Major General William Wells, (sculpture).

Major General William Wells, (sculpture).

Schweizer, J. Otto, 1863-1955, sculptor.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

Van Amringe Granite Company, contractor.

Major General William Wells, (sculpture).

Major General William Wells and Vermont Cavalry Monument, (sculpture).

ca. 1913. Dedicated May 30, 1914.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Relief: bronze; Base: stone boulder.

Sculpture: approx. 7 ft. x 3 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft.; Base: approx. 7 ft. 6 in. x 12 ft. 5 in. x 15 ft. 3 in.

J. Otto Schweizer, Sc. / Gorham Co. Founders (On plaque on right side of base:) WILLIAM WELLS/BREVET MAJOR GENERAL U.S. VOLS./1837-1892 (history of his military career) (On plaque on left side of base: description of events of July 3, 1863) signed Founder's mark appears.

A portrait of Major Wells striding forward as he leads the Second Battalion of the 1st Vermont Cavalry across Plum Run in their charge against Law's Brigade on the afternoon of July 3, 1863. His saber is raised in his proper right hand and his proper left hand rests on the handle of a sword that hangs on his proper left side. The sculpture is installed on a stone boulder adorned with a bronze relief depicting Major Wells' charge against Law's Brigade at 5:00 on the afternoon of July 3, 1863. On the far left of the relief, Major Wells can be seen brandishing a saber. On his right, a mortally wounded Brigadier General Elon Farnsworth falls from his horse. Behind Wells, Capt. Henry C. Parson is lying face down on his horse. To the right of Capt. Parsons is F. Stewart Stranahan, First Sergeant Troop L. with his saber raised.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Portrait male -- Wells, William -- Full length

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Occupation -- Military -- General

Portrait male -- Farnsworth, Elon -- Full length

Portrait male -- Parsons, Henry C. -- Full length

Portrait male -- Stranahan, F. Stewart -- Full length

State of Being -- Illness -- Wound

Architecture -- Military -- Battlefield

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Gettysburg

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Administered by Gettysburg National Military Park, 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

Located Gettysburg National Military Park, South of Confederate Avenue, near Plum Run, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

The monument is listed on the National Park Service, List of Classified Structures (referred to as MN 371) and is referenced in the Gettysburg National Military Park Archives, vol. 10.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Gettysburg Battlefield.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, PA5050, 1989.

Monumental News, Feb. 1913, pg. 126.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania survey, 1995.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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