Pennsylvania State Memorial Dedication and the General David M. Gregg Statue.
The Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg was dedicated September 27, 1910. Thousands of veterans and visitors would attend the dedication ceremonies. The Philadelphia Inquirer would write "Standing in a blistering summer sun during the early part of the ceremonies and through a drenching rain toward the end, 20,000 Pennsylvanians, one-forth of them Civil War veterans today attended the impressive dedication of the State memorial to her men who fought at Gettysburg forty seven years ago". The dedication ceremonies included speeches from prominent officers and politicians. This included Major-General David McMurtie Gregg who spoke of the cavalry operations during the Gettysburg campaign. While General Gregg was speaking a heavy rain had moved in. The Altoona Tribute would write, "When the rain started to fall, General Gregg was speaking. Saying that he did not wish to keep his comrades in the rain he was about to stop, when from all sides came cries of Go on, go on from the men who fought with him.....and while he finished the old soldiers stood in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious of their discomfort."
Gen Gregg's service at Gettysburg is well noted. Gregg's 2nd Division would play a major role not only in the pursuit of Confederate Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart during his Gettysburg campaign movements but his refusal of Stuart's July 3rd, 1863 flank attack on East Cavalry Field.
Gen Gregg's service at Gettysburg is well noted. Gregg's 2nd Division would play a major role not only in the pursuit of Confederate Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart during his Gettysburg campaign movements but his refusal of Stuart's July 3rd, 1863 flank attack on East Cavalry Field.
Major General David M. Gregg bronze statue located on the Gettysburg Pennsylvania State Memorial.
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Major General David M. Gregg statue, J. Otto Schweizer sculptor.
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Of the twenty eight bronze statues honoring General officers* on the Gettysburg Battlefield, only one was viewed by its subject. This lone honor belongs to Major General David M. Gregg.
* Although not Major Generals, Lieutenant Steven Brown, 13th Vermont Infantry would see his bronze likeness on the regimental monument at Gettysburg. Albert Woolson the last surviving veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic would sit for sculptor Avard Fairbanks as he would sketch Woolson's portrait used for the GAR memorial at Gettysburg.
* Although not Major Generals, Lieutenant Steven Brown, 13th Vermont Infantry would see his bronze likeness on the regimental monument at Gettysburg. Albert Woolson the last surviving veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic would sit for sculptor Avard Fairbanks as he would sketch Woolson's portrait used for the GAR memorial at Gettysburg.
J. Otto Schweizer, sculptor of the Major General D. M. Gregg statue.
The bronze statue of General Gregg stands on the south-east side of the Pennsylvania State Memorial. The sculptor that modeled the "Gregg" was J. Otto Schweizer. On the Gettysburg battlefield, Schweizer would sculpt seven works, more than any other sculptor. Of Schweizer's seven works, three are present on the Pennsylvania State Memorial. Along with General Gregg are Abraham Lincoln** and General Alfred Pleasonton. As noted in the historical biography by Ernst Jockers: J. Otto Schweizer The Man and His Work it was noted, "Gregg who is old in age saw his statue in the artist's studio and who had graciously lent his mighty boots and saber for true-to-life representations, proudly praised his bronze double." This notation tells us General Gregg did indeed view and approve his bronze statue currently on the memorial.
The Pennsylvania State Memorial would be dedicated in September 1910 without the eight bronze statues in place. The statues after being cast by the Van Amringe Company, Boston Massachusetts would be placed on the memorial in late April, 1913. The intention was to have the statues in position prior to the great Gettysburg 50th anniversary reunion. General Gregg was to attend the 50th reunion but at the last minute his trip to Gettysburg was cancelled due to his poor health.
**A question that is often asked when viewing Lincoln on the front of the memorial is what document is he holding in his left hand? It was noted by Schweizer when he sculpted the Lincoln "It is nine feet high and represents the martyr President in the act of delivering his famous speech That this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom." The answer to this question is the Gettysburg Address.
**A question that is often asked when viewing Lincoln on the front of the memorial is what document is he holding in his left hand? It was noted by Schweizer when he sculpted the Lincoln "It is nine feet high and represents the martyr President in the act of delivering his famous speech That this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom." The answer to this question is the Gettysburg Address.
Visitors stand on the west side of the Pennsylvania State Memorial. The image was taken prior to late April 1913 as the bronze statues are not yet placed. Also note there is no walkway to and around the memorial.
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Early photo post card of the Pennsylvania State Memorial. The image must have been captured prior to the September 1910 dedication.
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 Advertising card from the Reading Railroad as they would provide a shuttle service to the dedication ceremonies.
As it was reported, nearly 5000 veterans would attend the September 1910 dedication of the Pennsylvania State Memorial. As visitors arrived in Gettysburg, the Reading Railway would provide transportation from Gettysburg Station to the memorial for a fee of 20 cents. A map of the Gettysburg Battlefield notes the Pennsylvania State Memorial (red circle) and the trolley tracks (red arrow) adjacent to the monument.
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Gettysburg National Military Park Map dated 1914. The trolley line can be seen in front of the memorial.
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Invitation card sent to Sergeant Wilfred McDonald of the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry.
The State of Pennsylvania would send each living Pennsylvania soldier that had participated in the Battle of Gettysburg an invitation to attend the dedication. These men along with others would also have their names inscribed on the memorial plaques that surround the memorial. Sergeant Wilfred McDonald was a Sergeant in Company H, 118th Pennsylvania Infantry and would enlist August 6, 1862. He would be mustered out of the service June 1, 1865.
Battlefield Guide Bob Gale shared with me that Wilfred McDonald was born 18 March, 1839 in Philadelphia Pa. and would join his comrades on the "other side" 21 December, 1931. He now rests in Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph Missouri.
Battlefield Guide Bob Gale shared with me that Wilfred McDonald was born 18 March, 1839 in Philadelphia Pa. and would join his comrades on the "other side" 21 December, 1931. He now rests in Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph Missouri.
Image of the plaque dedicated to the 118th PA Inf. located on the north side of the Pennsylvania State Memorial.
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Sergeant Wilfred McDonald name appears on the plaque as a member of Company "H."
Photographer William Tipton would record images of the individual plaques that surrounded the memorial. These images would then be sold to visitors and veterans attending the dedication ceremonies. This example is of the plaque erected for the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry. Sergeant Wilber McDonald would receive this image as a gift from fellow comrade Charles F. Dare, Hospital Steward also serving with the 118th PA Infantry. Both men's names appear on the memorial.
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As veterans and visitors attended the dedication ceremonies many would purchase souvenirs or mementos of their visit. Several of these are shown below.
Dedication badge with the memorial and dedication date noted on the ribbon. The badge measures 1-1/4" wide and 4-1/2" long.
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Another inexpensive souvenir is a flattened 1910 Lincoln penny with the memorial embossed on the face.
The date of this elongated 1910 Lincoln penny is just visible.
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A bronze commemorative coin was especially minted for the dedication event. This bronze medallion is 2-1/4" in diameter. On the front is the relief of the Pennsylvania State Memorial and on the obverse the likeness of Major General George G. Meade. The medallion was designed by J. Edouard Roine' a French sculptor. The medal if made of silver would sell for $5.00 and of bronze for $1.00.
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