Statue Major-General John Buford

"In memory of
Major General John Buford
Comdg. 1st Div. Cav. Corps Army of the Potomac
who with the first inspiration of a cavalry officer
selected this battle field July 1st, 1863"

On the rear
"From this crest was fired the opening gun of the battle: one of the four cannon at the base of this memorial"

The nine foot bronze statue on a 6 1/2 foot granite base is surrounded by cannons of Calef's Battery 2nd US Artillery, Battery A. The barrel positioned front left fired the first Union artillery shot of the battle under General Buford's personal direction.

This memorial in the Gettysburg National Military Park commemorates Major-General John Buford, involved in the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from 1 to 3 July 1863 by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The battle involved the largest armies (104,000 Union soldiers and 71,000 Confederate soldiers) of the entire war and is often described as the war's turning point. The battle resulted in a Union victory, ending the Confederate attempt to invade the North.
The battle involved the largest number of casualties of the entire war: in total over 6,600 men were killed, 33,000 wounded and 12,000 missing of captured. The losses were about equal on both sides.