High Water Mark Monument
Posted to the Project on 14 Jul 08
The “High Water Mark Monument” is located behind the famous clump of trees at the Angle. Appropriately, the monument was designed by John Bachelder — the man who was probably most important in establishing this area as of central importance to the battle.
Bachelder was the Superintendent of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. He played an important role in establishing and determining the location of many of the park’s monuments and tablets.
Bachelder is important to anyone studying the history of Gettysburg and the monumentation of the Park.
The monument consists of a large open book which lists the names of the Union and Confederate units that participated in the assault and repulse. The large book is propped open by cannon balls.
Two cannons with a stack of cannonballs piled next to them are also part of the memorial.
The High Water Mark Monument was dedicated on June 2, 1892. The $6,500.00 cost was borne by the 14 states listed on a plaque on the monument. The monument consists of Fox Island and Quincy granite and standard bronze.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I have stood in front of that book many times and looked out over that field. I never could have done it.
How are you doing? I hope at pray that you are getting better day by day.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Dick,
I don’t think I could have done it either. You know, I think it’s a little like chemo. I think when it’s unknown … anyone can plunge into the vast unknown once. But to keep going back, that’s what hard. That many of these soldiers made multiple charges, knowing what exactly was going to happen … That is what I simply can’t fathom. How did they do it, knowing what was going to happen?
I’ve been doing pretty well, thanks. :) My only “complaint” is I have this huge, mysterious bruise on my shin that refuses to heal. I thought it was a running injury, but now I am not so sure. I see my oncologist on the 28th, so if not gone by then I will let him puzzle over it. He’s a sharp guy, I need to keep him on his toes. Wouldn’t want him to get bored. haha.