, during and after it occurred During the course of the exposition more than 8,000,000 visitors came to

510-694: The 4th had already reached the same conclusion, and the evacuation was carried out as planned. The fall of Battery Wagner would have considerable strategic significance. With its loss and that of Fort Gregg, Morris Island too fell to the US. Although Charleston remained in the hands of the rebels its port was effectively closed. At the end of the year, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles could report that "the commerce of Charleston has ceased." The impact also showed directly in rebel customs receipts, which fell drastically from 1863 to 1864. The labors and sacrifices of

561-581: The 54th Massachusetts on foot while they charged, and was killed in the assault. Although a tactical defeat, the publicity of the battle of Fort Wagner led to further action for black U.S. troops in the Civil War, and it spurred additional recruitment that gave the Union Army a further numerical advantage in troops over the South. Union forces besieged the fort after the unsuccessful assault. By August 25, Union entrenchments were close enough to attempt an assault on

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612-460: The 54th Regiment, Samuel Gridley Howe , and Senator Charles Sumner . The monument was meant to show the public's gratitude to Shaw and commemorate the events that recognized the citizenship of Black men. In celebrating Shaw, Saint-Gaudens depicted Shaw on horseback, while the Massachusetts 54th is depicted in bas-relief, thus creating a "stylistically unprecedented" and "hybrid" work that modifies

663-576: The Advanced Rifle Pits, 240 yards in front of the Battery, but the attempt was defeated. A second attempt, by the 24th Massachusetts Infantry, on August 26 was successful. After enduring almost 60 days of heavy U.S. shelling, the Confederates abandoned it on the night of September 6–7, 1863, withdrawing all operable cannons and the garrison. The main reason the fort was abandoned was a concern about

714-543: The American Republics." The advent of the alternating current power transmission system in the US allowed designers to light the Exposition in Buffalo using power generated 25 mi (40 km) away at Niagara Falls. In the months preceding the exposition promotional pamphlets, newspaper articles, guide books and other publications were published and released around the United States and elsewhere. Among them were

765-518: The Exposition was widely advertised by newspapers and magazines which played a significant role in attracting many thousands of people to the event. Of his visit to the exposition, McKinley's secretary of State, John Hay , remarked, "Never had I seen him higher in hope and patriotic confidence." His arrival was the source of great concern for the Secret Service, the Exposition police and others who were assigned to McKinley's security. The year before

816-650: The Temple of Music. Other attractions included The Great Amphitheater, Joshua Slocum 's sloop, the Spray , on which he had recently sailed around the world alone, the Trip to the Moon exhibit , a mechanical dark ride that was later housed at Coney Island 's Luna Park . In the center of the rose-garden beside the Woman's Building was Enid Yandell 's "Struggle of Existence," and a plaster version of

867-597: The US forces during the storms and siege had in the end shut down a vital lifeline to the rebellion. The best-known regiment that fought for the Union in the battle of Fort Wagner was the 54th Massachusetts, which was one of the first African-American regiments in the war. The 54th was controversial in the North, where many people supported the abolition of slavery but still treated African Americans as lesser or inferior to whites. Though some claimed blacks could not fight as well as whites,

918-467: The actions of the 54th Massachusetts demonstrated once again the fallacy in that argument, as this was not the first time blacks ever fought in war or even for the United States. William Carney , an African American and a sergeant with the 54th, is considered the first black recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at Fort Wagner in recovering and returning the unit's American flag to Union lines. After

969-525: The battle, but funds were redirected because the Beaufort site was found unsuitable and local white people expressed resentment. The monument was vandalized in 2012, 2015, and 2017. On May 31, 2020, as part of the 2020 George Floyd protests , the back of the monument was vandalized with phrases such as " Black Lives Matter ", " ACAB ," and "Fuck 12". As part of a renovation plan, the front had been covered with plywood, which also received graffiti . In July 2020,

