Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Detroit

The Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, located in Detroit's Campus Martius Park, stands as a tribute to the approximately 90,000 Michigan troops who served in the Union forces during the Civil War, including the 14,823 who lost their lives.

In 1865, Governor Austin Blair established the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Association to raise funds for this commemorative structure. Renowned sculptor Randolph Rogers, known for his work on other Civil War monuments, was commissioned for the project. The monument was dedicated on April 9, 1872, with notable figures such as Generals George Armstrong Custer, Philip H. Sheridan, and Ambrose E. Burnside in attendance.

The monument features ascending octagonal sections with eagles symbolizing freedom and valor at the base. Above them, male figures represent the Navy, Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, while female allegories of Victory, History, Emancipation, and Union, added in 1881, appear higher up. At the top, an 11-foot figure of Michigan holds a sword and shield, symbolizing readiness for battle. Four plaques honor Union leaders Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and Farragut.

In 2005, after Campus Martius Park's renovation, the monument was rededicated. A time capsule was opened, and Michigan's war casualty list was updated to include losses up to April 2005, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The event featured Civil War reenactors, descendant organizations, city officials, the National Guard, and a choir performance.

Today, the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument remains a significant historical landmark in Detroit, honoring the state's Civil War veterans and serving as a reminder of their sacrifices.