In 1881, French artist Paul D. Philippoteaux was commissioned to paint the spectacle of "Pickett's Charge" in cyclorama form (a canvas comprising a 360-degree circle). He studied the Gettysburg battlefield, made sketches, had photographs taken, and interviewed eyewitnesses. At some point in his visits, he crossed paths with Peter and Robert Bird, veterans of the 24th Michigan, attending a reunion. The three of them formed an immediate friendship, strong enough to prompt Philippoteaux to paint the brothers into his 356 ft X 26 ft masterpiece.
Curtis lists Peter as wounded
in the thigh and Robert wounded in the arm during the first day's
fighting at Gettysburg. It's easy to spot them in the painting.
They are the out-of-place pair, already bandaged, helping each
other off the field in the middle foreground, below and just right
of the wounded Confederate General Lewis Armistead (who Philippoteaux
mistakenly positioned on horseback). This is to the left of the
exploding artillery ammunition chest. A close-up view reveals
shoulder straps on each man. Peter, with a beard and a bandaged
arm, is on the right. Robert is on the left with his arm in a
sling and his head bandaged.
The next time you are in Gettysburg, check out "our boys"
at the Cyclorama. Almost all of the staff will tell you about
the Birds, if you ask. They will also point out other people intentionally
painted into the scene, as well as more of the many inaccuracies
that crept into the finished work.
Please Note: This page is entirely based on an article by Kent Armstrong which appeared in the August 1996 issue of the Twenty-Fourth Telegraph, the newsletter of the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry reenactment group. The photographs were taken by the author and are used with the permission of the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Last Updated: 05/03/99
Webmaster: Rob Richardson
robr@advnet.net
All original material © Copyright 1997, 1999 Kent Armstrong
