Gettysburg Monuments - The 13th New Jersey

Okay kids, buckle up. I am getting ready to fire up a project that has been simmering on the back burner for a minute: an in-depth look at Union commemoration on the Gettysburg battlefield. As I embark on this project, I am reminded of the spirit that seems to pervade the visual commemorative landscape: Union, but mostly free from the divisive issues of war. When I take my students there in spring for their yearly field trip, I often ask them to see if they could figure out what “Union” meant to Federal veterans - or what the war was all about - by reading the inscriptions or otherwise analyzing the monuments as they stand today. Honestly, there’s not a lot to work with here. But if we could only travel back in time to witness the dedications of these monuments, and the media coverage of these dedications…meant to commemorate a cause, we would quickly notice a number of things. First, the veterans and other officials were generally promoting reconciliation. But…(and here’s the kicker) they did so on very specific terms, always keen to remind anyone in attendance that their’s had been the righteous cause…often casting Rebels in a negative light. Take for example, the dedicatory remarks at the unveiling of the monument to the 13th New Jersey Infantry, given on July 1, 1887. Governor Robert Stockton Green noted, “this was a war of principle; it was a war of devotion to the country and for the perpetuity of Union. The end was accomplished, armed rebellion was put down…” Seems pretty straight ahead preservation of Union stuff, and from a war Democrat - that makes a lot of sense. But, that was not the only sentiment expressed on this day of dedication. F. H. Harris, president of the regiment’s Veteran Association, made these remarks: “This monument shall stand, among the many which are to be erected here, as a silent sentinel to indicate to future generations where soldiers of bravery and renown gave up their lives in defense of the country; to show where are the graves of true patriots who dared to die for the hopes of man and the redemption of a race from slavery.”

So it seems that this ceremony acknowledged the twin causes of Union and freedom…or rather, a singular cause defined by the interlocking of both Union and freedom, and by my estimation this sort of commemoration was more typical than not. Stick around…there’ll be lots more coming your way on these monuments - including the ones commemorating individuals, states, and regiments.

With compliments,

Keith