Gettysburg Sculptures

Examining these photographs from April, 1960 some interesting features can be discovered.

After examining the Whitworth Cannons Eisenhower would be photographed crossing over the stone wall in front of the cannon to return to their waiting automobile.

 When comparing the 1960 image with the modern image we can see rocks in the stone fence that remain today in their same locations (marked "X") .

Also, we can estimate the location of Eisenhower's crossing of the stone fence after visiting the artillery pieces.

It is again obvious the heights of the stone fences on the battlefield have diminished over the years.

In the background of the modern image (circled in red) is the concrete platform and metal rod where the trail of the artillery carriage was secured.

This can be seen in the image below captured from a vintage postcard in this same area.

The concrete slab and metal triangle (see red circle) were used to secure the stack of shells that were previously located at this site.

So which barrel was Eisenhower and de Gaulle reviewing?

There are only two Whitworth barrels at Gettysburg. When reviewing the press photo of Eisenhower, I noticed a small light colored area located at the 9:00 oclock postion of where the barrel meets the trunions.

 Upon further investigation I found a metal bead at the 9:00 oclock location on the west Whitworth barrel (see photo below) currently on Oak Hill. This bead matched the light colored area in the original press photo.

There is a similar bead in the same 9:00 oclock location on the second Whitworth barrel (east) however It is much less defined and less likely to show up in a photograph.

My guess the western Whitworth barrel (see arrow) is the one Eisenhower and French president de Gaulle are examining in the original April, 1960 press photo.