Gettysburg Sculptures

Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg PA.

Cost: approx $75,000.00

Height: approx. 17'

Weight: approx. 7000 pounds (base and bronze monument)

 Brigadier General John Gibbon

Born: April 20, 1827 -  Died Feb. 6, 1896

Graduated United States Military Academy 1847

At Gettysburg Gibbon commanded the 2nd Division of the 2nd Corps and assumed temporary command of the 2nd Corps during the battle.

Wounded July 3rd, in the left arm and shoulder.

The likeness of Gibbon resembles one of the more famous images of the general. The sculptor included the small tie often worn by Generals in the Civil War.

 One of the little know facts of the Gibbon Monument is the base is over 100 years old. The granite base of the monument was originally located in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia Pa. It had been the base of another monument dedicated in the late 1800’s but had been heavily damaged. The idea was to have the Gibbon monument look as if it had been put in place in the late 1800's. With permission to use the old base approved, it was dismantled, cleaned and the 2^nd Corps trefoil (Corps badge of the Second Corps resembles a 3 leaf clover)was sand etched on the north and south sides of the monument. Bronze plaques that would share a brief summery of General Gibbon's life were cast and accommodations were made for these to be mounted on the older base. During the disassembly process of the base, the remains of a book were found inside the base. This book contained the names of soldiers at the Old Soldier Home also located in Philadelphia. The book was restored using technologies of the 1980’s and returned to the Museum of the Loyal Legion in Philadelphia. A time capsule that included the sculptors buisness card, photos of his children as well as photographs of the Gibbon statue were placed in the bottom of the base of the Gibbon statue in Gettysburg.

Sculptor Terry Jones has captured an almost living Gibbon. Note how it appears the General is about to walk off the base of the monument.

Gibbon's eye scans the northern battle line looking for the advancing southern troops. It appears as if a breeze has caught the corner of the coat, opening it.

The details in the bronze of Gibbon are wonderful. Note the "eagle" on the face of the buttons as well as the Officers Eagle Sword Belt Plate. Notice also the "pull" in the coat material at the button holes.

Gibbon holds a Model 1860 Staff and Field Officers Sword. One can almost see the knuckles of the hand through the gauntlet. It is this detail that makes these monuments works of art.  The M1860 Staff and Field Officers sword on the sculpture is a nearly perfect recreation of an original as shown above.

 The symbol of the 2nd Corps is a "trefoil" as shown above.