1020-481: The battle, the Confederates buried the regiment's commanding officer, Colonel Shaw, in an unmarked mass grave with the African-American soldiers of his regiment as an insult to him. Instead, his family considered it an honor that Shaw was buried with his men. Morris Island is smaller than 1,000 acres and is subject to extensive erosion by storm and sea. Much of the site of Fort Wagner has been eroded away, including

1071-472: The blue-eyed child of fortune, upon whose happy youth every divinity had smiled. A Latin inscription on the relief reads OMNIA RELINQVIT / SERVARE REMPVBLICAM ("He left behind everything to save the Republic"). The pedestal below carries lines from James Russell Lowell 's poem "Memoriae Positum" : Right in the van of the red rampart's slippery swell with heart that beat a charge he fell foeward as fits

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1122-424: The bottom of this plaster cast incorrectly states that the assault on Fort Wagner and Shaw's death in 1863 occurred "JULY TWENTY THIRD," five days later than the historic events. Fort Wagner Fort Wagner or Battery Wagner was a beachhead fortification on Morris Island , South Carolina , that covered the southern approach to Charleston Harbor . Named for deceased Lt. Col. Thomas M. Wagner , it

1173-440: The buildings were constructed of timber and steel framing with precast staff panels made of a plaster/fiber mix. These buildings were built as a means of rapid construction and temporary ornamentation and not made to last. Prior to its demolition, an effort was made via public committee to purchase and preserve the original Electric Tower from the wrecking company for nearly US$ 30,000 ($ 1.1 million in 2023 dollars ). However,

1224-416: The city of Buffalo and exchange greetings with her people ... Expositions are the timekeepers of progress. They record the world's advancement. They stimulate the energy, enterprise, and intellect of the people; and quicken human genius. They go into the home. They broaden and brighten the daily life of the people. They open mighty storehouses of information to the student. The newly developed X-ray machine

1275-594: The common perils of camp march and battle. The Black rank and file volunteered when disaster clouded the Union Cause. Served without pay for eighteen months till given that of white troops. Faced threatened enslavement if captured. Were brave in action. Patient under heavy and dangerous labors. And cheerful amid hardships and privations. Together they gave to the Nation and the World undying proof that Americans of African descent possess

1326-569: The event. The event was organized by the Pan-American Exposition Company, formed in 1897. Cayuga Island was initially chosen as the place to hold the Exposition because of the island's proximity to Niagara Falls , which was a huge tourist attraction. When the Spanish–American War broke out in 1898, plans were put on hold. After the war, there was a heated competition between the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls over

1377-686: The exhibit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs with several prominent Sioux Indian chiefs, including Red Cloud , High Hawk and Blue Horse. Also present were chiefs from the Six Nations League of the Iroquois Confederacy , dressed in the traditional attire of their ancestors. Arriving during the preparatory stages of the Exposition, they erected various long houses that were once commonplace in their home lands of central New York, while they were attended by various translators. Lina Beecher , creator of

1428-455: The exposition and after much consideration and deliberation a 350-acre tract in the western area of Delaware Park was selected. The grounds on which the exposition would be constructed extended from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood and from Park Lake northward to present Great Arrow. The total expense for the exposition came to US$ 7 million. ($ 256 million in 2023 dollars.) In March 3, 1899, Congress pledged $ 500 000, and publicly declared that "it

1479-500: The fairgrounds. The Exposition also served to define what was officially to be considered "American Art" at the turn of the century. In May 1901 the U.S. Post Office began issuing a series of six commemorative stamps to help promote and fund the exposition. The stamps depicted the various modern transportation themes that were featured at the exposition. The stamps were placed on sale at the exposition from May 1 to October 31, 1901. Post Offices in Buffalo post-marked out-going mail with

1530-698: The fountain "Struggle of Life" installed in Rhode Island. On the last day of the exposition, Saturday, November 2, a sham battle was staged at the Stadium at the Pan-American Exhibition The several hundred participants included the six tribes of American Indians, dressed in traditional garb, and the United States Infantry stationed at Buffalo. The event also included theatrical explosive charges, weaponry and many hand to hand combat encounters, and

