Monuments to Individuals at Antietam
The Private Soldier Monument, known as “Old Simon”, is located in Antietam National Cemetery. (National Cemetery tour map) It was dedicated on September 17, 1880.
The monument weighs 250 ton and stands over 44 feet high, with the statue itself over 21 feet. James G. Baterson created the statue and it was sculpted by James Pollette.
The statue was first shown in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It was then disassembled into pieces for its move to Sharpsburg. The monument traveled via Washington and then up the C&O canal. The top part of the statue took a small side trip in Washington when it fell into the Potomac.
“Old Simon”, the Private Soldier Monument at Antietam
From the monument
Not for themselves but for their country
September 17, 1862
Location of the monument
The monument is in the National Cemetery on the Antietam battlefield. (39°27’33.1″N 77°44’28.0″W)