Gettysburg Sculptures

John L. Burns Bronze Statue

Sculptor: Albert Bureau

Dedicated: July 1st, 1903

Cast by Bureau Brothers Bronze Foundry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very little can be found in regards to the sculptor Albert Bureau. It is believed his father was Achaelle Bureau co-owner of the Bureau Brothers Foundry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Albert was born in Philadelphia around 1871. He would study in France and it was said his "penchant" was in sculpture. We can only guess that Albert was employed working for his family.

The newspaper "The News" published in Frederick, Maryland would write: "A bronze statue in honor of John Burns, the only citizen of Gettysburg who became a belligerent during the battle has just been erected....the figure is considered true to life by those that knew Burns". 

The newspaper also noted "The figure stands on a good foundation, a boulder brought from Round Top."

Bureau shows Burns with a clenched fist. A clenched fist in this case would indicate Burns unyieldingness to the Confederate invasion. He was determined to do his part to stop the invaders.

The well documented story of John Burns is he brought his own musket to the battle on July 1st, falling in with northern troops.

The clothing portrayed on the statue does not match that described by Major Thomas Chamberlin of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry. Chamberlin would later write of Burns apperance: "consisted of dark trousers and a waistcoat, a blue swallow tail coat with burnished brass buttons" .

The very detailed musket presented on the statue indicates is was a converted flintlock. It was common as the Civil War was beginning to take flintlock muskets and convert them to the more modern percussion style.

We're not sure what type of musket Burns used. One of the first photos taken of Burns shows a flintlock type rifle leaning against the wall of his home. The vast majority of post battle carte de visites (CDV) type photographs of Burns shows him holding a percussion type musket. 

The details of the shoe shows the heal has worn from use. The rolled cuff of the pants would indicate the pants were too long for Burns. Many post battle images of Burns shows the extra length of his pants.

As one views the monument you will see several "weep holes." The weep holes are added to allow water to drain from inside the statue.

The stamp of the Bureau Brothers Bronze Foundry that cast the statue is located on the base.