Comments on: Gettysburg's Best and Worst Monuments http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:48:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: kbrown2225 http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-825096 kbrown2225 Fri, 23 Nov 2012 02:52:21 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-825096 I think you will find that the belief that a horse's hoof being off the ground symbolizes that the rider was wounded during the battle is nothing more than an urban myth. The lack of a pedestal may indicate the lies and propaganda promulgated by the Lost Cause after the war that unfairly made Longstreet a scapegoat for the loss of the Battle of Gettysburg. Although the Gary Casteel, the sculptor who created the Longstreet statue, states that he wanted the monument to be one in which he wanted “the general on the ground to be touched, loved and appreciated as one of us,” http://gettysburg150th.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/a-short-but-sweet-monument-to-longstreet/ I think you will find that the belief that a horse's hoof being off the ground symbolizes that the rider was wounded during the battle is nothing more than an urban myth.

The lack of a pedestal may indicate the lies and propaganda promulgated by the Lost Cause after the war that unfairly made Longstreet a scapegoat for the loss of the Battle of Gettysburg. Although the Gary Casteel, the sculptor who created the Longstreet statue, states that he wanted the monument to be one in which he wanted “the general on the ground to be touched, loved and appreciated as one of us,”

http://gettysburg150th.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/a-short-but-sweet-monument-to-longstreet/

]]> By: Donna Jebb http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-816573 Donna Jebb Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:44:35 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-816573 I was so disappointed when I did't see the beautiful Louisanna St. monument on your "best monument" list. I stand in awe everytime I have stood before it. It really tugs at your heartstrings. It was so beautifully done. I was so disappointed when I did't see the beautiful Louisanna St. monument on your "best monument" list. I stand in awe everytime I have stood before it. It really tugs at your heartstrings. It was so beautifully done.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-704377 Matthew Mon, 22 Aug 2011 03:37:55 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-704377 Chamberlain's fame has just as much to do with post war chest thumping on his part as it does battlefield acheivements. He does not need a statue there. Chamberlain's fame has just as much to do with post war chest thumping on his part as it does battlefield acheivements. He does not need a statue there.

]]> By: Jason Fulton http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-682547 Jason Fulton Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:12:23 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-682547 Having taken my 8th grade students to Gettysburg for 11 years now, my favorite monument has always been the North Carolina Monument on Seminary Ridge. The faces of the men show the both the pain and determination of the battle itself. My students each year comment on this monument for that reason. I am also fond of the 20th Maine's simple stone, as mentioned earlier. Being that they were fishermen and outdoorsmen, for the most part, this fits them well, and the would have appreciated it. Having taken my 8th grade students to Gettysburg for 11 years now, my favorite monument has always been the North Carolina Monument on Seminary Ridge. The faces of the men show the both the pain and determination of the battle itself. My students each year comment on this monument for that reason.

I am also fond of the 20th Maine's simple stone, as mentioned earlier. Being that they were fishermen and outdoorsmen, for the most part, this fits them well, and the would have appreciated it.

]]> By: Charles R. http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-579174 Charles R. Mon, 30 May 2011 20:39:17 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-579174 I guess beauty truly is in the eyes of the beholder! The truth of the matter is that it's much easier to be an art critic than it is to be an artist! Comparing the 7th New Jersey's Minie bullet monument to a nuclear warhead is "unfortunate?" I thought we studied history to prevent making the same mistakes, & we ought to at least make the attempt to see it through their eyes- the sense of the message they were trying to impart to future generations with their monuments. I've seen the same monument at Antietam & Vicksburg, & I'll go out of my way to photograph them again! However, I don't think I'd care for a .223 cartridge as a monument to the Army I served in- not quite as aesthetic as a Minie in my opinion! I guess beauty truly is in the eyes of the beholder! The truth of the matter is that it's much easier to be an art critic than it is to be an artist!
Comparing the 7th New Jersey's Minie bullet monument to a nuclear warhead is "unfortunate?" I thought we studied history to prevent making the same mistakes, & we ought to at least make the attempt
to see it through their eyes- the sense of the message they were trying to impart to future generations with their monuments.
I've seen the same monument at Antietam & Vicksburg, & I'll go out of my way to photograph them again! However, I don't think I'd care for a .223 cartridge as a monument to the Army I served in- not quite as aesthetic as a Minie in my opinion!

