General Henry Warner Slocum Statue

Who was this General Henry Warner Slocum? This statue, nestled in the heart of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, depicts him astride his horse, a silent sentinel from a bygone era. Henry Warner Slocum, a figure who walked these very streets after the Civil War, is immortalized here in bronze. He was born in 1826 in Delphi Falls, New York. His story is one of dedication to country and a journey from military fields to the halls of Congress. Before the cannons roared at Fort Sumter, Slocum already had a taste of military life, graduating from West Point and even serving in the Seminole Wars. However, he chose the law over the sword, building a life in Syracuse. But when the Civil War erupted, he answered the call again, this time as Colonel of the 27th New York Infantry. He rose through the ranks, eventually leading the XII Corps at the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. It is said that when General Meade was uncertain about the army’s next move, it was Slocum who urged him to “stay and fight it out.” After the war, he made Brooklyn his home, dedicating himself to serving his constituents in the United States House of Representatives. Though his name may not be as instantly recognizable as Grant or Lee, Slocum’s legacy lives on in this powerful statue, a testament to a life committed to duty, honor, and the enduring spirit of America.