Gettysburg Sculptures

13th Vermont Infantry Monument

Dedicated October 19, 1899

Total Cost: $3700.00

Bronze work cast by Gorham Mfg. Providence Rhode Island.

Granite work from Barre, Vermont.

The sculptor of the 13th Vermont monument, Frederick Moynihan was born on the Isle of Guernsey in 1843. Moynihan studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in London before immigrating to the United States. His studio at the time he sculpted the figure of Brown was located at 145 West 55th Street, New York, New York. The vast amount of Moynihan's works are Civil War monuments including 3 works at Gettysburg. 

When one reviews the bronze statue of Lieut. Brown it is one of the few monuments that depict and actual occurrence during the battle.  As the northern army was rapidly moving towards Gettysburg orders were issued that the men not stop or leave the column of march for any supplies or water. Observing that his men were suffering due to the lack of water, Lieut. Brown would leave the column to gather water. Approaching a guarded well, Brown would supply the sentry his name, rank and regiment and then fill canteens for his men. Upon hearing of this event and the disobeying of an order Lieut. Brown would be placed under arrest and his sword (an officer's symbol of authority) would be taken from him.  Brown would be allowed to remain with his men as they march northward. The pending battle taking precedence over his military court review. 

Lieut. Stephen Brown  

Leut. Brown will serve with the 13th Vermont during the fighting of July 2nd.  On July 3rd Brown would learn that the charges against him were dismissed. As the 13th Vermont was called into action to stop Pickett's Division and not having access to his sword, Brown will enter the battle carrying a simple camp hatchet.

During the fighting on July 3rd, Brown will capture a southern officer (supposedly a Virginian in Pickett's Division) and take his sword. See my Vermont Monument Georgia Belt Mystery page.



 The Vermont Monument Committee had requested a bronze statue of Brown holding the hatchet in his right hand, up as if he were ready to strike. The Commissioners of the Gettysburg Military Park (GMP) by a letter dated June 7, 1898 denied the request. The Commissioners indicated that "the hatchet incident is not important or remarkable enough to be the subject of a monumental inscription. On the contrary the carrying of the hatchet by the officer was because he had been deprived of his true military weapon, his sword, as a punishment for a serious military offense."

 The Vermont Committee would responded with a 13 page defense of the reasons behind their design.  However, the Commissioners of the GMP had made their decision. That decision is now displayed in bronze atop the 13th Vermont Infantry monument.

The hatchet would rest on the base of the memorial as Brown holds the captured Confederate belt and sword.

 Click on the link below to find the location of this monument on the battlefield.

 https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&mid=1kKOVub-Ui9tHP0UNaGaj1jY2na8Hj7rU&ll=39.80963090133415%2C-77.23645633666137&z=19

The final design of the monument included the hatchet resting to the right of Brown's feet.

There are 4 bronze tablets affixed to the lower pedestal of the monument giving details of the regiment at Gettysburg as well as the Lieut. Brown event.

Brown has a firm grasp of his captured Confederate sword. Note the holes in the scabbard rings where the original bronze belt hung.

Brown wears the standard infantry line officers uniform. A single row of buttons along the front of the coat with shoulder epaulettes of a 2nd Lieut.

 The bronze statue as well as the bronze tablets are marked having been cast by the Gorham Foundry.