Welcome to the Soldiers’ Monument, a significant historical site located in New Haven, Connecticut. This monument stands as a tribute to the 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, a unit primarily composed of Irish-Americans who served valiantly during the American Civil War. The monument was dedicated on August 3, 1903, during a national convention of the American-Irish Historical Society, marking a poignant moment in the remembrance of the sacrifices made by these soldiers.
The 9th Regiment was organized in New Haven and faced a challenging start. For two months, the regiment was ignored by authorities and endured near-starvation conditions before being shipped to Louisiana. Their service was marked by great adversity, as 200 of the 250 deaths in the regiment were due to ‘swamp fever’ in Baton Rouge and Vicksburg, rather than combat. These hardships underscore the often-overlooked struggles of Civil War soldiers.
The monument itself features a conventional figure of a soldier at parade rest, crafted from light tan/gray granite, and is situated on the site of the regiment’s original encampment. This location is significant as it ties back to the regiment’s early days and their subsequent journey.
The dedication ceremony in 1903 was a grand affair, featuring a parade of military units from across the state, decorations throughout the city, and a dinner hosted by the American-Irish Historical Society. Notable figures such as William McAdoo, then Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy, and Governor Abiram Chamberlain of Connecticut, were present. They emphasized the importance of patriotic loyalty and the duty of citizens to serve their country.
The Soldiers’ Monument not only commemorates the specific contributions of the 9th Regiment but also highlights the broader participation of Irish-Americans in the Civil War, reflecting the diverse fabric of those who fought for the Union. Today, the monument stands as a reminder of the courage and resilience of these soldiers, and a testament to the historical significance of Irish-Americans in American history.
