Focus: the 20th Maine
Perhaps the most famous monument on the battlefield, due in large part to the movie Gettysburg, is the memorial to the 20th Maine.
Ironically, prior to the movie, this monument was probably not often visited. It is away from the other monuments on Little Round Top, down a short path, facing Big Round Top. There is a parking lot near it off of Wright Avenue, the “back way” up Little Round Top from near where the Taneytown Road intersects US route 15.
Pretty much everyone — even with a casual interest — knows about the 20th Maine. If you don’t, go rent Gettysburg (its not non-fiction, but its not that bad and you’ll get the gist). So I’ll just focus on the monument.
Placed in 1886 and dedicated on October 3d of that year, the monument is made of Hallowell granite. It stands 4′ by 5′4.” The monument marks the spot where Sgt. Andrew Tozier held the regimental colors. The monument lists the names of the 38 members of the regiment who died at Gettysburg.
There is a marker to company B located nearby.
Members of the 5th Corps, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade.
Commanded by Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain (1828-1914)
Lost 29 killed, 91 wounded, and 5 missing of 386 engaged
Monuments on Little Round Top (near Wright Avenue) and on Big Round Top
Tags: Big Round Top, Gettysburg, Little Round Top, Maine, Monument Project, V Corps
Jenny, my husband was one of those who knew about that monument decades before the movie. On one of our first Gettysburg visits together in the late 1970s, we took a brown bag lunch (against the rules) and sat near there while he told me the history. I’d been to G’burg often, living nearby, but I learned more from him that day than I’d known in all the years before. Thanks once again for helping me relive that day!
My favorite “monument” is the giant book at the High Water Mark. I saw it for the first time when I was about 9 and a voracious reader even then. Got a story for that? Or have you done it and I missed it?
Just haven’t gotten to the “High Water Mark” yet Joanne. I do have some information on it, (as well as the required images) and I will put it on the list to do. Jenny
Knew about Little Round Top from Ken Burns video and book. Book had pictures of the hill shortly after the battle. Movie attention didn’t hurt, though.