CW139 “Brigadier General Strong Vincent”

Strong Vincent (1837-1863) was originally a lawyer who became famous as a senior U.S. Army officer who fought and died at the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

At the beginning of the Civil war in 1861, he joined the Union Army as a First Lieutenant. Within months he had been promoted to Lieut. Colonel of the 83^rd Pennsylvania Infantry and led them through several battles.

By May 1863 he was promoted once more to command a brigade of the 1^st Division, Ⅴ Corps of The Army of the Potomac.

During the Battle of Gettysburg later that same year Strong Vincent moved his entire brigade up to Little Round Topto thwart a major Confederate advance.

While directing some of his troops from atop a large boulder on the right flank of his defense line a rebel bullet found its mark and mortally wounded him. Carried from the field to a nearby farmhouse this brave, young officer lingered on for 5 more days.

The commander of the army, Gen. George Mead promoted Vincent to Brigadier General even as he lay on his death bed.

Brigadier General Strong Vincent has been memorialized by a statue on the 83^rd Pennsylvania monument at Little Round Top on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Our King & Country figure is heavily influenced by the design of that statue.