West Point Monument

Built in 1909 as a tribute to African American veterans of the Civil War and Spanish-American War, the West Point Monument grew from the efforts of James A. Fuller, a former slave, veteran of the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry, Norfolk’s first African American councilman, and a leader in establishing West Point, a section of Elmwood Cemetery, as a burial ground for Norfolk’s African American citizens. The cornerstone of the Soldier’s Monument was laid by William Fuller in 1908, and the monument was completed in 1920, when it became Virginia’s first memorial to African American soldiers. Its Civil War soldier figure represents Norfolk native Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, whose parents secured their freedom and left Norfolk for New Bedford, Massachusetts, with their son in 1855. After enlisting in the 54th Massachusetts in 1862, Carney fought in the July 18, 1863, attack on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, and when the color bearers were shot down, he saved the U.S. flag from capture despite severe wounds. Awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery, he was the first of sixteen African American soldiers to receive that honor during the Civil War. His stone figure stands as a tribute to the 100 African American veterans buried in West Point Cemetery. Carney was also one of about 200,000 African American soldiers and sailors who served the Union during the Civil War after the Militia Act of July 17, 1862, and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation opened military and naval service to African Americans, linking their service to both the Union war effort and the struggle for freedom and citizenship.

Norfolk, Virginia · United States