Gettysburg Sculptures

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Gettysburg Sculptures

United States

Featured Monument:

Major General John Fulton Reynolds Portrait Statue

(Located in the National Cemetery, east side entrance, along the Baltimore Pike.)

Click here to see the Sculptor of the Reynolds Monument Page

Click the following links to see a short video on the Reynolds Statue in the National Cemetery.

Part 1: History of the Reynolds Monument

Part 2: Details of the Reynolds Monument

(hover over the lower right corner of photo and a magnifying glass icon will appear. Click on the icon to enlarge the photo)

c1890's Levi Mumper albumen photograph of the Reynolds monument in the National Cemetery.

The history of General Reynolds is well documented. He was born in Lancaster Pennsylvania on September 20th, 1820. One of nine children, he would be nominated to the United States Military Academy in 1837. Graduating in 1841, he would be ranked 26th of 50 cadets. Reynolds would be assigned to various posts during his pre-civil war career. His actions during the Mexican War would bring several brevet promotions. At the outbreak of the American Civil War Reynolds would be assigned to various positions. Promoted to brigadier general in August, 1861 Reynolds would gain command of a brigade in the Pennsylvania Reserve. During the fighting at Gaine's Mill Reynolds would be captured and then exchanged on August 15th, 1862. Reynolds would assume command of the Pennsylvania Reserve Division and make a gallant stand at Henry House Hill during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Reynolds would grab the flag of one of his regiments halting a southern attack. This act allowed the Union Army time to retreat in order.

Reynolds would miss the battle of Antietam but would be promoted to major general of volunteers on November 29, 1862. Reynolds would be given command of the 1st Corps and would be in the process of a 20 mile march when Lt. General "Stonewall" Jackson would strike the flank of the 11th Corps. The 1st Corps would see light casualties during Chancellorsville.

Reynolds would bring his 1st Corps north during Lee's invasion into Pennsylvania. The story of Reynolds and his actions at Gettysburg are well known. Space does not permit the details here. However, Reynolds would be killed at approx. 10:30 A.M. on the morning of July 1st, 1863 while placing the Iron Brigade into position. Reynolds remains now rest in Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster Pennsylvania.

General Reynolds has four different bronze monuments at Gettysburg as well as a granite monument.

The four bronze monuments are:

1. The bronze portrait statue located in the National Cemetery. (sculptor J.Q.A. Ward, our featured monument)

2. The bronze equestrian located along the Chambersburg Pike. (sculptor H.K. Bush-Brown)

3. The bronze circular bas-relief "the death of Reynolds" located on the New York State Monument in the National Cemetery. (sculptor Caspar Buberl)

4. The bronze portrait statue on the Pennsylvania State Memorial. (sculptor Lee Lawrie)

The granite monument located in "Reynolds Woods" marks the approx. location of Reynolds death on July 1st, 1863.

The monument that now stands in the National Cemetery was the first bronze portrait statue placed on the Gettysburg battlefield. Within months after Reynolds death, a committee was appointed to raise funds for the placement of a memorial where Reynolds fell. With contributions from both officers and enlisted men, nearly $5700.00 was raised for the memorial which when completed would cost just over $15,000. The bronze used for the Reynolds would be made of melted down cannons used during the Civil War. The monument stands on a granite base approx. 10 feet in height. The Reynolds, larger than life size, stands approx. 8 feet in height. A final tribute to a fallen hero!

Please review the photos at right in detail. Ward's statue of Reynolds is one of the most detailed and "natural" on the battlefield of Gettysburg.

A circa 1906 photo post card of the Reynolds. Notice the bushes shown in other images are not present in this view. An ornate urn can also be seen in the background.

The photos used on these pages are copyrighted by myself or others. Many come from my private collection. They can only be copied or reproduced with written permission or the clearly legible quotation "Copyright www.gettysburgsculptures.com and linked back to this web site. Please contact me by using the Contact Gettysburg Sculptures page on this site.

Thank you!

Gettysburg Sculptures

United States