]]> By: B http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-561011 B Sun, 15 May 2011 04:34:23 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-561011 The history channel has become quite sad... I remember thinking the same thing...they sold out to reality tv... The history channel has become quite sad… I remember thinking the same thing…they sold out to reality tv…

]]> By: Lee McGinnis http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-536013 Lee McGinnis Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:13:55 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-536013 I noticed that when the author described the monument to the 21st PA Cavalry, she mentions something along the lines that becuase of the hack job of the horse's head, that another monument was dedicated a year late. The picture is of the newer monument and both of them include the same horse head. Slightly confused. Lee McGinnis I noticed that when the author described the monument to the 21st PA Cavalry, she mentions something along the lines that becuase of the hack job of the horse's head, that another monument was dedicated a year late. The picture is of the newer monument and both of them include the same horse head. Slightly confused.

Lee McGinnis

]]> By: Mary Banahan http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-528259 Mary Banahan Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:20:31 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-528259 There's no question that Buford's actions saved the day the fist day, especially after Reynolds gets killed. Buford never got the credit that he deserved. There's no question that Buford's actions saved the day the fist day, especially after Reynolds gets killed. Buford never got the credit that he deserved.

]]> By: Benjamin Buford Williams, II http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-527759 Benjamin Buford Williams, II Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:11:59 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-527759 I, too, am disappointed that this site does not appear to have a place to vote for my favorite Gettysburg monument. Ever since I learned that General John Buford is my first cousin (4 generations removed, of course), I have found myself gravitating to that monument. His swift action the morning before the troops of both sides first engaged allowed the Union army to "retreat" to the best defensive ground, and, to my mind, dictated the ultimate result of the battle. The fact that Gen. Buford would die of his wounds within six months of Gettysburg might have meant that his deeds that day would go unsung, but the veterans who survived his passiing worked hard to raise funds to erect the statute in his honor. I have a framed picture of his Gettysburg monument in my study, and it always makes me proud to be related to such an incredible individual. The men of both sides who fought and died there (one of my wife's great-great uncles died on the second day of the battle) are a sterling reminder of the importance of duty, honor, and sacrifice. I, too, am disappointed that this site does not appear to have a place to vote for my favorite Gettysburg monument. Ever since I learned that General John Buford is my first cousin (4 generations removed, of course), I have found myself gravitating to that monument. His swift action the morning before the troops of both sides first engaged allowed the Union army to "retreat" to the best defensive ground, and, to my mind, dictated the ultimate result of the battle. The fact that Gen. Buford would die of his wounds within six months of Gettysburg might have meant that his deeds that day would go unsung, but the veterans who survived his passiing worked hard to raise funds to erect the statute in his honor. I have a framed picture of his Gettysburg monument in my study, and it always makes me proud to be related to such an incredible individual. The men of both sides who fought and died there (one of my wife's great-great uncles died on the second day of the battle) are a sterling reminder of the importance of duty, honor, and sacrifice.

]]> By: David Burton http://www.historynet.com/gettysburgs-best-and-worst-monuments.htm#comment-527413 David Burton Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:01:22 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13683476#comment-527413 Anyone else confused by the editorial and the article, both of which say to come online and vote for my favorite monuments. I've yet to find a survey about that topic online! I do know that when I saw the topic of the article, I told my wife, "the Longstreet monument better be number 1 on the worst list." She agreed. It is stuck out of site on bare ground. Hands down the worst and obviously an afterthought. I do think it is an oversight that Chamberlain doesn't have a monument as well, but that is just me. Enjoyed the article. Not everyone has to agree but it is a good topic/idea. I just wish there was a survey online to gather input! Anyone else confused by the editorial and the article, both of which say to come online and vote for my favorite monuments. I've yet to find a survey about that topic online!

I do know that when I saw the topic of the article, I told my wife, "the Longstreet monument better be number 1 on the worst list." She agreed. It is stuck out of site on bare ground. Hands down the worst and obviously an afterthought. I do think it is an oversight that Chamberlain doesn't have a monument as well, but that is just me.

Enjoyed the article. Not everyone has to agree but it is a good topic/idea. I just wish there was a survey online to gather input!

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