The Vincent Collection

Colonel Strong Vincent is one of the important figures in the battle of Gettysburg. It was Vincent that brought four regiments to defend Little Round Top from the Confederates on July 2, 1863, the second day of the famous fight.

          His quick reaction to the summons by General G.K. Warren is the reason the Union army was able to defend the small hill that became so famous. Vincent could not have been faulted for deferring to his commanding officer instead of rushing off to Little Round Top. Checking with his boss first might have even been the right thing for Vincent to do. But what Vincent did saved the day for the Army of the Potomac.

          Vincent was wounded during the fighting that day and died a few days later. He is a hero.

Vincent's rock.

          What is odd about all this is that there are two memorials to Vincent on Little Round Top. One of those memorials is a few words chiseled in a rock, perhaps marking the exact spot where Vincent fell. The other memorial is a marker, just a few yards away from the big rock.

          The two images here, jointly titled, “The Vincent Collection” show both memorials. The rock is located on the top of Little Round Top, immediately next to what most visitors call the castle, a memorial to the 44^th New York regiment. The more formal marker is slightly down the hill, to the Union left of the castle, among the trees on the side of the hill.



Vincent's marker.

          These images were collected less than a week prior to the 149^th anniversary of Vincent’s last battle. Like a lot of markers at Gettysburg, Vincent’s collects personal memorials from visitors to the battlefield. There are times when a photographer needs to recognize such a moment and walk away.

          You see small flags and the like next to markers all around the battlefield. The 20^th Maine marker collects its share. Confederate markers also collect mementoes.

          Vincent’s markers are unique because of their proximity to each other. Then again, his actions on that day so long ago were among the most heroic in a terrible but important moment in our nation’s history.

          As we commemorate the anniversary of our nation’s birth and all the great things the United States stands for, let us not forget the soldiers and sailors who made those things possible during the dark days of our Civil War. Men like Vincent and Palmer did their duty and lost their lives in the process.

          Politicians make great decisions and get credit for it. But men like Vincent and Palmer end up paying the price. They deserve our lasting thanks.

          Just as I thank you for reading.