Gazing upon the Equestrian statue of George Henry Thomas you might think it’s just another monument. It’s not. It’s a story etched in bronze and granite. Today, I want to tell you about the Balance Statue.
The Balance Statue stands in Thomas Circle. It is at the intersection of 14th Street, M Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Vermont Avenue NW. This is not just a statue. It’s a testament to a Civil War hero. General George Henry Thomas.
Thomas was a Virginian. He chose to fight for the Union. He became a principal commander in the Western Theater. At the Battle of Chickamauga Thomas saved the Union Army. This earned him the nickname Rock of Chickamauga.
Veterans of the Army of the Cumberland wanted to honor him. They formed a society. They decided to erect a monument. It would be crafted from captured Confederate cannons. John Quincy Adams Ward was chosen to sculpt the statue. He began work in 1875.
The statue cost 40000 dollars. The Society of the Army of the Cumberland paid for it. Congress later allocated 25000 dollars for the pedestal and base. The final cost was only 20000 dollars. The contract specified that three of the horse’s feet must touch the ground. This was to avoid criticism similar to that of Andrew Jackson’s statue.
Thomas’s widow Frances helped Ward. She gave him photographs. She also lent him Thomas’s uniform and saddle. Ward finished the plaster model in 1879. He invited Thomas’s family and Society officers to view it. The reaction was positive.
Architects John L Smithmeyer and Paul J Pelz designed the base. They are known for designing the Thomas Jefferson Building and Healy Hall. The Bureau Brothers Foundry cast the sculpture. M K Chase provided the stonework.
The circle where the monument stands was once called Memorial Circle. Residents had planted memorial trees. The name changed to Thomas Circle when the monument was installed.
The memorial was dedicated on November 19 1879. An estimated 50000 people attended. Harper’s Weekly called it the grandest ceremony ever held in the city. A two-mile military procession marched. It included veterans, army troops, marines, sailors and state troops. Generals McDowell, Sheridan and Sherman were present. Seven military bands provided music. President Rutherford B Hayes watched the procession from the White House. Buildings along the route were decorated with flags and streamers.
The ceremony began with a prayer. The songs Hail to the Chief and The Star-Spangled Banner were played. The statue was unveiled with a thirteen-gun salute. A chorus sang hymns. General Anson G McCook gave the dedication speech. Senator Stanley Matthews also spoke. President Hayes accepted the statue on behalf of the American people.
Art critics consider the Thomas monument one of the best equestrian statues in Washington DC. Kirk Savage said it enhanced the circle’s prestige. It also increased development in the area.
The monument is approximately 32 feet high. The statue itself is around 16 feet high. The bronze figures are about twice life-size. Thomas is depicted surveying a battlefield. He holds the reins of the horse. He also holds his hat and gloves. The horse’s mane and tail are blown by the wind.
The statue stands on an oval granite pedestal. It features Baroque scrolls. A bronze badge of the Army of the Cumberland is displayed. Inscriptions on the monument honor Thomas and the Society.
The Balance Statue, this equestrian sculpture is more than just art. It’s a story of courage, sacrifice, and remembrance. It’s a tribute to a man who helped save a nation. Take a moment to reflect on his legacy.