Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Maj. Henry C. Whelan

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2023

1. Maj. Henry C. Whelan Marker

Inscription.

Maj. Henry C. Whelan. . , Maj. Henry C. Whelan, a Civil War Army Officer was mustered in as Captain and commander of Company C of the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Calvary on Sept. 10, 1861. He was promoted up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on Sept. 20, 1863 but he was not mustered at that rank. He died on March 2, 1864 of heart disease., Maj. Whelan was a hero at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia during the Civil War. In June, 1863 the Union Cavalry discovered a concentration of Confederate Calvary near a small halt of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad near Culpepper, VA, called Brandy Station. Over 9,000 Confederate Calvary had gathered in preparation for Gen. Robert Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania., Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac sought to rout the unsuspecting Confederates. As the battle progressed, the 6th Pennsylvania Calvary, the "Lancers", were ordered to charge the Confederate artillery. The regimental commander, Maj. Robert Morris, Jr. was captured during the charge when his horse fell. Maj. Henry C. Whelan then took command of the regiment and led his men to fight the Confederates with sabers while they attacked with pistols. As the battle waged, "hundreds of glittering sabers instantly leaped from their scabbards, gleamed and flashed in the morning sun, then clashed with metallic ring, searching for human blood, while hundreds of little puffs of white smoke gracefully rose through the balmy June air from discharging firearms all over the field in front of our batteries…" , George Neese, Three Years in the Confederates Horse Artillery., The Lancers then made a second charge in the battle. Maj. Whelan, now commanding the regiment, launched a headlong charge against a strong enemy position anchored along a low stone wall. Supported by George Cram's 6th US Cavalry, the Pennsylvania Lancers thundered toward the 10th Virginia Cavalry against a wall of arms and artillery fire. Whelan's horse was shot out from under him. The Lancers were eventually routed by a counter charge by the 9th Virginia Cavalry.

Maj. Henry C. Whelan, a Civil War Army Officer was mustered in as Captain and commander of Company C of the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Calvary on Sept. 10, 1861. He was promoted up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on Sept. 20, 1863 but he was not mustered at that rank. He died on March 2, 1864 of heart disease.

Maj. Whelan was a hero at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia during the Civil War. In June, 1863 the Union Cavalry discovered a concentration of Confederate Calvary near a small halt of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad near Culpepper, VA, called Brandy Station. Over 9,000 Confederate Calvary had gathered in preparation for Gen. Robert Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac sought to rout the unsuspecting Confederates. As the battle progressed, the 6th Pennsylvania Calvary, the "Lancers", were ordered to charge the Confederate artillery. The regimental commander, Maj. Robert Morris, Jr. was captured during the charge when his horse fell. Maj. Henry C. Whelan then took command of the regiment and led his men to fight the Confederates with sabers while they attacked with pistols. As the battle waged, "hundreds of glittering sabers instantly leaped from their scabbards, gleamed and flashed in the morning sun, then clashed with metallic

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ring, searching for human blood, while hundreds of little puffs of white smoke gracefully rose through the balmy June air from discharging firearms all over the field in front of our batteries…"
George Neese, Three Years in the Confederates Horse Artillery.

The Lancers then made a second charge in the battle. Maj. Whelan, now commanding the regiment, launched a headlong charge against a strong enemy position anchored along a low stone wall. Supported by George Cram's 6th US Cavalry, the Pennsylvania Lancers thundered toward the 10th Virginia Cavalry against a wall of arms and artillery fire. Whelan's horse was shot out from under him. The Lancers were eventually routed by a counter charge by the 9th Virginia Cavalry.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Orange and Alexandria Railroad series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1864.

Location. 39° 56.751′ N, 75° 8.921′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. Marker is on South 4th Street south of Locust Street, on the left when traveling north. This marker is on the wall in Old St. Mary's Cemetery. The parish generally keeps the gate locked but visits can be arranged. Touch for map

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2023

2. Maj. Henry C. Whelan Marker

. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harriet Cany Peale (here, next to this marker); James Campbell (here, next to this marker); Hon. James Campbell (here, next to this marker); Emanuel Holmes (a few steps from this marker); Michael Bouvier (a few steps from this marker); Don Juan Bautista Bernabeu (a few steps from this marker); Commodore John Barry (a few steps from this marker); General Stephen Moylan (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Additional commentary.
1. Spelling on the Marker
The spelling of Culpepper comes verbatim on the marker. The name of the community is usually spelled Culpeper.

— Submitted January 15, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.