Connecticut's Civil War Monuments

view large image

Cedar Hill Cemetery
453 Fairfield Avenue
Hartford, CT

Erected: ca.1875?
Type: Granite sarcophagus covered by the General Stedman's military accoutrements
Sculptor: John M. Moffit
Height: 4', 6"

GENL. GRIFFIN A. STEDMAN., Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, is significant historically because it honors Hartford's famous Civil War general. Griffin Alexander Stedman, Jr., was born in Hartford January 6, 1838, graduating from Trinity College in 1859. In 1861 he joined Connecticut's 14th Infantry Regiment, but almost immediately became a captain in the 5th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. He participated in many battle actions, receiving promotions at intervals, until fatally wounded August 5, 1864, at Petersburg. At the time of his death the general was 26 years old. His body was interred in New London, Connecticut, until removed to the Cedar Hill family plot May 20, 1875.

See also GRIFFIN A. STEDMAN MONUMENT, Barry Square, Hartford.

GENL. GRIFFIN A. STEDMAN. is significant artistically because it is the signed work of John M. Moffit. Born in England, John M. Moffit (1837-1887) came to America as a youth. Among his works as a sculptor are the figures that represent the four ages of man at the entrance to Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, the reredos for Packer Memorial Church, Brooklyn, and several altars for New York City churches. During the years 1878-1887, Moffit was in partnership with Alexander Doyle. The firm of Moffit & Doyle was the successful competitor for the commission to design and erect SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT, East Rock, New Haven, one of the two or three most ambitious Civil War monuments in the state.

While a date for the STEDMAN monument is not known, Cedar Hill Cemetery records indicate that Stedman was interred there May 20, 1875. It is possible, perhaps likely, that the monument was prepared for that occasion. Since Moffit died in 1887, the work probably was done sometime not earlier than 1875 and not later than 1887.

GENL. GRIFFIN A. STEDMAN. is located in the Stedman family plot at Cedar Hill, a 270-acre Picturesque cemetery on the southern edge of Hartford. A tall obelisk dominates the plot; the general's monument is between the obelisk (north of the obelisk) and the roadway.

The monument takes the shape of a sarcophagus supported by a base. There are brass handles in the forms of wreaths, two on each side and one on each end. The bronze wreath/handles are black. The general's accoutrements are spread over the top of the bier – coat, flag, kepi, belt, and sword. Lettering of battle names is interspersed in the folds of the flag and coat, as recorded below. Water accumulates in the folds, but does not seem to have harmed the granite.

East face of base, north end, incised caps:

    East face of base of casket, raised caps:

    (above, raised caps)

    (in folds of uniform and flag)

North base of casket:

West base of casket:

    Above, in folds:

David F. Ransom, "The East Rock Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument," The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin, 46(April 1981):45-60.