The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-27
GETTYSBURG MONUMENTS.
Report of the New York Board of Commissioners.

The following report of the New York Board
of Commissioners on Gettysburg Monuments
has been kindly furnished US by the Engineer
of the Board, Gen. Charles K Graham:
OFFICE OF New York BOARD OF CoNl,nssIoSERs,1
GETTYSBURG MONUMENTS, =
NEW YORK Dec. 70, 1SSS.
Maj-Gen DANIEL z. SLCKLEs. L. S Army, Chair
man, New York Board of Commissioners, Get
tysburg Monuments.
GENERAL: have the honor to submit the follow
ing statement report of the executive duties OF
operations.
At the close of the year 1887 all of the sites for
monuments to the various organizations of in
tantry, cavalry and artillery from the state of New
York which participated in the great conflict at Get
tysburg in July, 1868 had been actually located
and some 80 of these plots had been surveyed
properly described and decided TO the New York
Commission by the Gettysburg Battlefield Me-
mortal Association Of Gettysburg, Pa; said plots
having been duly paid for this year, and the cost
thereof being $1,000. During the Winter OF 1857, 80
the granite obtained by the contractors who
had been awarded contracts for monuments in De
cember, 1887, and the work Of cutting the stone
Immediately commenced.
The various pieces of bronze which were to be
affixed and inserted upon the faces of the monu-
ments, were likewise nodded and cast Early in
April an assistant TO the Engineer proceeded to
Gettysburg to report relating 10 the state of the
weather, condition of roads etc, and about the 18th
OF April an Inspector was detailed to follow nm,
for the purpose of supervising the excavation for
the monuments which were ready for construc-
ton.
There were erected on the field during the month
OF May, 1855, monuments; June, p; July, D;
Ing the year 1855, Al 1857, 2 Total completed, 40.
As a general rule, each regimental or battery or
ganIzatIon has distinct monument, but in several
instances, at the request Of the organization this
custom has been deviated from and two or more
organizations have been permitted to form one
monumental organization, which represents all
the combined organizations.
Organizations of this character are those Of the
18th and l02d \. Y, the SD 69th and SSth n y.
lknOwn as the Irish Brigade and the 70h list I'D,
I'D and 74th n. Y ealled the Excelsior BFigade).
The greater number Of monuments on the field are
erected at cost 81 $50 .he limit of the State ap-
preparation for each organization but there are
quite number Of organizations which have added
materially 10 the State appropriation, and in this
way have been enabled TO secure most imposing
monuments; for instance, the monuments OF the
S4th n. Y. oath BrOoklyu} SD y. y. (9th " y. $.
NJ. j l23d n. Y, S0th n Y. Goth \. Y s. NJ j and
l26th N Y, of this character.
OF the monuments of Frederick & Field I cannot
speak too highly. They are varied in design OF
first quality Quincy granite substantial IN chaTac
ter, and of exquisite finish. The emblems and
bronze symbols placed thereon are arlistcaily
modelled and we'll cast, and the raised polished
granite letters which clOthe the principal inscrp-
tons are distinctly delineated that they may be
easily read at a distance of 100 yards.
The Smith Granite Co. have likewise some very
superior monuments on the field, as its granite is
of an unusually good color and fine grain admit
ting Of high finish
Prominent among these IS the superb shaft of the
1 y
blocks of red and blue granite rising from broad
platform IS feet square to hight of 81 feet its pin
nacie surmounted by fine bronze eagle; we'll
modelled and executed statue of soldier on the
monument of the S4th n. y. (I4th BroOkIynt and
the chaste monument of the I23d N Y. with life
size figure OF History recording the events OF this
battle.
The New England Monument Co. have erected
an imposing monument for the 9th Cav, with the
stone bas-reiief we'll executed.
NJ. J. POwerss Irish Brigade monument is the
most striking object the field, being a colossal
hghly-ornamental Celtic cross Of polished seTpen.
tine we'll studded with bronze arabesques and in
life-like representation of the seuth hound I o
the mastery chisel OF O'Donovan, which is finely
| polished
Thirty-two additional lots OF ground herein
named have been surveyed and plotted; to cover
1 the lots the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial As
| ISOLATION has permitted US to occupy before &C
I QUESTION, and to provide for the sites of mOnu
I ments which will be dedicated next Summer, viz
6th 6th. 9th and 10Th Cav; Batteries and K, lst l.
/ A; Sd lndpt battery; IGth, seth. 30-h, 4lst, 42d
43d 18th, 52d 59th ed 9Th 9th 9th, 6Sth; 10th
list, I'D, I'D, 7ith 18th, esd 18th and l02d 10th
l25th, 10th, l3itl', I36tllr 18th, l45th \. Y
These diagrams are now being plotted, and be
fore the close of the year the deeds Will be prepared
and the diagrams attached, so that a TeqEIsitlOr
/ may be drawn on the Comptroller for the pay.
ment of the land acquired, simultaneous with re
cordng the deed.
/ The State having authorized an appropriation o.
/ $4,000 for the erection of "a suitable memorial
structure TO the memory Of the officers and soldiers
of the State of New York who fell in the battle o
I Gettysburg much consideration has been giveI
| by the Commission to the subject Of its location
and during is frequent visits to the battlefield j
has inspected and passed upon all the sites which
| were judged to be desirable. In October last, at
/ regular meeting of the Commission at Gettysburg
the subject taken up officially and disposed of
Gen. Daniel E. Siekles, Chairman of the
| Board of Commissioners, wrote to the Secretary
| of War, requesting permission TO erect tht
monument of the State Of New York upon
-E,s- 10 - -,
| terry, which request was granted.
The site selected is one of the most eOmmandin,
in the environs of Gettysburg being in the southern
part of the National Cemetery proper, and adjaCeu
to the Taneytown road From its surface ex
tensive view may be had of the greater part Of thu
| second and third days battles, and if the monu
ment itself Is OF appropriate design and liberal il
execution it will be decidedly the most interestin!
artificial object the field surprising in ever!
other respect except in its hallowed associations
the far famed National Monument itself
All the avenues and roads which were men
toned IN my report of last year as contemplated
have been completed aud appropriated.
named the main avenues after the former com
mandeTs of corps, and the lesser roads after thos
of distinguished subordinate commanders.
In prosecuting our work on the battlefield "
have been materially assisted by the officers an
members of the Gettysburg Battlefield MemOFia
Association it's competent Superintendent, Serg
Wilson, and the now disabled but still capable ex
Superintendent Holzworth, who have always give
US iutmaton of contemplated roads and improve
ments, which - very desirable We should posses
in order to locate our monuments properly. i
disputed questions of locations. they have like
wise been serviceable. The advice of my able an
competent Assistant Mr.. Zabriskie has also bee
freely given TO those gentlemen in any eOnteu
plated improvements, and by this union of force
The work has progressed most tremendously. Tn
Inspector of this Commission, Capt. John Q. MOO
man, veteran Of the Excelsior Brigade. has COZ
tributed by his zeal, rigid adherence to temper
ance and other good qualities, in greatly faclitatin
the execution of our work, and in giving uselI
information TO the Visiting Committees from til
-NT-
field IN pursuit Of information.
Very respectfully, yours
CHARLES X. GRAHAM, Engineer
LIST OF MONUMENTS
erected by the state of New York to the warrior
! regiments of infantry cavalry and batteries of a
tillery on the battlefield of Gettysburg, Jan.
1889: