Gettysburg Sculptures
United States
Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial
by sculptor Ron Tunison of Cairo, New York
Located on the north west side of the Gettysburg National Cemetery annex, along the Emmitsburg Road - Steinwehr Ave.
(see Google map link at bottom of page)
Also see the Sculptor of the Friend to Friend Memorial Related Page Tab for additional info on this monument.
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Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial
Dedicated August 21st, 1993
At Gettysburg there are several monuments that depict or capture a "moment in time" an actual event that occurred during the battle. The Friend to Friend Memorial is one of those.
The memorial depicts the meeting of two Masons, General Lewis Armistead, a brigade commander in Pickett’s Division and union Captain Henry Bingham, staff aid to General Winfield Scott Hancock. Armistead would be wounded during the southern attack on July 3rd, 1863 after crossing the stone wall at the now famous “Angle.” (There is a small monument locating the area where Armistead would fall) Bingham, riding alongside the wounded General as he was being carried from the field, would stop and inquire who this wounded southern general was. Armistead himself responded, “General Armistead of the Confederate Army” and after some conversation with Bingham, the wounded southern General would pass several personal items to the Captain. These items included a watch and chain, spurs and a pocketbook. It was asked of Bingham to deliver these items to General Hancock of whom Armistead had a pre- war friendship.
(To read the entire story of the meeting of Armistead and Bingham and the friendship Armistead shared with Hancock please see Trust in God and Fear Nothing by Wayne E. Motts a fellow Battlefield Guide.)
A A wounded Armistead presents his watch and chain to Captain Bingham
The sculptor Tunison, has captured the emotion of the moment. The compassion on the face of Bingham and an almost regretful look on the face of General Armistead can be seen.
General Lewis A. Armistead would die on the morning of July 5th, 1863 at the George Spangler farm. His two wounds were not deemed fatal but his death would be due to shock, loss of blood and exhaustion.
Click on link below to find the location of this monument on the battlefield.
The sculptor along with capturing the emotion of the moment has not forgotten the details. Note the cannon ball in the foreground.
In the pocket of Captain Bingham can be seen his spectacles. The "trefoil" (Corps Badge of the 2nd Corps) can also be seen on his coat.
The sleeve braid of a Brigadier General is detailed on Armistead's coat.
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Gettysburg Sculptures
United States