Monumental … Themes.
Posted to the Project on 15 Dec 08
This page explores some of the themes you will find in the monuments on the Gettysburg Battlefield. Examples of each type of monument is included. This is not meant to feature ALL the monuments, just a few in each category. The purpose of this post is to explore some of the themes of the various monuments and memorials around the field.
If you are interested in some of the symbols present on the monuments, be sure to check out my prior posting about monumental symbolism.
In understanding the battlefields monuments, you should keep in mind a few things.
- Time period erected. The vast majority of the regimental monuments on the battlefield were erected in the period after the battle that lasted from roughly the mid-1880s to the very beginning of the 20th century. The Confederate monuments came later (erected between the 1960s and 1980s), and as such represent a different artistic style. You can see difference in artistic style between periods even in the Union monuments; compare the equestrian monuments to say Meade and Howard and note the “rounder” lines and more exaggerated emotion found in Howard’s monument which was erected roughly 40 years after Meade’s monument.
- Some monuments were built solely with private funds, others were built by state appropriation. Sometimes a regiment would combine the state appropriation with private funds. State appropriations varied from state to state.
- Elaborateness of monuments does not correlate to performance or how much fighting was suffered. Simple monuments may honor regiments that suffered terrible losses, whereas elaborate monuments sometimes honor regiments that fought little.
You will sometimes see that monuments of certain states look alike. For example, all of Wisconsin’s monuments were dedicated on “Wisconsin Day” (June 30, 1888) and were constructed of red granite. All New York and Pennsylvania monuments feature a bronze state seal. Many states had a single day where they dedicated all of their monuments. For example, Maine Day was October 3, 1889; September 14, 1887 was Ohio day. Many Pennsylvania monuments were dedicated on September 11, 1889. The “War Department” markers around the battlefield that denote brigades, division, and corps were erected from the late 1890s until about 1912.
With that introduction, let’s look at some of the “monumental themes” found on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
Death and Loss
As the casualty figures indicate, Gettysburg was an incredibly bloody battle. Monuments that explore the themes of death and loss are not rare on the Gettysburg battlefield, but they are more the exception than the rule. Included in this group are the featured 86th New York monument, New York State Monument, 74th Pennsylvania, 116th Pennsylvania, 67th New York, and the 9th Pennsylvania Reserves.
On the Confederate side, only the Louisana Monument really tries and represent loss and death. This monument features a fallen artilleryman. Although actual death isn’t a common theme in Confederate monuments, depicting soldiers who have been wounded or who have fallen is fairly common on Confederate monuments, much more so than on the Union monuments and memorials.
Reunion
The modern Maryland Monument features a comrade helping another comrade. It represents the dual nature Maryland played. Likewise, the Eternal Peace Light Monument obviously features the theme of reunion and the nation reunited.
Of the 19th century regimental monuments, the 66th New York (dedicated October 9, 1889) features a bronze relief entitled “Peace and Unity.” It depicts a Union and Confederate soldier shaking hands. Although this monument rests along the Auto Tour near the Loop and is presumably passed by thousands, it is a relatively non-descript monument and unfortunately, the plaque is located on the back of the monument, in the woods. It is therefore generally missed by all but the most dedicated buffs.
Honoring Fallen Comrades
Several monuments at Gettysburg honor fallen comrades. Among those that honor the sacrifice of enlisted men are the 143rd Pennsylvania (featured to the left) and 54th New York, and 13th Massachusetts.
Monuments that honor fallen officers associated with a regiment include the 83rd Pennsylvania, 124th New York, 4th Michigan, 140th New York, and 126th New York.
Officers who were not killed but are nonetheless honored on monuments include the 13th Vermont and the Second Vermont Brigade. The Virginia Monument prominently features General R.E. Lee.
Standing Soldier Sculptures
Many monuments feature soldiers in a simple standing pose. Among these are the 121st New York, 4th Ohio, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery C&F, 110th Pennsylvania, 13th Pennsylvania Reserves, and 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Classical Themes
One monument encompassing a classical Greek theme is that of the 123rd New York. It features Clio, muse of history.
Action!