1581-484: The idea of "America for the Americans" was emphasized. Though the Pan-American Exposition featured many exhibits that possessed commercial and transportation and different worldly themes, it was also considered to be an art exhibition, with many American paintings, sculptures and other works of art from Canada and other countries, all of which were displayed in the Exposition's Albright Art Gallery and other locations about

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1632-544: The level beach and were supported by palmetto logs and sandbags. The fort's arsenal included fourteen cannons, the largest a 10-inch (250 mm) Columbiad that fired a 128-pound shell. It was a large structure capable of sheltering nearly 1,000 of the fort's 1,700-man garrison and provided substantial protection against naval shelling. The fort's land face was protected by a water-filled trench , 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 5 feet (1.5 m) deep, surrounded by buried land mines and sharpened palmetto stakes. The fort itself

1683-428: The location. Buffalo won for two main reasons. First, Buffalo had a much larger population; with roughly 350,000 people, it was the eighth-largest city in the United States. Second, Buffalo had better railroad connections; the city was also located on the east shore of Lake Erie and serviced by 12 steamship lines, and was within a day's journey by rail or steamship for over 40 million people. The Pan-American Exposition

1734-440: The loss of the garrison due to artillery fire and the threat of imminent assault. On September 6, the garrison commander, Colonel Keitt, wrote to his superiors, "The garrison must be taken away immediately after dark, or it will be destroyed or captured. It is idle to deny that the heavy Parrott shells have breached the walls and are knocking away the bomb-proofs. Pray have boats immediately after dark at Cummings Point to take away

1785-486: The men. I say deliberately that this must be done or the garrison will be sacrificed. I am sending the wounded and sick now to Cummings Point, and will continue to do so, if possible, until all are gone. I have a number of them now there. I have not in the garrison 400 effective men, including artillery. The engineers agree in opinion with me, or, rather, shape my opinion. I shall say no more." A council of war in Charleston on

1836-439: The military division of the parade was Louis Babcock, Grand Marshal of the Exposition parade, which also included the first division, consisting of the 71st Regiment Band and other military brigades. The procession passed over the monumental Triumphal Bridge which passes over Mirror Lake, and proceeded to the Temple of Music . More than 100,000 people were in attendance. At the temple they listened to various key note speakers, where

1887-595: The monument became a focus of discussion during the iconoclasm that took place as part of the George Floyd protests . Restoration of the monument began on May 20, 2020, and was completed in March 2021. The memorial was removed and taken to an offsite location for restoration. While the bronze sculpture was being cleaned and repaired, a new concrete foundation was built. The project cost $ 2.8 million and includes an augmented reality mobile app that assists visitors in experiencing

1938-614: The monument. New signage was added detailing the history of the Civil War , the 54th Regiment, and the monument itself, with QR codes for the AR app. In November 2023, a copy of the monument in the National Gallery of Art was damaged by an activist. The work was dedicated by philosopher William James of Harvard: There they march, warm-blooded champions of a better day for man. There on horseback among them, in his very habit as he lived, sits

1989-430: The necessary funding could not be raised in time. The site of the exposition was bounded by Elmwood Avenue on the west, Delaware Avenue on the east, what is now Hoyt Lake on the south, and the railway on the north. It is now occupied by a residential neighborhood from Nottingham Terrace to Amherst Street, and businesses on the north side of Amherst Street. A stone and marker on a traffic island dividing Fordham Drive, near

2040-709: The ocean. Although the Atlantic Ocean consumed Fort Wagner and the original site is now offshore, the Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust ) and its partners have acquired and preserved 118 acres (0.48 km ) of historic Morris Island , which had gun emplacements and other military installations during the war. 32°43′07″N 79°53′05″W  /  32.71861°N 79.88472°W  / 32.71861; -79.88472 Pan-American Exposition The Pan-American Exposition

