Someone carved initials on a New York monument at Gettysburg's Little Round Top. Now the park is seeking the public's help in holding him accountable

Man being sought after vandalism;12th New York plaque is on the tower, behind leaves (NPS photos)

A man etched initials on a bronze tablet at the “Castle” monument on Gettysburg's Little Round Top, and the park is seeking the public's help in its investigation.

“Acts of vandalism will not be tolerated in our national parks, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable,” Gettysburg National Military Park spokesman Jason Martz told the Picket following the Sunday afternoon incident at the 44^th and 12^th New York monument.

The park posted an image of a bearded, white male on social media and asked for the public’s help.

A good Samaritan, heard scratching, took the photo and alerted authorities, said Martz. The individual carved the initials “LJR” on the edge of a tablet about the 12^th New York. The tablet is affixed to the Castle’s tower and abuts the second-floor parapet/landing. Martz told Fox 43 a pocket knife was likely used.

Dedicated in 1893, the large stone monument sits near the summit of Little Round Top, famous for dogged fighting on July 2, 1863, that left about 1,800 casualties. It was designed by Col. Daniel Butterfield of the 12th New York and stands 44 feet high.

Martz said the park will make repairs, but the timing is uncertain. “Our preservationists are amazing.”

Heavily visited Little Round Top reopened in July 2024 after a two-year rehabilitation.

The 44^th New York monument underwent repairs and upgrades to its base and sidewalks. (The 12th plaque is on the far left in this NPS photo)

According to news reports, boulders at Little Round Top had graffiti damage in August 2024, and park officials similarly decried defacement of sacred ground where men were killed, wounded or left missing.

Those with information on Sunday’s incident are asked to call the National Park Service tip line at 888-653-0009.

Vandalism? Nope. That dark material at Gettysburg's Arkansas monument was actually the byproduct of regular cleaning

During and after first pressure washing on July 23 (NPS photos)

Gettysburg National Military Park has a suggestion to visitors after a misunderstanding this week: If you think you have seen an act of vandalism, tell us about it first before you put photos on social media.

That occurred when some people who saw a dark-colored substance on the Arkansas Memorial posted images on Facebook, saying it was vandalism, said park acting public affairs officer Jason Martz.

In a news release, the park said monument preservation staff had sprayed a biological cleaning solution, known as D2, at the memorial on Wednesday afternoon as rain began falling.

“This biological cleaning solution requires the surface to be cleaned to be wet before application and passing summer rains provide a perfect opportunity to quickly and effectively begin this process. The solution was allowed to set up overnight and monument preservation staff began cleaning the memorial the following morning on July 23,” Martz said.

Staff uses biological agent before second washing (NPS photo)

Monument maintenance targets mold, algae and lichens on the stone. Those growths turn different colors as they are being killed. “When the reds, yellows, and oranges mix over time, the overall color turns very dark. This is what was reported as vandalism by park visitors.”

Repeated applications clean such monuments, and any residual staining will be bleached out by the sun within a few days.

It appears photos posted on social media were taken between the application of the solution and the pressure washing the next day. Martz told the Civil War Picket a Facebook page that had a post alleging vandalism took the item down.

The park, while acknowledging public interest in protecting monuments, said concerned visitors should email staffers by email via the “Contact Us” link on its website, send a direct message on the Facebook page or contact any park employee they may see.

NPS continues investigation of 'Stonewall' Jackson monument vandalism at Manassas

(National Park Service photo)

The National Park Service is continuing to investigate vandalism – in the form of poured and sprayed paint – on the famous Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson monument at Manassas National Battlefield Park, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

NPS spokeswoman Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles said “no more details are available for release at this time.”

The monument after it had been scrubbed (NPS)

Crews by Thursday afternoon had removed all the paint and will repolish the black granite base at a later date, the park said in a Facebook post about the vandalism that was discovered at about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

White paint was poured on three of the four sides of the polished granite base. The word “Dead!!!” was written in gold spray paint. 

Cleanup of vandalism of Stonewall Jackson statue at Manassas Battlefield Park is progressing well. Latex paint washing off  @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/hFGdFa5tua

— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) October 4, 2017Vandalism has been reported in other locations in the country amid the debate over what to do with monuments honoring or recognizing the Confederate cause and its leaders.

The monument was erected in 1940 near the Henry House. It’s where Jackson received the nickname “Stonewall,” at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861.

(NPS photos)

An NPS web page said this of the dedication, which came during World War II but before the United States entered that conflict: “Mounted atop an eight-foot base of black granite etched with Brig. Gen. Barnard Bee's immortal phrase, "There Stands Jackson Like a Stone Wall," the stalwart Jackson in the saddle projected the same strength and determination that Americans needed in the current perilous affairs.”

NPS law enforcement park rangers are investigating Wednesday’s incident; anyone with information is asked to call 301-714-2235.

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