Monuments that show soldiers engaged in some kind of action pose are very common at Gettysburg. Monuments that include bas reliefs of soldiers engaged in various combat positions include the 1st Maryland Eastern Shore, 3rd Michigan Infantry, 5th Michigan, and 13th New Jersey.
Several Confederate monuments are action oriented. Included in this group are the Mississippi Monument, the soldiers at the base of the Virginia monument, and the relief on the Arkansas Monument. The Tennessee monument with it’s charging soldiers and of course the lovely North Carolina Monument also depict action and combat. Unlike most of the Union scenes, many of the Confederate monuments also show a comrade falling or already wounded, such as on the Alabama Monument.
Some monuments include actual sculpted soldiers engaged in various action poses. Sometimes the soldiers are even depicted doing realistic things like hiding behind stonewalls. Included in this group are the 24th Michigan, 153rd Pennsylvania, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, 23rd Pennsylvania, 7th West Virginia, 145th Pennsylvania, 1st Minnesota, 14th Brooklyn, 96th Pennsylvania, 111th New York, 118th Pennsylvania, 40th New York, 114th Pennsylvania, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, 155th Pennsylvania, 11th Pennsylvania, 72nd Pennsylvania, and the 78th/102nd New York.
The Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy Monument is another example of an action monument, though of a more exaggerated style.
Cavalry action scenes are quite common. Included in this group are the 3rd Pennsylvania cavalry, 6th Ohio Cavalry, 5th New York Cavalry, and 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Artillery scenes are also occasionally seen in relief. For example, Batteries F&G of Pennsylvania on East Cemetery Hill or the 15th New York Artillery monument on the Wheatfield Road.
Many monuments also contain bronze plaques with various actual Gettysburg battle scenes depicted. These include the 62nd New York, 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, 1st New York Battery I, 12th New Jersey, 1st New York Battery K, and 149th New York. Relief of this nature are also to be found on the New York State monument and the Pennsylvania Monument.
Mascots and Nicknames
Regimental mascots are featured on a few monuments at Gettysburg. These include the owl of the 5th Ohio, rooster of the 7th Ohio, the wolfhound of the New York Irish Brigade, and of course Sallie of the 11th Pennsylvania.
Nicknames are also featured; for example a buck tail is tucked into the hat of the soldier on the 149th Pennsylvania Monument. The 105th Pennsylvania features a wildcat; this was known as the “Wildcat Regiment.” The 118th Pennsylvania features a corn stalk on one side of the monument; this regiment was known as the “Corn Exchange” regiment.
Although not a regimental mascot, the Vermont Brigade is notable for it’s roaring lion.
Columns and Castles
Monuments shaped like columns, castles, and turrets are found scattered through the battlefield. Among these column or turret shaped monuments are the New Jersey Brigade Monument, 1st New York Artillery Battery G, 12th Pennsylvania Reserves, 154th New York, 120th New York, 44th New York (the largest monument on the battlefield), 83rd New York, and 150th New York on Culp’s Hill.
Trees
There are several monuments shaped like trees around the battlefield. These include the 136th New York, 102nd Pennsylvania, and of course the 90th Pennsylvania.
Relatively Featureless - Simple Monuments
The monuments from Wisconsin, Connecticut, Indiana, and many others from a variety of states fit into this category. A typical example is pictured to the left; this is the monument to the 14th Indiana Regiment on East Cemetery Hill. Many monuments on the Gettysburg Battlefield are relatively simple monuments that are adorned only by perhaps a corps badge or perhaps some bronze soldier accoutrements.
Some common shapes you will see on the battlefield include obelisks. An obelisk is a tall, narrow, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramidal top. Examples of this type include the 4th Maine Monument and the 6th New Jersey. Pyramid shaped monuments are also occasionally seen on the battlefield. Included in this group are the 2nd New Hampshire and 18th Massachusetts.
Several Confederate monuments are of the simple geometric type. These include for example the Florida, Georgia, and Texas Monuments. South Carolina’s monument could also fit into this category. These monuments are simple pliniths, or utilize multiple pliniths.
