Gettysburg's Confederate and Union Brigade Tablets
Army of Northern Virginia Brigade Tablet
|
Army of the Potomac Brigade Tablet
|
The Gettysburg National Military Park in it's June 30, 1905 annul report indicated "It is also the intention of the Commission to erect tablets to mark headquarters, of the army corps, divisions, and brigades with suitable inscription." This was the beginning of the placement of brigade tablets on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
The intention of these tablets were to give visitors a brief explanation of a specific brigade's participation in the battle. These tablets are also positioned where the brigade would have been located at some point in the battle. The narrative displayed on the tablets were the work of the Gettysburg National Military Park supervisors as well as other participants of the battle.
The Confederate brigade tablets were the first to be placed. The commission's 1910 report indicated:
War Department
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg, Pa. August1, 1910
Contract No. 106, for furnishing and delivering, f. o. b. Gettysburg, 59 (eventually 64) granite markers for brigades, C. S. A., was awarded to the Van Arminge Granite Company, Boston, Mass., to be delivered on or before July 31, 1910. Twenty-four markers have been delivered at the close of this report.
The pedestals were medium red Maine granite. Round base, 34 1/2 inches diameter, 66 inches high; tablet 44 1/2 inches wide, 46 3/4 inches high; weight of pedestal, 3,000 pounds.
The bronze tablets were also purchased.
Contract No. 109, for furnishing and delivering, f. o. b. Gettysburg, 59 (eventually 64) bronze tablets for C. S. A. brigade markers, was awarded to Albert Russell & Sons Company, delivery to be completed on or before December 1, 1910.
The bronze tablets weigh 300 pounds.
In the Commission's August 1, 1911 report indicated that:
The Confederate brigade granite markers referred to in the report of 1910 have been completed; the last was finished December 19, 1910, making a total of 64 bronze tablets for the Confederate Army brigades.
One thing stands out, somehow someone miss ordered. The original order was for 59 and the park ended up installing 64.
Also noted in the Commission's 1911 report:
Bids for furnishing and delivering 74 brigade granite pedestals were received from 10 granite firms. All the bids were considered too high for the quality of granite offered, and by authority of the Assistant Secretary of War were rejected and new bids asked for on or before February 1, 1911. Ten granite firms replied. John Maxwell’s Sons, Philadelphia, Pa., were the lowest bidders, the quality of granite offered by them was acceptable, and they were given the contract. Ten pedestals have been delivered to this date. Bids for the bronze tablets to contain the legends as a part of the pedestals were advertised for. Three bronze firms replied. Albert Russell & Sons Co., Newburyport, Mass., being the lowest were given the contract. Twenty tablets have been delivered to this time.
The contract for building foundations and hauling and setting these pedestals was given to Charles Kappes, and that to mount and fasten the tablets to complete the markers to C.W. Ziegler & Co., Gettysburg, Pa. All the foundations were staked out under the direction of the commission and the work, which was begun in May, 1911, has been finished.
The weight and dimensions are as follows:
Pedestal, sea-green granite. Square base, 36 by 36 inches, rounded corners; height of pedestal, 64 inches over all; tablet, 44 1/2 inches wide, 47 1/2 inches high; weight of pedestal, 3,500 pounds; weight of tablet, 300 pounds.
In the Commission's July 1, 1912 report indicated that:
The granite firm of John Maxwell's Sons, of Philadelphia, was given the contract for 74 pedestals of sea-green granite, and Albert Russell's Sons Co., of Newburyport, Mass., was given the contract for 74 bronze tablets. All these have been delivered, the foundations were built, and the pedestals were hauled and mounted on the foundations. The bases of the monuments have been mounted and completed. They mark brigades of Infantry, Cavalry, and Engineers and battalions of the Artillery, Army of the Potomac, on the Gettysburg Infantry and Cavalry battlefields. They have been inspected and accepted by the commission.
John Maxwell's Sons, of Philadelphia would receive $188.00 ($5863.00 todays $) each for the sea-green pedestal and Charles Kappes of Gettysburg would receive $19.00 ($592.00 todays $) each for the foundation and placement of the pedestal.
Its interesting that when the park's Topographical Engineer, Emmor Cope designed the brigade tablets he had visual identification in mind. In a sea of monuments one can visually loose these relatively small markers. Today its easy to differentiate the CSA and US Brigade Tablets.
Confederate Brigade Tablets have a round
base and the bronze tablets have a flat top.
Union Brigade Tablets have a square
base and the bronze tablet has a radiused top.
The intention of these tablets were to give visitors a brief explanation of a specific brigade's participation in the battle. These tablets are also positioned where the brigade would have been located at some point in the battle. The narrative displayed on the tablets were the work of the Gettysburg National Military Park supervisors as well as other participants of the battle.
The Confederate brigade tablets were the first to be placed. The commission's 1910 report indicated:
War Department
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg, Pa. August1, 1910
Contract No. 106, for furnishing and delivering, f. o. b. Gettysburg, 59 (eventually 64) granite markers for brigades, C. S. A., was awarded to the Van Arminge Granite Company, Boston, Mass., to be delivered on or before July 31, 1910. Twenty-four markers have been delivered at the close of this report.
