High Water Mark of the Rebellion, Gettysburg, PA, 1942

Subjects: Civil War Monuments & Memorials
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1942 (Linen)

Back of High Water Mark of the Rebellion, Gettysburg, PA, 1942, Mr. and Mrs. A. Phelps, NY, USA, c. 1942 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

The High Water Mark of the Rebellion monument is a tall granite obelisk on the Gettysburg battlefield, with a Civil War field cannon and its limber in the foreground and flower beds along the base. The Memorial Association erected the memorial to Colonel John B. Bachelder's design and dedicated it in 1892. It marks the approximate point of the farthest Confederate advance during Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863. Bachelder called the spot where 'one of the most gallant charges recorded in history terminated' and 'the tide of success of the Confederacy turned.' A sender touring Pennsylvania reports visiting the Capitol at Harrisburg one day and the battlefield the next morning.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pencil

I am having a fine time so far. Went through the Capital building at Harrisburg yesterday and around the Gettysburg battlefield this morning. I hope you like the card. Aunt Gladney

PublisherDavid Blocher

HIGH WATER MARK OF THE REBELLION, GETTYSBURG, PA. HIGH-WATER MARK MONUMENT. This unique and artistic memorial was designed by the late Colonel Bachelder and erected by the Memorial Association. Speak- ing of the significance of its title, Colonel Bachelder said: "It was here that one of the most gallant charges recorded in history terminated, here that the tide of success of the Confederacy turned." From this point the defeated troops fell back and never again made a successful stand. This was indeed the High-Water Mark of the Rebellion.

PostmarkedGettysburg, PA, July 14, 1942, 12:00

Addressed to

Mr. and Mrs. A. Phelps

Morris, NY

Postcard record

Postmarked	July 14, 1942, 12:00, Gettysburg, PA
Publisher	David Blocher
Series	129676
Condition	Very good
Place addressed	Mr. and Mrs. A. Phelps, Morris, NY
Publisher	David Blocher, Gettysburg, PA
Stamp	1c Benjamin Franklin, green, issued 1930, perforated on all sides
Stamp	1c Benjamin Franklin, Scott #300, green, issued 1903
Stamp	1c Benjamin Franklin, green, perforated on all sides
Notes	White border; visible linen-texture screen in the sky and grass. Postmark: Gettysburg, PA, Jul 14, 1942 (circular date stamp with wavy killer bars). Divided-back white-border card with Tichnor Quality Views imprint, published by David Blocher, Gettysburg, PA; light soiling and edge wear, faint pencil message.

Cite this card

High Water Mark of the Rebellion, Gettysburg, PA, 1942, postcard, c. 1942. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/high-water-mark-of-the-rebellion-gettysburg-pa-1942. Accessed November 3, 2026.