The Twenty Third Pennsylvania Infantry is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Dedicated Aug. 1886 (base). Rededicated June 12, 1888 (full monument).
What is it made out of? Figure: granite; Relief: bronze; Greek Cross: blue tile; Base: granite.
What size is it? Overall: approx. 14 ft. 3 in.; Die: approx. W. 4 ft. x D. 4 ft.
Who made it? Unknown, sculptor.
What does it depict? Full-length figure of a uniformed Zouave infantryman stands atop a polished, columnic pedestal with decorative cap. The whole stands on a square, tiered base. The figure holds his rifle vertically in both hands at his proper right side. He appears to be in mid-stride and there is a tree stump behind him. A relief Coat of Arms is affixed to the sculpture’s plinth and the Corps insignia of a Greek Cross appears on the pedestal’s front face, below the cap. The cross surmounts a set of crossed flags. Paid for by the regiment’s surviving members, the larger-than-life statue at the top of the monument depicts Matthew Spence, a veteran of the unit. He is dressed in a partial zouave uniform advancing up a hill with his rifle at “trail arms.” Monument that has two flanking markers. The shaft has polished and smooth cut faces, and alternating incised and excised inscriptions and lettering.
What does it honor? The sculpture indicates the position taken by the 23rd Pennsylvania when Shaler’s Brigade of VI Corps relieved the XII Crops in entrenchments. The location of this monument was hotly debated by the Battlefield Memorial Association.
How is it inscribed? THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED/AUGUST 1886 BY THE/SURVIVORS OF THE 23D/PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER/ INFANTRY AND ITS FRIENDS
When was this photograph taken? December 17, 2010. Monument faces east.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Slocum Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on the west side of Slocum Avenue, near Williams Avenue.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes, located on the extended tour route that includes Culp’s Hill.
Has this monument been moved or changed? It was originally capped with a pyramid of granite cannon balls which was replaced by the Zouave figure. The State Coat of Arms was also a later addition. The base and die were erected by surviving members of the regiment and the figure was erected by the State of Pennsylvania.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
The 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry was also known as Birney’s Zouaves. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Shaler’s Brigade in Newton’s Division of the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Commander: Lt. Col. John F. Glenn (1829-1905). Printer in Philadelphia and Mexican War veteran.
Number Engaged: 538
Casualties: 1 killed, 13 wounded
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- 1st Lieut. Joshua S. Garsed, Company B, of Philadelphia, killed on July 3
General Information
Raised: Philadelphia.
Notable Facts: Known for its colorful uniforms based upon the popular French Zouave style.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Philadelphia August 31, 1861. Ordered to Washington, D.C., September. Attached to Buell’s (Couch’s) Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, to January, 1864. Johnson’s Island, Sandusky, Ohio, to May 1864. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, to September, 1864.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. Moved to the Virginia Peninsula March 26. Warwick River April 4. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Operations about Bottom’s Bridge May 20-23. Reconnaissance toward Richmond May 23. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. White Oak Swamp and Charles City Cross Roads June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Reconnaissance to Malvern Hill August 5-7. Movement to Alexandria, thence to Chantilly August 16-30, Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September-October. Guard Potomac from White’s Ford to Nolan’s Ferry September 11-24 during battles of South Mountain and Antietam. White’s Ford September 15. (Company “B” captured at Nolin’s Ford September 15 by Colonel White’s Command.) Moved to Downsville September 24 and picket duty on the Potomac until November 1. Movement to Falmouth, Va., November 1-19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin’s Crossing April 29-May 2. Fredericksburg, Maryes Heights, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks’ Ford May 4. Operations about Deep Run Ravine June 6-13. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. At Warrenton and Culpepper to October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7 (Reserve). Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Regiment reenlisted December 30, 1863. Veterans on furlough until February 11, 1864. Moved to Johnson’s Island, Lake Erie, Ohio, January 6, 1864, and guard Rebel Prisoners at that place until May 6. Moved to Washington, D.C., May 9-13; thence to Belle Plains and guard Rebel Prisoners and escort trains to the front until May 23. Rapidan Campaign May 23-June 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey November 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 17-19. Ream’s Station, Weldon Railroad, June 22-23. Siege of Petersburg until July 9. Moved to Washington July 9-11. Repulse Early’s attack on Washington July 11-12. Snicker’s Gap Expedition July 14-18. Operations in Shenandoah Valley until September. Charlestown August 21. Ordered home for muster out. Mustered out September 8, 1864. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 82nd Pennsylvania September 8. 1864. Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 110 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 70 Enlisted men by disease. Total 188.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
1st Reserve :: 2nd Reserve :: 5th Reserve :: 6th Reserve :: 9th Reserve :: 10th Reserve :: 11th Reserve :: 12th Reserve :: 13th Reserve :: 11th Infantry :: 23rd Infantry :: 26th Infantry :: 26th Emergency :: 27th Infantry :: 28th Infantry :: 29th Infantry :: 46th Infantry :: 49th Infantry :: 53rd Infantry :: 56th Infantry :: 57th Infantry :: 61st Infantry :: 62nd Infantry :: 63rd Infantry :: 68th Infantry :: 69th Infantry :: 71st Infantry :: 72nd Infantry :: 73rd Infantry :: 74th Infantry :: 75th Infantry :: 81st Infantry :: 82nd Infantry :: 83rd Infantry :: 84th Infantry :: 88th Infantry :: 90th Infantry :: 91st Infantry :: 93rd Infantry :: 95th Infantry :: 96th Infantry :: 98th Infantry :: 99th Infantry :: 102nd Infantry :: 105th Infantry :: 106th Infantry :: 107th Infantry :: 109th Infantry :: 110th Infantry :: 111th Infantry :: 114th Infantry :: 115th Infantry :: 116th Infantry :: 118th Infantry :: 119th Infantry :: 121st Infantry :: 139th Infantry :: 140th Infantry :: 141st Infantry :: 142nd Infantry :: 143rd Infantry :: 145th Infantry :: 147th Infantry :: 148th Infantry :: 149th Infantry :: 150th Infantry :: 151st Infantry :: 153rd Infantry :: 155th Infantry :: Cavalry :: 1st Regiment :: 2nd Regiment :: 3rd Regiment :: 4th Regiment :: 6th Regiment :: 8th Regiment :: 16th Regiment :: 17th Regiment :: 18th Regiment :: 21st Regiment :: Artillery :: 1st Artillery B :: 1st Artillery F&G :: 3rd Artillery H :: Independent C&F :: Independent E