The pedestals were medium red Maine granite. Round base, 34 1/2 inches diameter, 66 inches high; tablet 44 1/2 inches wide, 46 3/4 inches high; weight of pedestal, 3,000 pounds.
The bronze tablets were also purchased.
Contract No. 109, for furnishing and delivering, f. o. b. Gettysburg, 59 (eventually 64) bronze tablets for C. S. A. brigade markers, was awarded to Albert Russell & Sons Company, delivery to be completed on or before December 1, 1910.
The bronze tablets weigh 300 pounds.
In the Commission's August 1, 1911 report indicated that:
The Confederate brigade granite markers referred to in the report of 1910 have been completed; the last was finished December 19, 1910, making a total of 64 bronze tablets for the Confederate Army brigades.
One thing stands out, somehow someone miss ordered. The original order was for 59 and the park ended up installing 64.
Also noted in the Commission's 1911 report:
Bids for furnishing and delivering 74 brigade granite pedestals were received from 10 granite firms. All the bids were considered too high for the quality of granite offered, and by authority of the Assistant Secretary of War were rejected and new bids asked for on or before February 1, 1911. Ten granite firms replied. John Maxwell’s Sons, Philadelphia, Pa., were the lowest bidders, the quality of granite offered by them was acceptable, and they were given the contract. Ten pedestals have been delivered to this date. Bids for the bronze tablets to contain the legends as a part of the pedestals were advertised for. Three bronze firms replied. Albert Russell & Sons Co., Newburyport, Mass., being the lowest were given the contract. Twenty tablets have been delivered to this time.
The contract for building foundations and hauling and setting these pedestals was given to Charles Kappes, and that to mount and fasten the tablets to complete the markers to C.W. Ziegler & Co., Gettysburg, Pa. All the foundations were staked out under the direction of the commission and the work, which was begun in May, 1911, has been finished.
The weight and dimensions are as follows:
Pedestal, sea-green granite. Square base, 36 by 36 inches, rounded corners; height of pedestal, 64 inches over all; tablet, 44 1/2 inches wide, 47 1/2 inches high; weight of pedestal, 3,500 pounds; weight of tablet, 300 pounds.
In the Commission's July 1, 1912 report indicated that:
The granite firm of John Maxwell's Sons, of Philadelphia, was given the contract for 74 pedestals of sea-green granite, and Albert Russell's Sons Co., of Newburyport, Mass., was given the contract for 74 bronze tablets. All these have been delivered, the foundations were built, and the pedestals were hauled and mounted on the foundations. The bases of the monuments have been mounted and completed. They mark brigades of Infantry, Cavalry, and Engineers and battalions of the Artillery, Army of the Potomac, on the Gettysburg Infantry and Cavalry battlefields. They have been inspected and accepted by the commission.
John Maxwell's Sons, of Philadelphia would receive $188.00 ($5863.00 todays $) each for the sea-green pedestal and Charles Kappes of Gettysburg would receive $19.00 ($592.00 todays $) each for the foundation and placement of the pedestal.
Its interesting that when the park's Topographical Engineer, Emmor Cope designed the brigade tablets he had visual identification in mind. In a sea of monuments one can visually loose these relatively small markers. Today its easy to differentiate the CSA and US Brigade Tablets.
Confederate Brigade Tablets have a round
base and the bronze tablets have a flat top.
Union Brigade Tablets have a square
base and the bronze tablet has a radiused top.
Confederate (CSA) Brigade Tablet
|
Northern (US) Brigade Tablet
|
When investigating the Brigade Tablets we found incised on the bottom of the tablets roman numerals. Without much doubt these were marked either at the foundry or prior to installation to indicate their intended location on the battlefield. We checked several and they were all marked and in position in sequential order. We found these on both Southern (shown) and Northern tablets.
Roman Numerals for 36
|
Roman Numerals for 34
|
Being bronze, the casting process that created these tablets could have quality issues. Porosity, caused by small voids, air or gas entrapped in the liquid bronze could cause small divots. More severe areas of porosity were repaired using round bronze plugs. Surfaces may not be smooth or uniform and several of the tablets appear to have been welded to correct other casting issues. When one looks at these tablets there are production issues, but keep in mind these were cast over 120 years ago and still accomplish the desired intention.
|
|
|
|
The tablets themselves were secured using steel studs that were inserted into the granite pedestal. These studs then passed thru holes drilled into the tablets where the studs were then hammered flat. Looking carefully at these tablets you can find the flattened mounting studs. The tablet below (Jenkin's Brigade) was struck by a car on East Cavalry Field. It was heavily damaged and is now in possession of the Gettysburg Monument Preservation Branch for repair.
The Monument Preservation Branch employees are hero's. They are responsible for maintaining the monuments and memorials on the battlefield. Pressure washing monuments, waxing the bronze details and equestrians, maintaining the structure stability is only a small portion of what this dedicated group does. We and future generations say Thank You!
|
|
|
|
O'Neal's Brigade tablet located on the east side of Oak Hill is marked number 1. This single Roman Numeral "1" can be found under the lower lip of the tablet.
O'Neals Brigade tablet
|
Roman Numeral #1 located on O'Neil's tablet.
|