It is also worth noting that is difficult to tell from just looking at a monument how much fighting the regiment engaged in at Gettysburg. Some regiments boast impressive monuments and suffered almost no casualties. Other regiments boast very simple monuments and were heavily engaged. As an example of this phenomenon compare the monument to the 19th Indiana which suffered 62% casualties on day one with the much more ornate and involved monument to the 121st New York on Little Round Top (it suffered two wounded).
The Oddities
Some monuments at Gettysburg are just odd and defy an easy categorization. In this group is the 5th New Hampshire, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves, 20th Massachusetts (”the puddingstone”), 142nd Pennsylvania cross, and the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves (aka “Stone Henge.”)
Corps Badges
Several monuments at Gettysburg strongly incorporate the unit’s corps badge. For example, the 3rd Maine, 84th Pennsylvania, and 99th Pennsylvania feature the Third Corps diamond. The 108th New York features the trefoil of the 2nd Corps. Also utilizing the Third Corps diamond, the 1st Massachusetts Monument has a similar type of design as the 108th — a large carved corps badge with a soldier in an action pose in relief. Fifth Corps Maltese Crosses abound, including on the 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves Monument. 12th Corps stars can be seen on the 128th Pennsylvania Monument, for example. 11th Corps crescent moons, 1st corps circles, and 6th corps Greek crosses also dot the field.
Weaponry
Monuments shaped like various implements of death are fairly common on the battlefield. Examples of monuments shaped like the familiar Civil War “minie ball” include the 82nd Illinois, 12th Massachusetts, and to the most extreme, 7th New Jersey.
Cannons balls and shells are common features on artillery monuments. Included in this group are the 1st Ohio Battery I and 121st Pennsylvania (a relief of an exploding shell). A typical example of the use of cannon balls on a monument can be found on the 3rd Massachusetts Artillery monument. Many artillery monuments feature such cannon balls.
Actual cannons or tubes are featured in relief or included in several monuments, including the 1st New York Battery I, Cooper’s Battery B, and 1st New York Battery M on Power’s Hill.
A monument carved to look like a cannon is Batteries C & F, 1st Pennsylvania at the Peach Orchard. The 5th New York Artillery monument in the National Cemetery features a miniature model cannon!
Accouterments
Many monuments at Gettysburg, even of the relatively simple variety, are adorned with various accouterments that a soldier would use in his day to day life. These may be carved out of granite or created from bronze. Examples of such accouterments include kepis, knapsacks, cartridge boxes, drums, rifles, canteens, etc. Examples abound, but a few include the 7th Michigan, 150th Pennsylvania, 56th Pennsylvania, 10th Massachusetts, and the most extreme example, the 88th Pennsylvania’s — the “let’s include EVERYTHING” we possibly carried monument!
In an effort to be different, the 32nd Massachusetts decided upon a soldier’s pup tent for it’s monument.
The 1st New Jersey Cavalry is an example of a monument that features the implements of the cavalry soldier.
Regimental Heritage
Some monuments reflect a regiment’s heritage. Included in this group are the 73rd New York, 12th Massachusetts, the New York Irish Brigade, 69th Pennsylvania, and the 42nd New York.
Eagles
Finally, many monuments feature or incoporate eagles as a main theme. A few examples of eagles on regimental monuments include the 115th Pennsylvania, New York Auxillary Monument, 111th Pennsylvania, Excelsior Brigade, 27th Connecticut, 88th Pennsylvania, and 29th Pennsylvania.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Hi Jenny,
Re the 5th N.H. monument — it’s a carin, see wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn
best,
Charly
December 17th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Thanks, Charly! I still would consider it “one of a kind” at Gettysburg. Don’t know of any other monument that fits the Carin theme.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
One thing I noticed for Antietam’s monuments, some states “standardized” their monuments. For example New Jersey, Maryland (both CS and US), and Indiana. I can’t say the same for Gettysburg. North Carolina, perhaps, but those are more recent additions.
Now I sort of like the way things were done for the Texas memorials. All look the same. Red granite shafts. Makes it easy to pick out of a lineup!
December 18th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I think the Georgia monuments at Gettysburg and Antietam are identical, too.
The monuments at Gettysburg are actually incredibly diverse. That’s one reason I enjoyed doing this so much. It was also interesting to learn a little about each regiment — where it came from, who commanded it.