my favorite monument

I have featured images of it before, but it’s my birthday AND it’s my blog, so I can do as I like. :) Today’s monument is MY PERSONAL FAVORITE ON THE WHOLE FIELD.

My favorite monument on the Gettysburg battlefield is Henry K. Bush-Brown’s bronze equestrian of Union Left Wing Commander Major General John F. Reynolds. Reynolds, a native of nearby Lancaster, was killed leading his troops into battle early on July 1, 1863.

Writing of Reynolds, noted Gettysburg historian Edwin Coddington noted, “He was a first class fighting man, universally respected and admired. If the fates had decreed other than they did, he might have gone down in history as one of the greatest generals of the Civil War.”

The Reynolds Equestrian is located along US 30 (the Chambersburg Pike) near the bronze statue to General Buford, and the guns of Hall’s Second Maine Battery. Across the road is the McPherson Barn. The statue is among the first monuments to greet visitors coming from the west to the Gettysburg battlefield.

Born on September 21, 1820, John Fulton Reynolds grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, no more than 50 or so miles from where he would eventually meet his death in the battle of Gettysburg. He attended and graduated from West Point and served in a variety of antebellum positions.

On June 2, 1863, Reynolds met with President Abraham Lincoln in Washington to discuss General Hooker’s conduct in command at the battle of Chancellorsville. It is said that Lincoln offered Reynolds the command of the Army of the Potomac. Reynolds was both distinguished and aggressive, a quality usually lacking amongst the Union high command in the East. It is said Reynolds replied he would only accept the command if he were guaranteed not interfered with by the authorities in Washington. Lincoln could not promise this and Reynolds therefore refused to accept the prestigious command. When Lincoln asked who he should put in command, Reynolds named his old friend, George Gordon Meade. When Meade received the command, Reynolds graciously greeted his friend and congratulated him.

On June 25, Reynolds was assigned to command of the Left Wing of the Army of the Potomac, commanding three corps (the First, Third, and Eleventh).

On the morning of July 1, 1863, Reynolds galloped into the fields west of Gettysburg at the head of the First Corps.

Leading the “Iron Brigade” into action, Reynolds called “Forward men! Drive those fellows out of that woods. For God’s sake forward!” and turned in the saddle to look for more troops. At that moment he was shot behind the right ear and instantly killed. He was buried next to his parents in Lancaster.

As the tragically fated native son, Reynolds is the most honored officer on the Gettysburg battlefield. There is a stone that marks the location where he fell on the McPherson farm, the bronze equestrian that is the subject of this post, and two bronze standing sculptures — one on the Pennsylvania Monument, the other in the National Cemetery.

But it is the equestrian executed by Bush-Brown that I think captures Reynolds the best.

The monument was executed by a noted American artist named Henry Kirke Bush-Brown (1857-1903). Bush-Brown also created the equestrian statue of George Meade that sits on Cemetery Ridge near the Angle, as well as the bust of Lincoln on the Gettysburg Address Monument in the National Cemetery. He executed other sculptures and bronzes in his career as well.

The monument cost $27,666.00. It was paid for by the state of Pennsylvania.

Reynolds is mounted upon his black charger, stern eyes fixed ahead on the approaching enemy, hand on hip. His face is the picture of determination.

His horse is an engineering marvel — the entire 9,000 pound weight of the bronze horse and rider is balanced on just two hooves. Modeled off a Russian Arabian stallion owned by Bush-Brown, the animal exudes fire. Known as an excellent horseman, one can’t help but think Reynolds would be pleased to spend eternity atop such a fiery and beautiful steed.

A few more images of the monument from various angles: