Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds commanded the Left Wing and the First Corps, Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? 1898. Dedicated July 1, 1899.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: bronze; Base: red granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 15 ft.; Base: approx. 20 x 21 x 13 ft. (9,000 lbs.).
Who made it? Bush-Brown, Henry K., 1857-1935, sculptor. Bureau Brothers, founder.
What does it depict? An equestrian portrait of General John Fulton Reynolds, commander of the First Army Corps, as he was about to rush the left wing of the Army of the Potomac. He is depicted looking out to his proper left and pulling back on his horse’s reins with his proper left hand. The horse has stopped short in mid-stride with just two hoofs on the ground. The sculpture rests on a rectangular granite base adorned with bronze inscription plaques. The monument cost $27,666. The monument is something of a marvel in that all 9,000 pounds of the bronze sculpture rests only on two of the horses hooves.
What does it honor? General Reynolds was one of the first to die at Gettysburg and his monument is installed within 400 yards of the spot where he fell.
How is it inscribed? Major General John Fulton Reynolds United States Volunteers Born September 21, 1820 Killed July 1, 1863.
When was this photograph taken? December 9, 2011. The front of the monument is faced south. The horse is faced west. This photograph was taken of the southern side of the monument.
Where is it located? Located at Gettysburg National Military Park, North of Chambersburg Pike, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No. To access this monument when following the Auto Tour, make a left onto the Chambersburg Pike at its intersection with Reynolds Avenue. Make a left onto Meredith/Stone Avenue. Follow Meredith/Stone Avenue back to where it rejoins Reynolds Avenue and continue the Auto Tour.
Has this monument been moved or changed? Monument is located in its original location.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Wounding of General Reynolds
Photographed: August 17, 2008.
Location: Reynolds Woods, South Reynolds Avenue. Located East of Reynolds Ave, North side of junction with Meredith Avenue. View Monument Location Map.
Description: Erected by the State of Pennsylvania, the monument marks the spot where Major General John F. Reynolds was fatally struck by a Confederate ball on the morning of July 1, 1863. Square marker with pyramidal top and sloped bottom stands on a rough-hewn base. Dedicated July 1, 1886. Roach, designer. Smith Granite Company, fabricator. Marker is a granite shaft with pyramidal top on a rough hewn base, 2.7 foot square. Overall height is 8 feet. Inscriptions are raised and cut on the east and west faces.
See also: Portrait Statue in the National Cemetery
At Gettysburg
Commanded: First Corps, Army of the Potomac
General Information
Brief Biography: John Fulton Reynolds (September 20, 1820 – July 1, 1863) was a career United States Army officer and a general in the American Civil War. USMA 1841.
Equestrians at Gettysburg
George Meade :: John Reynolds :: Winfield Hancock :: John Sedgwick :: Oliver Howard :: Henry Slocum
5 Comments
Your post made me realize just how little I know about Civil War history. I’ll make a point of getting to know it a bit more (once nursing school is over!)
The monument rule of the horse with two hoofs on the ground indicates the General died during the civil war; three hoofs on the ground indicates the General was injured and all four hoofs on the ground indicates the General survived the civil war unscathed.
Thank you Melissa,for the info!
Melissa, It is a myth about the placement of the horses hoofs on the equestrian statues.
If you look at the Longstreet equestrian monument, you will notice that the horse looks too small for the general. This was intentional because originally the horse was supposed to be up on a pedestal and would have seemed normal from the ground.