Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-26
MONUMENTS AT GETTYSBURG.
Abstract of the Report of the Vermont
Commissioners.

The report of the commissioners on Yer
mont monuments at Gettysburg, appoint
ed under an act of the State Legislature of
1856, begins 10y citing the provisions of the
act which appropriates $500 FOR the
purchase of lands of especial interest,
construction of avenues and driveways,
rebuilding and repair of earth works, and
otherwise caring for and identifying the
Gettysburg battlefield grounds except
that "the necessary expenses incurred by
the commission in carrying out the pro-
visions Of the act" were to be paid out
of this appropriation. The act also appro-
priated the sum of 81, 500 "for the purpose
OF purchasing and erecting suitable mon
uments on or near such grounds TO com
memorate and perpetuate the conspicuous
valor and heroism of Vermont soldiers in
that decisive battle of the war of the re
bellion," The act placed these appropria-
tions under the control of commission,
"to consist of the governor of this State,
aud one member from each of the reli-
ments and companies OF sharp.shooters
present." and three members from the
State at large, all to be appointed by the
governor"
The commission met in Rutland on the
30uh day of December, and organized by
choosing Governor Ormsbee chairman and
Albert Clarke secretary.
The commission proceeded to Gettys-
burg on the Is h of April, and after thor
oughly examining the fed and the me
MORALS then erected there by other States,
they held session to consider what mon
uments should be erected. In view of
those already there, and OF the large ap
preparations made about that time by
her States, and particularly by New
York New Jersey and Pennsylvania some
of whose monuments would stand near
those of Vermont it became obvious to
the commission that the appropriation
was inadequate to give Vermont credltable
memorials Fourteen organizations from
this State participated in the battle, but
Il ey were so grouped that it was decided
that five monuments would suffice to
mark their positions The fund, however,
was Insufficient for five of equal size and
cost, and besides, the sizes OF the detach-
ments, the parts they took in the battle
and the centrality or remUteness of the To-
calty for observation, were all elements
that had to be considered
Finally it was voted that of the $4,000 APP
propriated for locations, $500 should be
paid to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memo
rial association, and OF the Et5OO appro-
priated TOR monuments $1,000 should be
put into a State monument, commemorate
ing all the Vermont troops that were on
the field, and that it should stand where
the second brigade fought because that Is
one of the most central and conspicuous
places on the field. AS the other troops
held positions somewhat distant from
this, it was voted TO give the first brigade
an additional memorial, on the ground
which it held, also separate memorials for
Co. +, first United states sharpShooters,
and Cos. r. and II, second United States
Sharps hooters, at cost or 500 each, ana a
/ memorial where the First Vermont cav
/ all T. 1ptrpprhp6
infantry, to cost $1,000.
a committee on design and committee
to fix upon the locations were appointed
and negotiations tor sites were had with
the directors of the Battlefield Memorial
association AS certain roads had to be
opened, however, this work had to be de
/ ferred and IN November, 1887, GoV. OrmS'
/ bee and Judge Neazry went to Gettys
| burg and complet q the arrangements.
. On the 18th day OF JANUARY, ISIS the sum
! OF $500 WAS paid to the sand association
aud Il receipt taken.
For design for the State monument
! the commission agreed upon a COrlnth!au
: column, aud selected asa model the monu
mtui to Lord NesJn, in Trafalgar square
/ London, omittine the statue On the toF
aud the lions grouped about the base
Artistically this monument is considered
complete without statue, but It's beauty
/ would be enhanced an its memorial CHAR
( aCttr Increased II II could be crowned WITT
d statue of the late Ma Ir- General George
j. Stanuar0. who commanded the second
brigade and was wounded III the repu st
OF PIcketts charge, near where this mon
ument will stand. The estimated cost OF
bronze statue. modelled by an artist OF
repute, executed in the best manner anC
placed upon the monument is $1,000, and The
commissioners earnestly recommend that
tEls sum be appropriated for that purpose
, Ii Is III contemplation TO erect near thl'
place an equestrian statue of the late
Ma jOr-G General Winfield :. Hancock. at :
cost OF some so 600, aud the state oil
Peunsylvan a has already made liberal
appropriation therefor. This seems to the
commission an additional reason why
Vermont should honor herself and heI
most distinguished soldier in the manner
proposed.
For monument to mark the position
held by the first brigade, a lion has beer
chosen and the figure, when executed II
the llghtest OF Vermont granite upon an
Inscribed pedestal, Will be one OF the mos
attractive works of art upon the field
The design selected for Co. +. shows i
monument a llttle more than 20 te high
surmuuuted by an eagle, and 1t Is being