Armistead was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. His sword was captured by Union forces and later returned in 1906.[3] Armistead entrusted his other personal effects, including his spurs, watch chain, seal and pocketbook to Union Army Captain Bingham.[4] This occurred while he was en route to a Union field hospital on the Spangler Farm, where he would die two days later[5][6] During his journey Armistead briefly met Capt. Bingham, and after learning that he was on the staff of General Winfield Scott Hancock, who was a Freemason as well, he asked Bingham to pass along the items with a message to Hancock.[4] General Hancock was a "valued friend"[4] of Armistead's from before the war, and they served together in the Federal army. Hancock was also wounded at Gettysburg. and he would not see Armistead before he died.[7]
Later Accounts
In 1870, James Walker painted the 20 ft × 7.5 ft (6.1 m × 2.3 m) The Repulse of Longstreet's Assault at the Battle of Gettysburg[8] with "Armistead, mortally wounded, is seated on the grass, and is in the act of giving his watch and spurs to his friend, Captain Bingham."[9] As of 2023, the painting is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The 1993 film Gettysburg depicts the event at the original location. In the film, Armistead says to Bingham: "Tell General Hancock for me that I have done him and you all an injury which I shall regret the longest day I live."[4][10]
According to Masonic scholar Paul Bessel,[11] it was said that "as he went down he gave a Masonic sign asking for assistance"[12] although others believe this occurred after Armistead was carried from the battlefield.[13][14]
The sculpture depicts Bingham at the side of Armistead and has a plaque on the reverse with information regarding the dedication: "This monument is presented by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and dedicated as a memorial to the Freemasons of the Union and the Confederacy. Their unique bonds of friendship enabled them to remain a brotherhood undivided, even as they fought in a divided nation, faithfully supporting the respective governments under which they lived."
^Junkin, David Xavier (1880). The Life of Winfield Scott Hancock. D. Appleton and Co. p. 117. Retrieved 2011-09-04. As he was being carried to the rear, he was met by Captain Harry Bingham, of Hancock's staff, who, getting off his horse, asked him if he could do anything for him. Armistead replied to take his watch and spurs to General Hancock, that they might be sent to his relatives. His wishes were complied with, General Hancock sending them to his friends at the first opportunity.
