Sickles' Excelsior Brigade Marker

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Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sickles' Excelsior Brigade
E Pluribus Unum

Sickles' Excelsior Brigade Monument Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

1. Sickles' Excelsior Brigade Monument

Inscription. (Top Banner Plaque):2nd. Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps.
Col. W.R. Brewster, Commanding.

Position, July 2, 1863, 3 to 6 p.m.
July 3rd, supported left centre.(Unit Plaques at base)
70th New York Infantry
(1st Excelsior)On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the Brigade of which this regiment formed a part supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road, on July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
Casualties
32 Killed - 81 Wounded - 4 Missing
Total 117
Mustered-in June 20, 1861. Mustered-out July 1, 1864.
71st New York Infantry
(2nd Excelsior)On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the Brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assualt of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
Casualties
14 Killed - 64 Wounded - 13 Missing
Total

Top Plaque, Left Side Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

2. Top Plaque, Left Side

91
Mustered-in June 20, 1861, Mustered-out July 30, 1864.
72nd New York Infantry
(3rd Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
Casualties
7 Killed - 94 Wounded - 15 Missing
Total 116
Mustered-in June 20, 1861, Mustered-out July 19, 1864.
73nd New York Infantry
(4th Excelsior, 2nd Fire Zouaves)
At 5.30 p.m. July 2, 1863, this regiment was detached to support General Graham's Brigade at the Peach Orchard which was heavily attacked by McLaws' Division of the Confederate Army. On July 3rd supporting the left centre of the army.
Casualties
51 Killed - 103 Wounded - 8 Missing
Total 162
Mustered-in July 10, 1861, Mustered-out June 29, 1865.
74th New York Infantry
(5th Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July

Top Plaque, Right Side Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

3. Top Plaque, Right Side

1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
Casualties
17 Killed - 69 Wounded - 3 Missing
Total 89
Mustered-in June 20, 1861, Mustered-out June 26, 1864.

Erected 1893 by State of New York.

Location. 39° 48.107′ N, 77° 14.849′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Sickles Avenue and Wheatfield Road, on the left when traveling north on Sickles Avenue. Click for map. Located in Excelsior Field, near stop 10, the Peach Orchard, on the driving tour of Gettysburg National Military Park. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Clark's Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); 73rd New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 7th New Jersey Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); 139th Pennsylvania Volunteers (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); 15th New York Battery (about 300 feet away); Second Brigade (about 300 feet away); First Volunteer Brigade (about 400 feet away); Artillery Brigade (about 400 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Gettysburg.

70th Regiment Plaque Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

4. 70th Regiment Plaque

Also see . . .
1. The Peach Orchard. National Park Service virtual tour stop. (Submitted on October 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Sickles or Excelsior Brigade. Daniel Sickles, at some personal expense, in 1861 recruited, organized, and presented the brigade as part of the first wave of volunteers for the Civil War. For his role, Sickles was rewarded with the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers. Later Sickles was promoted to division and corps command, but the brigade was forever linked with him. (Submitted on October 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. A History of the Excelsior Brigade. An oration was given by Colonel John N. Coyne on the occasion of the dedication of the monument, July 2, 1893. (Submitted on October 31, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

71st Regiment Plaque Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

5. 71st Regiment Plaque

72nd Regiment Plaque Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

6. 72nd Regiment Plaque

73rd Regiment Plaque Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

7. 73rd Regiment Plaque

74th Regiment Plaque Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

8. 74th Regiment Plaque

Sickles' Excelsior Brigade Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010

9. Sickles' Excelsior Brigade Marker

73rd Regiment Marker Stone Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

10. 73rd Regiment Marker Stone

In addition to the monument, the individual regiments are represented by marker stones along Sickles Avenue. In the foreground is the 73rd Regiment's. In the distance along the fence line is the marker stone for the 70th Regiment.

74th Regiment Marker Stone Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

11. 74th Regiment Marker Stone

The 74th's marker stone stands to the north of the monument along Sickles Avenue.