Brig. Gen. Gouverneur Kemble Warren was the Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Aug. 8, 1888.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: bronze; Base: stone boulder.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 9 ft.; Base: approx. W. 2 ft. x D. 2 ft.
Who made it? Gerhardt, Karl, 1853-1940, sculptor. Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company, founder.
What does it depict? A standing portrait of General Warren holding binoculars in his raised proper right hand. The sculpture rests on a boulder atop Little Round Top near the Union line later occupied by the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry. Members of Warren’s former command, the 5th New York Infantry, spearheaded the monument project. All of the money was privately raised. The boulder upon which the monument sits is all considered part of the memorial and visitors to the Park are forbidden to climb upon it (though many still do anyway). A bronze tablet was added by the War Department to prohibit visitors from climbing on the boulder in 1890. A bronze inscription tablet is located on the northwest face of the boulder and the word “Warren” is cut into the top of the boulder. Overall height is 8.4 feet. It was erected at the cost of $5,000.00.
What does it honor? General Warren is portrayed looking over the battlefield as he did on July 2, 1863 when he ordered the Union troops to defend Little Round Top from advancing Confederate troops.
How is it inscribed? LED TO THIS SPOT/BY HIS MILITARY SAGACITY ON JULY 2, 1863/GENERAL GOUVERNEUR KEMBLE WARREN/THEN CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC./DETECTED GENERAL HOOP’S FLANKING MOVEMENT/AND BY PROMPTLY ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITY/OF ORDERING TROOPS TO THIS PLACE, SAVED THE KEY/OF THE UNION POSITION./PROMOTED FOR GALLANT SERVICE/FROM THE COMMAND OF A REGIMENT IN 1861 THROUGH/SUCCESSIVE GRADES TO THE COMMAND OF THE 2ND ARMY/OF THE 5TH ARMY CORPS IN 1864./MAJOR GENERAL WARREN NEEDS NO EULOGY./HIS NAME IS ENSHRINED IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN./THIS STATUE/IS ERECTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE VETERAN/ORGANIZATION OF HIS OLD REGIMENT, THE 5TH NEW YORK/VOLS.DURYEE ZOUAVES IN MEMORY OF THEIR BELOVED COMMANDER./DEDICATED AUGUST 8TH 1888
When was this photograph taken? November 17, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Little Round Top, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Located on summit of Little Round Top.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
Commanded: Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac on Meade’s Staff.
General Information
Brief Biography: General Gouverneur Kemble Warren (January 8, 1830 – August 8, 1882) was a civil engineer and prominent general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He is best remembered for arranging the last-minute defense of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg and is often referred to as the “Hero of Little Round Top.”
Bronze Portraits at Gettysburg
Brig. Gen. Francis Barlow – Brig. Gen. John Buford – John Burns – Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford – Father William Corby – Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday – Brig. Gen. John Geary – Brig. Gen. John Gibbon – Brig. Gen. George S. Greene – Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays – Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys – Maj. Gen. John Reynolds – Brig. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren – Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth – Brig. Gen. Alexander Webb – Maj. William Wells
