The Sixth Ninth Pennsylvania Infantry is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? July 3, 1887.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: Quincy granite with bronze reliefs; Base: polished and rough-hewn granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 20 ft.; Base: approx. W. 5 ft. 6 in. x D. 5 ft. 6 in.
Who made it? Burk, Joseph E., sculptor.
What does it depict? Monument that has ten company markers. Ten granite company markers are one foot square, connected by a chain. Shaft stands on a polished pedestal and a rough-hewn base. A Coat of Arms for the State of Pennsylvania is affixed to the plinth. Decorative elements include the Corps insignia, Irish lyre and United States flags.
What does it honor? The sculpture indicates the position held by the 69th Pennsylvania during Longstreet’s Assault July 3, 1863. It is also near the spot where their commander, Col. Dennis O’Kane, was killed.
How is it inscribed? In memoriam of our deceased comrades, who gave up their lives in defence of a perpetual Union. On this spot fell our commander, Col. Dennis O’Kane, his true glory was victory or death, at the moment of achieving the former, he fell victim to the latter. While rallying the right to repulse Armistead, the Lieut. Col. Martin Tschuby was killed. He was also wounded on the previous day, but nobly refused to leave the field. The Major and Adjutant were also wounded. Out of an aggregate strength of 258 the regiment suffered a loss of 137.
When was this photograph taken? June 7, 2011. Monument faces due east. This photograph is of the front of the monument.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Webb Avenue, south side, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Old Webb Avenue is located at the stonewall of the Angle near the Copse of trees. Located on the south side of the former Webb Avenue west of the Copse of Trees.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
The was also known as Second California. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Webb’s Brigade in Gibbon’s Division of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.
Commander: Col. Dennis O’Kane (1824-1863). Born in Ireland; tavern keeper in Richmond. Mortally wounded on July 3 and died the following day. Capt. William Davis (ca. 1832-1883) took over command; he was also born in Ireland; he was a hatter in Philadelphia and was wounded at Ream’s Station.
Number Engaged: 329
Casualties: 40 killed, 80 wounded, 17 missing
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Captain Michael Duffy, Company I, of Philadelphia, aged 24, killed on July 2
- 2nd Lieutenant Charles F. Kelly, Company H, killed on July 2, of Philadelphia, aged 21
- 2nd Lieutenant Michael Mullin, Company G, of Philadelphia, aged 27, buried in National Cemetery at A-50
- Colonel Dennis O’Kane, Field Officer, mortally wounded on July 3, of Philadelphia
- Captain George Thompson, Company F, aged 39, killed on July 3, of Philadelphia
- Lieutenant Colonel Martin Tschudy, Field Officer, of Charleston SC, killed on July 3, having refused to leave the field after being wounded on July 2
Soldiers Buried in the Pennsylvania Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Pvt. Frederick Bevensted, Company A, C-86
- Sgt. Jeremiah W. Boyle, Company H, D-8
- Pvt. James Clay, Company G, A-34
- Pvt. James Coyle, Company G, A-35
- Sgt. Jeremiah Gallagher, Company B, D-12
- Pvt. Timothy Gallagher, Company B, C-45
- Pvt. John Harrington, Company K, B-69
- Pvt. John Harvey, Jr., Company A, D-72
- Pvt. John Hurley, Company H, C-17
- Pvt. James F. Kelley, Company K, C-89
- Cpl. James McCann, Company D, D-10
- Pvt. James McEntyre, Company G, A-33
- Sgt. James F. McShea, Company B, C-44
- Pvt. Robert Morrison, Company A, B-17
- Pvt. Patrick O’Brien, Company A, C-16
- Sgt. John O’Connor, Company G, B-68
- Pvt. James O’Neill, Company B, C-41
- Pvt. James Rice, Company G, A-36
- Sgt. John Wogan, Company G, A-32
After Action Report: After Action Report of Capt. William Davis (will open a pop up window).
General Information
Raised: Philadelphia
Notable Facts: Known as the Irish 69th Regiment. Originally raised as the 2nd California, it was then designated as the 68th Pennsylvania. However, it successfully petitioned to have the number changed to 69th in honor of the 69th New York Infantry. The 69th served in the Peninsula Campaign, during which it was complimented by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker for making “the first successful bayonet charge of the war.” The 69th was the only Pennsylvania regiment to carry a green “Irish” flag into battle.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Philadelphia August 18, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 17. Attached to Baker’s Brigade, Stone’s (Sedgwick’s) Division, Army Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington, D. C., until October. Affair at Vaderburg’s House, Munson’s Hill, September 29, 1861. Moved to Poolesville, Md., and duty on the Upper Potomac until February, 1862. At Harper’s Ferry, W. Va.. until March 24. Moved to the Virginia Peninsula March 24-April 1. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Moved to West Point May 7. Duty at Tyler’s Farm until May 31. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Duty at Fair Oaks until June 28. Skirmish at Fair Oaks June 18. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Peach Orchard and Savage Station June 29. Charles City Cross Roads and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Movement to Newport News, thence to Alexandria August 16-28, and to Centreville and Chantilly August 29-30. Cover Pope’s retreat August 31-September 1. Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September 6-24. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Moved to Harper’s Ferry September 22, and duty there until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 20. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Burnside’s 2nd Campaign, “Mud March,” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Hartwood Church February 25. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Banks’ Ford May 1 and 4. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 13-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. At Banks’ Ford and Culpeper until October. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Robertson’s Tavern or Locust Grove November 27. Duty on the Rapidan until May, 1864. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7. Veterans on furlough March and April. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Po River May 10; Spottsylvania C. H. May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864. Demonstration north of the James at Deep Bottom July 27-29. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve). Demonstration north of the James at Deep Bottom August 13-20. Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18. Ream’s Station August 25. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865. Watkins’ House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Vaughan Road near Hatcher’s Run March 29. Crow’s House March 31. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Sailor’s Creek April 6. High Bridge and Farmville April 7. Appomattox C. H. April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. At Burkesville until May 2. March to Washington, D.C., May 2-12. Grand Review May 23. At Ball’s Cross Roads until July. Mustered out July 1, 1865. Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 166 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 107 Enlisted men by disease. Total 288.
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
