Smith’s 4th New York Battery at Devil’s Den. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
During the evening of February 16, 2006, three monuments were vandalized at Gettysburg National Military Park. The monuments to the 11th Massachusetts Infantry, the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry, and the 4th New York Independent Battery (Smith’s) Monument. Despite original projections that hoped to see these monuments restored, the 4th NY and the 11th MA have not been repaired.
Here is a view of Smith’s Battery taken in 1904, with the bronze statue of the artilleryman with rammer intact.
The bronze artilleryman was dragged approximately 165 feet from Devil’s Den to a spot near the “sharpshooter’s position.”. The head was also stolen. Back in July of 2009 it was reported that the National Park Service hoped to have the statue restored by Spring of 2010. This view was facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The rear of the monument. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
Another 1904 view, with the 99th Pennsylvania Monument visible in the center background, just to the right of the still-missing bronze figure.
The two guns representing Smith’s Battery, with Little Round Top in the background. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
A closeup of the state seal of New York on the front of the monument. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The vandals also hit two monuments along the Emmitsburg Road. Tuesday afternoon saw relatively clear skies, which allowed a clear view of the moon over Cemetery Ridge. The Pennsylvania State Memorial is visible in the right background. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The 11th Massachusetts Monument is on the far left of this image, as it appeared circa 1900, with sword and arm adorning the monument’s top.
The vandals shattered the arm and stole the sword. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The original damage for all three monuments was estimated at approximately $50,000 by the National Park Service, and the National Park Service told the Gettysburg Times that it would take “over a year” to complete restoration work. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The top section of the monument. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The statue atop the 114th Pennsylvania, in front of the Sherfy house, was also vandalized five years ago. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The bronze sculpture of the Zouave Infantryman was pulled from its pedestal and damaged the iron fence below. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
The National Park Service was able to restore the monument, returning the bronze statue to its pedestal. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.
Vandalism happens, and it will likely continue to happen. According to the National Park Service, responding and repairing the damage quickly is important to deterring vandals from committing future acts. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:10 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2011.