Certainly one of the tallest
GAR memorials in Michigan
Pine Grove Park
Port Huron, St Clair County
"Dedicated to the sacred memory of
By their courage and sacrifice they gave to us
LEST WE FORGET
"
The Grand Army of The Republic
a united nation with all men free
This is a fine memorial. Erected in 1893 as a bequest by lumberman and politician, Jacob F. Batchelor. The mounument is about 60 feet tall and is visible throughout the large riverside park known as Pine Grove Park.
Batchelor was one of many town fathers that had great pride in Port Huron and did whatever they could to promote their
community. In 1865 he was among a group that offered to build St Clair County a new court house and jail, without
expense to the county - provided that the county seat be removed from the village of St Clair to Port Huron. It would
have been difficult for the county Board of Commissioners to say no to the offer, many of the citizens of St Clair County
were still bitterly divided over the conscription issues imposed by the Federal government for the Civil War ... it
may have seemed prudent to allow the county seat to be moved rather than further tax the already suffering citizens.
Some portions of the monument are obviously being refurbished with modern materials, but this does not detract from the overall sentiment held by Mr. Batchelor. This is probably the only GAR monument in Michigan to portray a Civil War sailor, flanked by naval cannons and complete with cutlass in hand. The soldier at the top of the monument, like many others, holds the flag standard in a protective embrace with one hand, while his other grasps the hilt of his sword, ready to defend again all that the flag represents.
All three of the scuplted figures sport handlebar moustaches, no doubt reflecting the hirsute fashion of the men that led America through the 'Gay Nineties.' The infantryman stands at rest, wearing his greatcoat and looking serene and confident that the battle is over.
The metal relief of the eagle and shield is really showing the ravages of industrial pollution. It will be difficult refurbish or reconstruct this part of the monument. The art of decorative metal casting has, for all practical purpose, been lost here in the USA. It's a shame, because this particular relief quite clearly shows a defiant eagle, standing behind the national shield and in front of crossed flags, with arrows ready to toss at any threat.
