General Francis Barlow
The monument to General Francis C. Barlow is located on Barlow’s Knoll (known during the battle locally as Blocher’s Knoll). The monument is one of several bronze full length statues on the battlefield executed by sculptor Rhind. The memorial was erected by the state of New York.
At Gettysburg, Barlow — a Harvard educated attorney from Brooklyn — commanded the 1st Division of the 11th Corps. His division was overwhelmed (at least in part due to poor deployment) by Jubal Early’s men. Barlow was severely wounded and captured. He survived the wound to fight during the Overland Campaign in the Second Corps.
An oft told story relates Confederate General John B. Gordon as coming upon the wounded Barlow and offering him assistance. Gordon later embellished this story in his memoirs which were published after Barlow’s death.
After the War, Barlow returned to the practice of law. He was a founder of the American Bar Association and active in Republican politics.
Tags: Commemoratives, Gettysburg, Gettysburg Plain, Monument Project
Dear Jenny,
I’d be interested in learning your source for thinking Barlow’s division being poorly deployed at Gettysburg. I haven’t seen that elsewhere in a way that makes it sound like Barlow’s fault, although my reading is not exhaustive. Thomas Buell’s “Warrior Generals,” which focuses heavily on Barlow, blames Carl Schurz, acting corps commander (where was Howard??) who “unwisely ordered Barlow to put (von) Gilsa’s brigade in the front line and Ames’ brigade in reserve.”
Wishing,hoping, and praying for your continuing recovery, and wishing you a happy(ier) New Year
Pete Peterson