Major William Wells

Located on South Confederate Avenue, this monument is a staute of Major William Wells, who won a Medal of Honor, for his role in the futile charge of Farnsworth on the afternoon of July 3, 1863.

Costing $6,000.00, the monument was sculpted by  J. Otto Schweizer.  Schweizer took care to use several of Wells’ possessions (including his uniform, hat, revolver, boots, and belt) to make the monument more authentic and true to life.  The larger-than-life memorial stands at 8′ high.  An exact replica of this monument was erected in Battery Park in Burlington, so pleased were the friends of Wells with the likeness.

The monument was also meant to honor the men of the 1st Vermont Cavalry who had participated in the charge.  To that end, an additional $2,000.00 was raised.

The bronze plaque’s faces are actually modeled after photographs of men who participated in the charge.  Wells is depicted out in front of the charge, with sword drawn.  Next to him, General Farnsworth falls mortally wounded.

(The First Vermont Cavalry has a monument located not far away from this which will be featured as a future monument study.)

The monument to Wells was dedicated on July 3, 1913.

Tags: Cavalry Corps, Commemoratives, Confederate Avenue, Gettysburg, Monument Project, south cavalry