Black Brigade Monument (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Dublin Core
Title
Black Brigade Monument (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Subject
Subject (Topic)
African Americans--History
Black Brigade of Cincinnati
Ohio--Cincinnati
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Subject (Name)
Dickson, William Martin, 1827-1889
Jones, Marshall P. H., 1826-1891
Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture
African Americans--History
Black Brigade of Cincinnati
Ohio--Cincinnati
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Subject (Name)
Dickson, William Martin, 1827-1889
Jones, Marshall P. H., 1826-1891
Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture
Description
This monument consists of three life-size bronze sculptural groupings, relief panels detailing the history of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati, and the 718 names of the soldiers of the Black Brigade etched in the pink granite beneath the bas-reliefs. The first sculptural group consists of a bronze wooden desk with an accompanying chair. Atop the desk is a copy of the Cincinnati Daily Gazette from September 2, 1862. The headline reads: “TO ARMS! Mayor George Hatch Calls for the Defense of Cincinnati!” Engraved on the wall behind this sculptural group are the words: “THE BLACK BRIGADE OF CINCINNATI.”
The second bronze sculptural group, Mothers and Children Anxiously Awaited Return of Their Loved Ones by Carolyn Manto, depicts a mother sitting on the ground with her left arm resting on her propped leg. She holds a young Black boy in her right arm. The boy looks at his mother as he points his right finger forward. The third bronze sculptural group features two men—Black Brigade member Marshall P.H. Jones in uniform and Colonel William M. Dickson. As they face each other, the two men’s hands overlap as Jones presents a ceremonial sword to the Colonel.
The second bronze sculptural group, Mothers and Children Anxiously Awaited Return of Their Loved Ones by Carolyn Manto, depicts a mother sitting on the ground with her left arm resting on her propped leg. She holds a young Black boy in her right arm. The boy looks at his mother as he points his right finger forward. The third bronze sculptural group features two men—Black Brigade member Marshall P.H. Jones in uniform and Colonel William M. Dickson. As they face each other, the two men’s hands overlap as Jones presents a ceremonial sword to the Colonel.
Creator
Hebenstreit, John, 1972-
Manto, Carolyn, 1979-
Manto, Carolyn, 1979-
Source
Photographs: Historical Marker Database
Date
September 9, 2012
Contributor
Design and Art: Jan Brown Checco, Erik Brown, Tyrone Williams, and Sasaki Associates. Sponsors: Honorable Mr. William Mallory Sr. and Cincinnati Park Board. Funding: Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr., US Bank Foundation, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Foundry: Casting Arts Technology
Rights
Cincinnati Parks Foundation, 421 Oak Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Visual Arts-Sculpture
Coverage
Smale Riverfront Park, 8 West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, United States
Has Part
Bronze plaque for Carolyn Manto statue:
Mothers and Children Anxiously Awaited the Return of Their Loved Ones
Sculpture by Carolyn Manto
Bronze plaque for John Hebenstreit statues:
Colonel William Dickson Receives a Sword from the Black Brigade
Sculpture by John Hebenstreit
Inscription on dedication plaque:
This monument to the Black Brigade of Cincinnati was conceived and realized by the following team:
Sponsors
Honorable William Mallory Sr.
Cincinnati Park Board
Design & Art Team
Jan Brown Checco, Erik Brown, John Hebenstreit, Carolyn Manto, Tyrone Williams and Sasaki Associates
Funding
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. and US Bank Foundation, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
"Cincinnati educator Peter Clark was commissioned by the Black Brigade to document their story. This made it clear to me that the Brigade wished for future generations to know about their contribution to the Defense of Cincinnati. I am pleased that this monument was created by the Cincinnati Park Board and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation." --William L. Mallory Sr., Former Majority Floor Leader Ohio House of Representatives
Inscriptions on eleven bronze plaques along the relief wall:
White Volunteers Enlist to Defend Cincinnati
Thousands of local men report to volunteer to help build and defend fortifications in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They are joined by twelve thousand volunteer militia from all over the state of Ohio. Asking if they can serve, Cincinnati's African American residents are told they are not welcome to participate in home defense. The word on the street: "Stay away! This is a white man's war."
