American Civil War Monuments:
James Longstreet Equestrian Statue
West Confederate Avenue, Pitzer’s Woods
Gettysburg National Military Park
Photo and text by LCWRT Member Charles Moore
The monument was commissioned by the North Carolina Division
of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and sculpted by Gary Casteel. It was dedicated on July 3, 1998.
It is a bronze sculpture of
Gen. James Longstreet astride his horse Hero.
This is the only equestrian monument at Gettysburg which does not have a
pedestal. The sculptor, Gary Casteel,
states on his web site, “The monument was erected without a pedestal to become
not less heroic, but more approachable by those who visit Lee’s
lieutenant.” The tablet beside the
monument reads: “Lieutenant General
James Longstreet, Commanding First Corps Army of Northern Virginia. Soldiers of Gen. Longstreet’s command held
and protected the right wing of the army July 2-4, 1863. His First Corps attacked and dislodged Union
forces at the Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard, on July
2. As a portion of his infantry secured
the Peach Orchard, Gen. Longstreet advanced on horseback with them. The following day Gen. Longstreet was ordered
by Gen. Robert E. Lee to coordinate an attack on the Union line on Cemetery
Ridge. On July 3, “Longstreet’s Assault” was repulsed with great loss after
penetrating the enemy’s battle line on Cemetery Ridge. During the march back to Virginia, Gen.
Longstreet and his First Corps played a prominent role in protecting the
retreating army.
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