Gettysburg Sculptures

Skelly Post #9 was named in honor of Johnston Hastings "Jack" Skelly Jr. who died of wounds sustained at the Second Battle of Winchester in June, 1863. Skelly was born in Gettysburg and served in the 87th Pennsylvania Infantry.

The current GAR building was originally built in 1822 by people of the Methodist Episcopal faith, their second house of worship in Gettysburg. As membership grew the Methodist Church would be required to build yet a larger church which was completed in 1874.

No longer needing the smaller church building, the congregation would eventually sell the the building in March, 1880 to the trustees of Skelly Post #9 for $600.00.

The "Then and Now" photo.

On June 12th and 13th, 1912 the survivors of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment will hold their annual reunion in Gettysburg. This regiment fought in the Western Campaigns and was not at Gettysburg. Photographer William Tipton will capture this event on June 13, 1912.

The Morning Call a newspaper in Allentown Pa. reports on June 15, 1912 of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry reunion  at Gettysburg.

 When studying the above image its interesting to note many things have changed.

Although the detailed wood work looks like the original, an air vent has been added since 1912. Also, the lettering indicating "GAR Post No. 9" was originally "Post No. 9 GAR" and is now much lower on the building. 

At some point the cast iron lions along each side of the monument were moved. 

In the 1912 image the cast iron lying lion with its head turned can be seen with it's mane laying on its right paw on the right of the monument.

 That same cast iron lion (notice the mane) is now on the left side of the monument.

 A view of both cast iron lion statues and the addition of a brick walkway around the monument.

The Skelly Post Monument that stands in front of the GAR Building was dedicated on February 22, 1892 (Washington's Birthday).

The Philadelphia Inquier noted this in their March 5, 1892 paper.

The "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" Seal (see red arrow) would be added much later. 

The monument that stands in front of the GAR Hall dedicated in 1892 looks much like the monument dedicated in 1892 to the 2nd New York Cavalry Regiment. When taking actual measurements they are nearly identical. 

Did the members of the 2nd New York Cavalry wanting a more elaborate memorial donate or sell their original monument (now sitting in front of the Skelly Post) to the Skelly Post members?

When reviewing an enlargement, there appears to be 3 holes (inside the red triangle) in the front face of the monument. If this was the original monument for the 2nd New York Cavalry were these holes to be used to locate the bronze New York State Seal?

On the reverse of the GAR Post monument there are four areas where it appears there were holes that were filled. When measuring the vertical and horizontal dimensions the "holes" are 26" on center. 

A close-up of one of the filled holes.

On the reverse of the 2nd New York Cavalry Monument there is a bronze plaque. This plaque is secured with 4 bronze pins (only 2 shown).

These pins are also 26" on center in both vertical and horizontal directions. 

Again, this leads one to believe the GAR Post Monument was originally the 2nd New York Cavalry Monument. 

Also, approx. 20 yards north and west of the 2nd New York Cavalry Monument is a large granite base. This base is the same dimensionally as the one under the 2nd New York Cavalry Monument. My guess is this base was used for the original monument and discarded as the GAR Post Monument would not use the larger base.