2091-622: The operating table as they treated McKinley's wounds. Buildings and exhibits featured at the Pan-American Exposition included: When the fair ended, the contents of the grounds were sold to the Chicago House Wrecking Company of Chicago for US$ 92,000 ($ 2.93 million in 2023 dollars ). Demolition of the buildings began in March 1902, and within a year, most of the buildings were demolished. The grounds were then cleared and subdivided to be used for residential streets, homes, and park land. Similar to previous world fairs, most of

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2142-594: The place where the Union soldiers were buried. However, by the time that happened, the soldiers' remains were no longer there because soon after the end of the Civil War, the Army disinterred and reburied all the remains, including presumably those of Shaw, at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina , where their gravestones were marked as "unknown". The number missing presumed dead at Battery Wagner

2193-594: The pride, courage and devotion of the patriot soldier. One hundred and eighty thousand such Americans enlisted under the Union Flag in MDCCCLXIII–MDCCCLXV. [1863-1865] A plaster cast, which was exhibited at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition , is displayed at the National Gallery of Art , on loan by the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, New Hampshire . The inscription running along

2244-510: The traditional Western equestrian monument. Saint-Gaudens would later draw upon this new model in his 1903 memorial to William T. Sherman in New York's Central Park . Each of the twenty-three Black soldiers is rendered with distinct, individualistic features that were based on those of live models hired by Saint-Gaudens. Fundraising for the monument, led by the survivors of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and emancipated Black people from Beaufort, South Carolina , began immediately after

2295-409: Was 391, among the 10 regiments involved. 54th with the most at 146. 100 NY with 119, 48th NY with 112. The number of unknowns at Beaufort on their Civil War Monument 1870s is 174 unknowns. These unknowns collected from three Southern states. Sites include East Florida, Millen and Lawton, Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina. Two Confederate POW sites are included. Given the missing at Morris Island

2346-474: Was a world's fair held in Buffalo, New York , United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied 350 acres (0.55 sq mi) of land on the western edge of what is now Delaware Park , extending from Delaware Avenue to Elmwood Avenue and northward to Great Arrow Avenue. It is remembered today primarily for being the location of the assassination of United States President William McKinley at

2397-411: Was displayed at the fair, but doctors were reluctant to use it on McKinley to search for the bullet because they did not know what side effects it might have had on him. Also, the operating room at the exposition's emergency hospital did not have any electric lighting , even though the exteriors of many of the buildings were covered with thousands of light bulbs. Doctors used a pan to reflect sunlight onto

2448-456: Was distinctive from its former predecessors in that it was the first exposition to employ a central theme in its overall design and layout, employing extensive lighting on and about the buildings and other structures, along with color, and sculpture to obtain its harmony. It was also the first exposition with a global unifying theme that emphasized the concept of Pan-Americanism. The planning committee considered some twenty different locations for

2499-475: Was said to be realistic in its presentation. The exposition is often remembered because it was the location where United States President William McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist , Leon Czolgosz , at the Temple of Music on September 6, 1901. The President died eight days later on September 14 from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds. McKinley's last words, from a favorite hymn, were, "Nearer my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee". McKinley's presence at

2550-521: Was supported by defenses throughout Morris Island. The First Battle of Fort Wagner , occurred on July 11, 1863. Only 12 Confederate soldiers were killed, as opposed to 339 losses for the U.S. side. The Second Battle of Fort Wagner , a week later, is better known. It was the Union attack on July 18, 1863, led by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , one of the first major American military units made up of black soldiers. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw led

2601-549: Was the site of two American Civil War battles in the campaign known as Operations Against the Defenses of Charleston in 1863, in which United States forces took heavy casualties while trying to seize the fort. Fort Wagner measured 250 yards (230 m) by 100 yards (91 m), and spanned an area between the Atlantic on the east and an impassable swamp on the west. Its walls, composed of sand and earth, rose 30 feet (9.1 m) above

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