The MELVIN MEMORIAL is located at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts, a monument created by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon on behalf of James C. Melvin, who lost his three brothers during the Civil War. It was dedicated on 16 June 1909, the date when one of his brothers was killed in battle, and was attended by many survivors of the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery (his brothers' reg't), as well as the local GAR post members.
MOURNING VICTORY
As can be seen in the photos, there is major restoration work being done on this monument. The original dark slate tablets were inlaid with bronze muskets and wreaths, the inscriptions for each brother also made of the same material. From the one slate that was viewable when I visited, the bronze is heavily damaged and, hopefully, will be part of the restoration.
In memory of three brothers born in Concord
who as private soldiers gave their lives
in the war to save the country
This memorial is placed here by their surviving
brother, himself a private soldier in the same war
"I with uncovered head
salute the sacred dead
who went and who return not"
who as private soldiers gave their lives
in the war to save the country
This memorial is placed here by their surviving
brother, himself a private soldier in the same war
"I with uncovered head
salute the sacred dead
who went and who return not"
members of Company K First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery
| Asa Heald Melvin killed in battle before Petersburg, VA June 16, 1864 NOTE: the current tablet now has the date of birth date for Asa inscribed upon it, which was not on the original (photo is in the 1909 book). |  |
| John Heald Melvin died in a military hospital at Fort Albany, Virginia October 13, 1863 | Samuel Melvin taken prisoner at Harris's Farm, VA. May 19, 1864 died at Andersonville, GA. September 1864 |
Youngest brother James would also enlist, with Co. E, 6th Massachusetts Infantry, serving from 11 July 1864 to 27 Oct 1864. He died in 1915, and is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, in the plot of his parents. Only one of his 3 brothers, John H., would be returned home to be buried. Samuel lies in Andersonville National Cemetery, while the grave of brother Asa remains unknown. Father Asa Sr had died in 1858, and his wife Caroline died in February of 1863, before any of her children perished in the war.
 | Links: - The Melvin Memorial book - Find a Grave entry for father Asa Melvin, with links to his children's memorial pages. |
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