The Daniel Bean Statue in Brownfield, Maine
The Daniel Augustine Bean statue in Brownfield, Maine, erected in 1911, is a distinctive Civil War monument honoring a young local soldier rather than a military leader. Unlike typical war statues depicting aggression, it shows Bean as a calm, unarmed teenager raising his right hand, likely taking an oath. The monument was commissioned by his surviving friend, Elias P. Morton, who wanted to preserve Bean's memory after he died at 18 following battles near Richmond. Sculpted by Boston artist John A. Wilson from an old photograph, the statue captures Bean eternally as a youth.
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About Standing in Brownfield, Maine, since 1911, the Daniel Augustine Bean statue is a unique Civil War monument honoring not a general, but a local soldier. The bronze figure depicts a young, clean-shaven, unarmed youth raising his right hand, capturing a fresh-faced, rather than battle-hardened, expression while taking his oath. Most Civil War monuments are forged in, well, aggression—screaming, rifle-wielding, or dramatic death scenes. Daniel Bean, however, looks like he’s just politely asking for directions to the cafeteria, or perhaps pledging his allegiance to a rather intense game of high-stakes marbles. The statue’s existence is thanks to a touch of survivor’s guilt and a lot of loyalty. Daniel’s best friend, Elias P. Morton, enlisted alongside him.
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