The architect of the statue base was Richard Morris Hunt, designer of prominent buildings including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island.

The sculpture is one of eighteen Civil War monuments in Washington, D.C., which were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

John A. Logan (1826–1886) was a native of Illinois who served as a second lieutenant in the Mexican–American War before studying at the University of Louisville to become a lawyer.

During the onset of the Civil War, Logan denounced what he considered extremists on both sides, but eventually volunteered to fight with the Union Army during the First Battle of Bull Run.

Logan played a significant role in the Union success at Vicksburg and served as that district's military governor.

The organization worked closely with the GAR and Logan's widow, Mary, to raise funds and lobby Congress for a monument.

[3][6] Upon its completion, a ceremony attended by King Umberto I of Italy and his wife, Queen Margherita, was held at the foundry where Simmons was honored with knighthood.

[6] The site chosen for the monument was the center of Iowa Circle, a park in an upscale neighborhood in the city's northwest quadrant.

Guests included President William McKinley, members of his cabinet, Senator Chauncey Depew, Senator Shelby Moore Cullom, General Grenville M. Dodge, Mary Logan and several members of the Logan family, representatives from the GAR and SAT, and Simmons.

The parade consisted of soldiers, marines, seamen from the nearby Navy Yard, the District of Columbia militia, and GAR and SAT veterans.

The statue unveiled today proclaims our country's appreciation of one of her heroic sons whose name is dear to the American people, the ideal volunteer soldier of two wars, the eminent senator and commoner, General John A.

About Lincoln cluster Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, McPherson, and a host of other heroes...Among those successful Americans in many lines who have won and held the public eye and died mourned by all their countrymen, there will live in the future in the history of the Republic no nobler figure, in peace and in war, in the pursuits of the citizen, and in work for the welfare of his fellow citizens, than General John A.

"[9] But in the weeks following the dedication ceremony, praise turned to criticism and reporters noted "absurdities" in the relief panels.

They noted that the relief depicting Logan gathered with other Civil War leaders plotting strategy together was very unlikely.

The second panel, depicting Logan being sworn in as senator by Vice President Chester A. Arthur was called "impossible" and "ridiculous."

Mary Logan initially took credit for selecting the scenes depicted in the reliefs and received all of the blame when the errors were discovered.

Around twenty oak trees are planted throughout the circle and a small, ornamental iron fence surrounds the statue base.

Logan is depicted with collar-length hair and a moustache, wearing his Civil War military uniform; a long belted jacket, boots, gloves, and a hat.

The relief on the west side of the base depicts Logan surrounded by fellow officers discussing the Civil War.

[6] The officers include Generals Francis Preston Blair Jr., Dodge, William Babcock Hazen, Mortimer Dormer Leggett, Joseph A. Mower, and Henry Warner Slocum, and Captain Bill Strong.

The relief on the east side of the base depicts Logan being sworn into office as a senator by Vice President Arthur.

[6] Other senators depicted in the relief include Roscoe Conkling, Cullom, William M. Evarts, John F. Miller, Oliver P. Morton, Allen G. Thurman, and Daniel W.