Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial (Gettysburg)
Battlefield: Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
Location: National Cemetery Annex off Taneytown Road at the intersection with Steinwehr Avenue
Map Coordinates: +39° 49' 15.60", -77° 13' 54.48"
Monument Text
- "Union General Winfield Scott Hancock and Confederate General Lewis Addison Armistead were personal friends and members of the Masonic Fraternity."
- "Although they had served and fought side by side in the United States army prior to the Civil War, rmistead refused to raise his sword against his fellow Southerners and joined the Confederate Army in 1861."
- "Both Hancock and Armistead fought heroically in the previous twenty-seven months of the war. They were destine to meet at Gettysburg."
- "During Pickett's Charge, Armistead led his men gallantly, penetrating Hancock's line. Ironically, when Armistead was mortally wounded, Hancock was also wounded."
- "Depicted in this sculpture is Union Captain Henry Bingham, a Mason and staff assistant to General Hancock, himself wounded, rendering aid to the fallen Confederate General. Armistead is shown handing his watch and personal effects to be taken to his friend, Union General Hancock."
- "Hancock survive the war and died in 1886. Armistead died at Gettysburg July 5, 1863. Captain Bingham attained the rank of General and later served 32 years in the United States House of Representatives. He was known as the 'Father of the House.'"
- "Shown on the wall surrounding this monument are the names of the States whose soldiers fought at the Battle of Gettysburg."
- "This monument is presented by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and dedicated as a memorial to the Freemasons of the Union and the Confederacy. Their unique bonds of friendship enabled them to remain a brotherhood undivided, even as they fought in a divided nation, faithfully supporting thee respective governments under which they fought."
- "Dedicated August 21, 1993 by The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania And Masonic Jurisdiction There unto Belonging."
Monument Details
Artist: Tunison, Ron, sculptor; Tallix, founder
Dedicated: August 21, 1993
Dimensions: Sculpture: approx. 4 x 8 x 5 ft.; Base: approx. Diam. 15 ft.
Description: Kneeling Union officer is tending to a wounded Confederate officer. The wounded figure is reclining against a knapsack. The sculpture stands on a rectangular base, which in turn, stands on a circular base. There are benches around the monument and steps on each side leading to a walkway which surrounds the piece of three sides. The whole is surrounded by a semi-circular wall with the names of 29 states incised on each panel.
Remarks: Built by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, this monument commemorates Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead entrusting Union Captain Henry H. Bingham with his personal effects, most notably a pocket watch, on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, during Pickett's Charge.
Battlefield Location Map
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