Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
6th New York Cavalry
(Ira Harris Guard)
— 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
1. 6th New York Cavalry Monument
The monument is a castle-like structure, with a church-type spire on top. On the flanks are Grecian horse heads. On the top front is the New York State seal. At the bottom is the crossed saber symbol of the Cavalry Corps.
(Front):(Ira Harris Guard)
2d Brigade. 1st Division.
Cavalry Corps.
(Back, Left Column):
Mustered into service
September, 1861. Re-enlisted as
Veteran Volunteers at
Culpeper Court House, Va.,
Dec. 16. 1863. Mustered out of
service June 17, 1865.
Total number enlisted 1969.
Total casualties, officers 34, men 382.
Principle engagements:
Barnett's Ford. - Wilderness.
Seven Pines. - Todd's Tavern.
Fair Oaks. - Spottsylvania.
Malvern Hill. - Yellow Tavern.
Frederick. - Sheridan's Raid around Richmond.
South Mountain
Antietam. - Hawe's Shop.
Fredericksburg. - Cold Harbor.
Chancellorsville - Trevillian Station.
Brandy Station. - White House.
Aldie. - Deep Bottom.
Upperville. - Shepherdstown.
Gettysburg. - Front Royal.
Boonsboro*. - Winchester.
Williamsport. - Fisher's Hill.
Culpeper Court House. - Cedar Creek.
Mine Run. - Dinwiddie C.H.
Morton's Ford. - Appomattox Station.
and 46 other battles and skirmishes.
(Back, Right Column):
this page online
Arrived June 30, 1863.
July 1st Skirmished, dismounted,
on this line until arrival of 1st Corps
and the rest of the day on right of the
York Road. Then retired to Cemetery
Hill, one squadron being among the
last Union troops in Gettysburg
on that day. Bivouacked in Peach
Orchard that night and engaged
enemy's skirmishers on the morning
of July 2d until relieved by
troops of the 3d Corps.
Then moved to Taneytown and on
the third to Westminster, from
which place moved with the
Division (Buford's) in pursuit of
the enemy. Met and engaged them
July 8th at Boonsboro', Md.
holding that position.
Casualties.
Killed 1, wounded 5, missing 16.
Total 22.
(Across the Bottom of the Back Plaque):
Brevet Major-General
Thomas C. Devin
First Colonel
6th New York Cavalry.
Erected 1889 by State of New York.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1920.
Location. 39° 50.673′ N, 77° 14.829′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial is on Buford Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the West Cavalry Battlefield section in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
2. Front of Monument
The relief depicts an officer urging his men forward into battle.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 3rd West Virginia Cavalry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Useless Slaughter (about 400 feet away); 9th New York Cavalry (about 600 feet away); 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers (approx. ¼ mile away); Second Army Corps (approx. ¼ mile away); 16th Maine Infantry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Also see . . .
1. 6th New York Cavalry. Also known as the "Ira Harris Cavalry" or "Second Ira Harris Guard." It was so named for Senator Ira Harris, of New York. (Submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Lightning Damage to Monument. Blog entry with a photo showing the damage from October 2007. (Submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
3. Back of Monument
The portrait in the relief is that of General Devin.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
4. Close Up of the Monument Side
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
5. 6th New York Cavalry Monument (Reverse)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
6. 6th New York Cavalry Monument
The 6th NY Cavalry Monument was damaged by a lightning strike on October 9, 2007. The monument has since been restored.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2007
7. 6th New York Cavalry Marker
This photo was taken only a few days before the monument was struck by lightning and damaged.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 13, 2007
8. Damaged Monument
Damage caused by the lightning strike can be seen in this photo.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
9. 6th New York Cavalry Position on the Ridge Line
Looking at the Monument from the observation tower on Oak Ridge. The regiment maintained a "base" along that ridge line during the morning phases of July 1.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,570 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 17, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
