Vandals toppled a 127-year-old bronze statue of a Civil War soldier, snapping off its head and musket.
Authorities believe the 1,000-pound statue on the Boston Common was pushed over Saturday night. The statue of the Union soldier is part of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the city’s most elaborate memorial.
The torso was found lying stomach down on the concrete near the base of the statue’s 12-foot pedestal. Parks officials recovered the soldier’s musket and its wide-eyed, mustachioed head, weighing more than 100 pounds. Officials think the figure can be repaired.
“Why do people do that?” Mayor Thomas Menino said Sunday. “I’m very disturbed. Things like this should not happen in the parks of our city.”
Police said Monday that no arrests have been made.
The toppled soldier was one of four figures representing the Army, Navy, peace and history that surround a 72-foot column with another statue, the “Genius of America,” on top.
The monument, intended to honor ordinary soldiers and sailors rather than military leaders, was erected in 1877.