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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, Armistead
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 destined 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 survived 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.
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