Black Men are Taken from Their Homes
The locally organized Provost Guard decides to forcibly press black men into service by whatever means necessary. Hundreds of Cincinnati's black residents are dragged from their homes and marched off like felons, but to where and for what, none can tell. Families are left to wait and worry.
Hundreds of Black Men Await Their Fate on the Banks of the Ohio
Herded into mule pens, the prisoners seat themselves on the shaded side of the yard on blocks of wood and piled up bricks. William Homer, captain of the conscription squads, orders all to rise, marches them to the Ohio River northern banks, and orders them to squat. He tells the guard, “Shoot the first one who rises.”
Cincinnati Daily Gazette
Wednesday Morning, September 3, 1862
The Press Reports the Abuse of Black Men
Reading about the abuse of black men in the morning paper, Judge William M. Dickson goes to see General Wallace who made at the same moment, "…the order commanding him to take charge of the colored people in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, directing all officers to obey him accordingly." The Gazette alone protests these warrantless arrests of free black men, denied the dignity of voluntary service in defense of freedom.
Union General Lew Wallace Sends Dickson to Reverse the Action
Colonel Dickson rides directly to Fort Mitchel to organize the black laborers, and brutality gives way to fair treatment. The men are immediately returned to their homes to allay the fears of their families and to prepare themselves for voluntary service. Those who are willing are asked to report at five o'clock the next morning to return to work on the fortifications.
Black Men Muster into Service
On Friday morning over seven hundred men report for duty, three hundred more than had been previously abducted by the Provost Guard. Glowing with enthusiasm, they march cheerfully to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they are ready for anything.
Ready for Departure, the Volunteers Are Given a Flag
I have the kind permission of your commandant, Colonel Dickson, to hand you this national flag - to encourage and cheer you on to duty. The duty of the hour is work - hard, severe labor on the fortifications of the city. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. Men of the Black Brigade, rally around your flag! Assert your manhood, be loyal to duty, be obedient, hopeful, patient. Slavery will soon die; There will then be a land of the free - one destiny. - Captain James Lupton
The Works of the Black Brigade
"Their work has been entirely voluntary. Wherever they appear they are cheered by our troops. One of the companies is officered by white captains, the others by black volunteers. The latter proved so decidedly superior that both regiments will hereafter be commanded by officers of their own race." - from a letter in the Cincinnati Herald
The Best Defense: Be Prepared
Confederate troops arrived at the line of defense on September 11 They discovered the fortifications, and 70,000-armed defenders. Deciding not to attack, they withdrew on September 13. Returning Home in Glory The men with happy hearts, with the good will of soldier and citizen, returned to the city and were dismissed to their homes. And thus closed, in joy and happiness, a service that had been commenced with violence, in anxiety and gloom. --Colonel William Dickson
Presenting a Sword to Colonel Dickson
Sir, the members of the Black Brigade deeply thank you for the great interest you have taken in our welfare, for your collecting all of the working parties into one brigade, for the kindness you have manifested to us in these trying times. As a small expression of the high esteem of the members of the Black Brigade, they all, each and every one, present you with this sword, the emblem of protection, knowing that, whenever it is drawn, it will be drawn in favor of freedom. --Marshall P.H. Jones
Mothers and Children Anxiously Awaited the Return of Their Loved Ones
Sculpture by Carolyn Manto
Bronze plaque for John Hebenstreit statues:
Colonel William Dickson Receives a Sword from the Black Brigade
Sculpture by John Hebenstreit
Inscription on dedication plaque:
This monument to the Black Brigade of Cincinnati was conceived and realized by the following team:
Sponsors
Honorable William Mallory Sr.
Cincinnati Park Board
Design & Art Team
Jan Brown Checco, Erik Brown, John Hebenstreit, Carolyn Manto, Tyrone Williams and Sasaki Associates
Funding
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. and US Bank Foundation, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
"Cincinnati educator Peter Clark was commissioned by the Black Brigade to document their story. This made it clear to me that the Brigade wished for future generations to know about their contribution to the Defense of Cincinnati. I am pleased that this monument was created by the Cincinnati Park Board and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation." --William L. Mallory Sr., Former Majority Floor Leader Ohio House of Representatives
Inscriptions on eleven bronze plaques along the relief wall:
White Volunteers Enlist to Defend Cincinnati
Thousands of local men report to volunteer to help build and defend fortifications in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They are joined by twelve thousand volunteer militia from all over the state of Ohio. Asking if they can serve, Cincinnati's African American residents are told they are not welcome to participate in home defense. The word on the street: "Stay away! This is a white man's war."
