Gettysburg Sculptures

"Then"

Dedication of the United States Regulars Monument, May 30, 1909.

The flag drapped lower portion of the monument prior to the dedication is visible.

I have included three images taken on Memorial Day, May 30, 1909.

The three camera positions for the monument dedication images are noted above using colored arrows.

President William H. Taft and his daughter Helen in their carriage at the dedication of the U.S. Regulars Monument.

(Camera position: Red Arrow)

 Helen Taft would be given the honor of unveiling the monument by removing the American flags covering base of the memorial.

Modern "Now"  View

"Then"

A view looking north prior to the monument unveiling. The avenue shown in the image is now gone however its outline is still visible.

(Camera position: Yellow Arrow)

Modern "Now" View

The original avenue can be seen by the rise in the ground and dark color of the grass.

The monument on the left was dedicated to the 19th Maine Infantry Regiment in 1889.  

"Then"

A view looking south after the unveiling. The speakers stand where President Taft would deliver his dedication address can be seen in center of the image.

(Camera position: Light Blue Arrow)

Modern "Now" View 

The western walkway from the monument ends at the original location of the now gone avenue.

Aerial view of the U.S. Regulars Monument c1924. At the time of the dedication there was a full walkway around the perimeter of the monument. This feature is now gone. I am sure the expense to maintain brought about its removal. It shoud be put back in place.

Walkway is visible at the dedication of the monument.

The aerial view also shows the avenue (now gone) west of the Regulars monument and its intersection with Hancock Avenue.

Newspapers from across the country would report on the dedication ceremony. Above is an image of the monument and Miss Helen Taft. Miss Taft would unveil the monument.

"Miss Taft pulled the silken cord which released the flags draped about the monument and in falling one of them caught on a bronze eagle decorating one of the inscribed tablets. A trooper gave the flag a tug but it could not be released until quite a hole had been torn in the folds of the stripes."

The eagle that the flag caught on is actually granite and not bronze as was reported. 

"All honor to the regular army of the United States. Never in its history has it had a stain upon its escutcheon- - - It now becomes my pleasant duty to dedicate this monument to the memory of the regular army soldiers of the republic who gave up their lives at Gettysburg and who contributed in large degree to the victory of those fateful days in the country's history".

William H. Taft

Dedication of U.S. Regulars Monument

These series of period images were taken by photographer:

Samuel J. Boyd

216 Maple Street

Columbia, Pa.

Samuel Boyd would record another image while attending the dedication. The "Meade" statue dedicated in 1896.

"Then"

"Now"