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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

By Sheldon A. Munn

  The memorial conceived and sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, centers on a monument of two sculpted bronze figures atop a large granite base. The figures portray the historically verified encounter between Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead and Captain Henry Harrison Bingham. Bingham was an aide to Union Major General Winfield Scott Hancock on Cemetery Ridge during Pickett's charge of July 3rd, 1863. This attack became known throughout the world as the "High Tide of the Confederacy."

  Although Armistead and Hancock had been friends and fellow officers for many years, their political differences came between them at the outbreak of the Civil War. Armistead joined the newly formed Confederacy while Hancock chose to stay by the flag of the United States. Both officers served their countries well and were promoted into leadership positions.

  After the two men went their separate ways, it was twenty-seven months before they were to meet again. This meeting finally took place on the battlefield remembered forever as "Gettysburg." During Pickett's charge, both officers were wounded. Armistead was mortally wounded and Hancock received a wound from which he would be in hospital care for many months. Armistead's cries for help were heard by several officers nearby, and it was a fellow fraternity brother, Captain Bingham, who arrived and offered aid to his fallen comrade-in-arms.

  Armistead spoke of his close relationship with Hancock and he asked Captain Bingham to relay a message to his old friend. He entrusted his personal effects to the captain. Armistead died two days later at the George Spangler farm hospital site.

The Confederate officer on the memorial:

Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead

  Commander of Armistead's Brigade, Pickett's Division, Longstreet's Corp.

Born: February 18, 1817, New Bern, North Carolina.

Died: July 5th, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, age 46.

Buried: St. Paul's Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.

West Point: Attended (1833; 1834-36). Resigned.

Mason: He was a member of Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge #22, Alexandria, Virginia. Charter member of Union Lodge, #7, Fort Riley, Kansas.

The Union officer on the memorial:

Captain Henry Harrison Bingham

  Captain, Judge-Advocate of Hancock's Second Corps at Gettysburg.

Born: December 4, 1841, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Died: March 23, 1912. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, age 70.

Buried: North Laurel Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Graduated: Jefferson College, Washington, Pa.

Mason: Chartiers Lodge, #297, Canonsburg, Pa. He later transferred his membership to Union Lake Lodge, #121, in the Masonic Temple, in Philadelphia on September 10, 1868. He was a Life Member of the Lodge.