Black Men are Taken from Their Homes
The locally organized Provost Guard decides to forcibly press black men into service by whatever means necessary. Hundreds of Cincinnati's black residents are dragged from their homes and marched off like felons, but to where and for what, none can tell. Families are left to wait and worry.
Hundreds of Black Men Await Their Fate on the Banks of the Ohio
Herded into mule pens, the prisoners seat themselves on the shaded side of the yard on blocks of wood and piled up bricks. William Homer, captain of the conscription squads, orders all to rise, marches them to the Ohio River northern banks, and orders them to squat. He tells the guard, “Shoot the first one who rises.”
Cincinnati Daily Gazette
Wednesday Morning, September 3, 1862
The Press Reports the Abuse of Black Men
Reading about the abuse of black men in the morning paper, Judge William M. Dickson goes to see General Wallace who made at the same moment, "…the order commanding him to take charge of the colored people in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, directing all officers to obey him accordingly." The Gazette alone protests these warrantless arrests of free black men, denied the dignity of voluntary service in defense of freedom.
Union General Lew Wallace Sends Dickson to Reverse the Action
Colonel Dickson rides directly to Fort Mitchel to organize the black laborers, and brutality gives way to fair treatment. The men are immediately returned to their homes to allay the fears of their families and to prepare themselves for voluntary service. Those who are willing are asked to report at five o'clock the next morning to return to work on the fortifications.
Black Men Muster into Service
On Friday morning over seven hundred men report for duty, three hundred more than had been previously abducted by the Provost Guard. Glowing with enthusiasm, they march cheerfully to their duty. Receiving the treatment of men, they are ready for anything.
Ready for Departure, the Volunteers Are Given a Flag
I have the kind permission of your commandant, Colonel Dickson, to hand you this national flag - to encourage and cheer you on to duty. The duty of the hour is work - hard, severe labor on the fortifications of the city. Let it be cheerfully undertaken. Men of the Black Brigade, rally around your flag! Assert your manhood, be loyal to duty, be obedient, hopeful, patient. Slavery will soon die; There will then be a land of the free - one destiny. - Captain James Lupton
The Works of the Black Brigade
"Their work has been entirely voluntary. Wherever they appear they are cheered by our troops. One of the companies is officered by white captains, the others by black volunteers. The latter proved so decidedly superior that both regiments will hereafter be commanded by officers of their own race." - from a letter in the Cincinnati Herald
The Best Defense: Be Prepared
Confederate troops arrived at the line of defense on September 11 They discovered the fortifications, and 70,000-armed defenders. Deciding not to attack, they withdrew on September 13. Returning Home in Glory The men with happy hearts, with the good will of soldier and citizen, returned to the city and were dismissed to their homes. And thus closed, in joy and happiness, a service that had been commenced with violence, in anxiety and gloom. --Colonel William Dickson
Presenting a Sword to Colonel Dickson
Sir, the members of the Black Brigade deeply thank you for the great interest you have taken in our welfare, for your collecting all of the working parties into one brigade, for the kindness you have manifested to us in these trying times. As a small expression of the high esteem of the members of the Black Brigade, they all, each and every one, present you with this sword, the emblem of protection, knowing that, whenever it is drawn, it will be drawn in favor of freedom. --Marshall P.H. Jones
Medium
Bronze
Bibliographic Citation
Cincinnati Parks Foundation. “Art in Your Parks: Black Brigade Monument- Cincinnati Parks Foundation.” April 6, 2021. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://cincinnatiparksfoundation.org/art-in-your-parks-black-brigade-monument/.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “The Black Brigade of Cincinnati. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://freedomcenter.org/black-brigade/.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “The Black Brigade of Cincinnati. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://freedomcenter.org/black-brigade/.
Rights Holder
Renée Ater
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Sculpture
Citation
Hebenstreit, John, 1972- Manto, Carolyn, 1979-, “Black Brigade Monument (Cincinnati, Ohio),” Contemporary Monuments to the Slave Past, accessed October 1, 2026, https://slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1265.