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

8th Illinois Cavalry

1st Brigade, 1st Division

— Cavalry Corps —

8th Illinois Cavalry Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

1. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument

On top of the monument is a saddle, with attached bedrolls, saddle bags, and stirrups. At the top of the front is a disk with the state seal, on top of two crossed sabers.

Inscription. (Front):8th Illinois Cavalry
1st. Brig. - 1st Div.
Cavalry Corps
————
First line of battle
July 1. 1863
Occupied until relieved by 1st Corps.
One squadron picketed ridge east of Marsh
Creek and supported by another squadron
met enemy's right advance
————
Lieut. Jones Co. E. fired first shot as the
enemy crossed Marsh Creek Bridge
(Back):On reforming line Regiment took an
advance position on Hagerstown Road
late in the day delayed enemy's advance
by attacking right flank
thereby aiding the infantry in
withdrawing to Cemetery Hill.
In the evening encamped on left flank
————
July 2. 1863
Buford's Division retired toward Westminster
————
David Diffenbaugh

Erected 1890 by State of Illinois.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.

Location. 39° 50.147′ N, 77° 14.968′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial is on Reynolds Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the First Day Battlefield, north of McPherson Woods, in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. 1st Corps Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); First Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); First Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 143d Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Brigade (about 300 feet away); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named First Division (about 400 feet away); "Forward Men" (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The First Shot Marker and 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument

Also see . . . 8th Illinois Cavalry. Reenactor web site offering some information about the regiment. (Submitted on January 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

2. Back of Monument

Inscribed at the bottom, David Diffenbaugh was the only member of the regiment to lose his life during the battle.

Detail of the Saddle On Top of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

3. Detail of the Saddle On Top of Monument

8th Illinois Cavalry Monument (Front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

4. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument (Front)

8th Illinois Cavalry Monument (Reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

5. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument (Reverse)

8th Illinois Cavalry Monument<br>Topped With a Saddle Representing the Cavalry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

6. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument
Topped With a Saddle Representing the Cavalry

8th Illinois Cavalry Monument along Reynolds Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

7. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument along Reynolds Avenue

The 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument stands on the spot originally occupied by the 8th New York Cavalry Monument. The later was relocated when the 8th Illinois monument was dedicated, based on the battle lines determined by the Battlefield Board.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

8. 8th Illinois Cavalry Monument

Cavalry Line in Schultz Woods image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008

9. Cavalry Line in Schultz Woods

Looking along a stone wall in Schultz Woods, running north to south along Seminary Ridge. During the final phases of the fighting north and west of Gettysburg, Gamble's Brigade, including the 8th Illinois, formed along a stone wall south of the Seminary, defending the Fairfield-Hagerstown Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,701 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 17, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8. submitted on July 17, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.