The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, Friday, July 26, 1889 Vermont at Gettysburg 7/26/1889 Description of the Monument Erected by the State in Honor of her Heroes. On July 1st, the Vermont State monument at Gettysburg was set up on Hancock avenue, at the place where Stannard's brigade repulsed Pickett's division in July, 1863. The monument is constructed of Dummerston granite. The design is a Corinthian column, modeled after the Lord Nelson monument in Trafalgar square, London. the granite shaft is 50 feet high, and will be surmounted by a bronze stature of the late Gen. STANNARD. The bronze statue is now being cast, and will soon be ready to place on the imposing pedestal just erected at Gettysburg. The STANNARD statue was modeled by Karl GERHARDT of Hartford, Conn., and will cost about $5,000. The figure is grand in its proportions and outline and stands 11 feet high on a grading five feet high. The face, which is from a portrait, is shaded by a broad felt hat, the empty sleeve is pinned across the breast, the left leg, encased in heavy cavalry boots, is slightly advanced, and the left hand rests on the sword belt. The total hight of the monument is 66 feet, including the statue. The monument consists of four bases, a cap, a base, a spire, a round Corinthian fluted column and a Corinthian carved cap. The first base is 17 feet square and 1 foot 9 inches high. The second base is 12 feet square and 15 inches high. The third base is 10 feet and 2 inches square and 15 inches high. The fourth base is 9 feet square and 3 feet high. Above this comes the die, a cube 6 feet each way, that weighs 16 tons. The cap surmounting this is 7 feet and 6 inches square and 2 feet 11 1/2 inches high. Above this is the base of the column 5 feet and 4 inches square and 21 inches high. The spire, a fluted Corinthian column, is 3 feet and 10 inches in diameter and 29 feet high. the spire weighs 35 tons. Above the spire is a full Corinthian cap that is 4 feet and 3 inches square and 3 feet and 10 inches high. The monument has the following inscriptions: On the west side is the coat of arms of Vermont carved in lo bas-relief. Beneath are the words "Vermont in Honor of Her Sons Who Fought on This Field." On the north side is the inscription to the First Brigade. The lettering is as follows: " First Vermont Brigade, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Regiments, Brig. Gen. L. A. GRANT, commanding; Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps. The brigade reached the field near Little Round top in the afternoon of July, 2, 1863, by a forced march of 32 miles, and soon after was assigned to the left Union flank, where it held a line from the summit of Round Top to Taneytown road until the close of the battle." On the east side is the record of the Second Brigade, as follows: "Second Vermont Brigade, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Regiments, Brig. Gen. George J. STANNARD commanding; Third Brigade, Third Division, First Corps. The brigade arrived on Cemetery Hill, July 1, 1863. The 12th and 15 Regiments were detached to guard the corps trains. About sunset, July 2, the 13th, 14th and 16th moved to this part of the field, retook Battery C, Fifth United States, and re-established the Union line. July 3d, these regiments held the front line in advance of this spot. In the crisis of the day the Thirteenth and Sixteenth changed front and advanced 200 yards to the right assaulted the flank of Pickett's Division. The Sixteenth then moved back 400 yards to the left and charged the flank of WILCOX's and PERRY's Brigades. The Fourteenth supported these charges. The brigade captured three flags and many prisoners." On the south side are the inscriptions to the cavalry and sharpshooters, as follows: "First Vermont Cavalry Corps. This regiment fought STUART's Cavalry at Hanover, June 30th, 1863, opposed HAMPTON's Cavalry at Hunterstown July 2, and charged through the First Texas Infantry and upon the line of LAW's brigade at the foot of Round Top July 3. "Vermont Sharpshooters, Company F, First United States Sharpshooters, Companies E and H, Second united States Sharpshooters, Second Brigade, First Division, Third Corps. July 2, Company F aided in checking the advance of WILCOX's Brigade west of Seminary Ridge. Companies E and H resisted LAW's Brigade west of Devil's Den and upon the round tops. July 3 the three companies took part in the repulse of PICKETT's charge." The monument, as it stands today, is said to be the finest and most imposing memorial yet erected on the Gettysburg battlefield grounds. It is probable that the dedication will take place early in October. Transcribed by Ruth Barton -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT