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

45th New York Infantry

1st Brigade, 3rd Division

— 11th Corps —

45th New York Infantry Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

1. 45th New York Infantry Monument

Inscription.

45th New York Infantry. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division. (Front):45th N.Y. Infantry 1st Brig. 3rd Div. 11th Corps. July 1, 1863. , (Left):The regiment went into action about 11.30 a.m. July 1st, 1863, by deploying four companies as skirmishers under Captain Irsch about one hundred yards to the rear of this monument. They advanced supported by the other six companies under Lt. Col. Dobke about five hundred and forty yards under a terrific artillery and sharpshooter's fire to a point indicated by marker in front. The regiment also assisted in repelling a charge on the flank of the 1st. Corps to the left, capturing many prisoners. Covered retrograde movement into town, fighting through the streets, where Major Koch fell desperately wounded. A portion of the regiment was cut off and took shelter in connecting houses and yards on Chambersburg Street west of the town square, holding the enemy at bay until about 5.30 p.m. when they surrendered, after having destroyed their arms and accouterments. , (Left):On July 2, the remnant of the regiment was exposed to a heavy artillery fire on Cemetery Hill, and in the evening moved hastily to Culp's Hill and assisted in repulsing an attack on Greene's Brigade 12th Corps (see markers on Culp's and Cemetery Hills). On 3d, it was again exposed to artillery and sharpshooters fire, whereupon Sergt. Link, with volunteers, dislodged the enemy's sharpshooters in the edge of town, nearly all the small attacking party being killed or wounded in the effort. The regiment while in the Army of the Potomac participated in the following battles: Cross Keys - White Sulphur Springs - 2d Bull Run Cedar Mountain - Gainesville - Chancellorsville Waterloo Bridge - Groveton - Gettysburg and then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland at: Lookout Mountain - Resaca - Kenesaw Mountain and many other minor engagements., (Back):The regiment carried into action July 1st, 25 officers and about 250 men. As officially reported, it lost, killed 11, wounded 35, missing 164, total 210 officers and men. Among the missing many were killed or wounded in the town and not included in the above numbers. Those captured refused offered parole hoping to encumber the enemy, believing that the Union Army would capture the crippled foe and thereby effect their release. Sadly disappointed, they suffered indescribable misery in Andersonville and other prison pens, neglected, often maltreated and finally believing themselves forgotten and forsaken. Many died martyrs and joined their more fortunate comrades who fell gloriously on this field.

(Front):45th N.Y. Infantry
1st Brig. 3rd Div.
11th Corps.
July 1, 1863

(Left):The regiment went into action about 11.30 a.m. July 1st, 1863, by deploying four companies as skirmishers under Captain Irsch about one hundred yards to the rear of this monument. They advanced supported by the other six companies under Lt. Col. Dobke about five hundred and forty yards under a terrific artillery and sharpshooter's fire to a point indicated by marker in front. The regiment also assisted in repelling a charge on the flank of the 1st. Corps to the left, capturing many prisoners. Covered retrograde movement into town, fighting through the streets, where Major Koch fell desperately wounded. A portion of the regiment was cut off and took shelter in connecting houses and yards on Chambersburg Street west of the town square, holding the enemy at bay until about 5.30 p.m. when they surrendered, after having destroyed their arms and accouterments.

(Left):On July 2, the remnant of the regiment was exposed to a heavy artillery fire on Cemetery Hill, and in the evening moved hastily to Culp's Hill and assisted in repulsing an attack on Greene's Brigade

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12th Corps (see markers on Culp's and Cemetery Hills). On 3d, it was again exposed to artillery and sharpshooters fire, whereupon Sergt. Link, with volunteers, dislodged the enemy's sharpshooters in the edge of town, nearly all the small attacking party being killed or wounded in the effort. The regiment while in the Army of the Potomac participated in the following battles:
Cross Keys - White Sulphur Springs - 2d Bull Run
Cedar Mountain - Gainesville - Chancellorsville
Waterloo Bridge - Groveton - Gettysburg
and then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland at:
Lookout Mountain - Resaca - Kenesaw Mountain
and many other minor engagements.

(Back):The regiment carried into action July 1st, 25 officers and about 250 men. As officially reported, it lost, killed 11, wounded 35, missing 164, total 210 officers and men. Among the missing many were killed or wounded in the town and not included in the above numbers. Those captured refused offered parole hoping to encumber the enemy, believing that the Union Army would capture the crippled foe and thereby effect their release. Sadly disappointed, they suffered indescribable misery in Andersonville and other prison pens, neglected, often maltreated

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

2. Right Side

and finally believing themselves forgotten and forsaken. Many died martyrs and joined their more fortunate comrades who fell gloriously on this field.

Erected 1888 by State of New York.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1780.

Location. 39° 50.451′ N, 77° 14.084′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Mummasburg Road, on the right when traveling east on Howard Avenue. Located 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 are within walking distance of this marker. First Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Third Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 74th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (within shouting distance of this marker); 61st Ohio Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery I, First Ohio Light Artillery (about 500 feet away); 157th Regiment New York Volunteers

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

3. Left Side

(about 600 feet away); Artillery Brigade (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

More about this marker. A small marker stone is about 450 yards to the west of the monument, indicating the furthest advance of the regiment on July 1, 1863.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The 45th New York at Gettysburg.

Also see . . . Howe's Rifles or First German Rifles. Alternate names for the 45th New York discussed in this short regimental history. (Submitted on September 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

4. Back Side

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

5. 45th New York Infantry Monument

The monument, along Howard Avenue, is on ground bordering athletic fields. The Regiment deployed skirmishers on the southeastern edge of what is today those athletic fields and advanced forward toward Seminary Ridge / Oak Hill to join with the I Corps right flank.

45th New York Infantry Advance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

6. 45th New York Infantry Advance

From the monument location looking west at Seminary Ridge. The Regiment moved forward into the ground just east of Seminary Ridge and encountered Confederates from Rodes' Division who were advancing from the north, both along the ridge and to the east of it. The advance marker stone sits on a side road, near the red farm building in the distant right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,652 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.