149th New York Infantry
Posted to the Project on 08 Jul 07
Today’s monument is the 149th New York Infantry.
Located on Culp’s Hill, the 149th New York (also known as the “Fourth Onondaga” — raised from that county) was commanded by Colonel Henry A. Barnum (1833-1892). Barnum, a Syracuse lawyer, would be later awarded a Medal of Honor at Lookout Mountain; he also would rise to the rank of general to rank just after the War. Barnum was ill, however, at Gettysburg. And thus, Lt. Col. Charles B. Randall (1831-1864) took command. Randall, also an attorney, was destined to be killed in the battles around Atlanta in July 1864. He was wounded on July 3d and the regimental command fell to Capt. Nicholas Grumbach (1835-1912) took command of the Regiment.
This is the 149th New York’s second monument at Gettysburg. The first one, erected in 1886, did not meet regimental expectations. So plans were drawn up for a new monument.
The resulting regimental monument is located on “upper” Culp’s Hill (North Slocum Avenue). It cost $1,500 and was dedicated on September 18, 1892. It is almost 12′ in height. The monument’s principle feature is a bronze plaque on the front that was executed by artist Edwin Forbes. Entitled “Mending the Flag under Fire” it depicts the regimental Color Sergent, William Lilly (a switchman from Syracuse prior to the War), picking up the pieces of the broken staff of the flag. Lilly repaired the staff and replaced the flag. The flag had over eighty bullet holes in it by the time the battle had ended — a testament to the hard fighting done by this regiment.
The idea to honor Lilly’s act was also driven by another motivating forces. Lilly was mortally wounded at the battle of Wauhatchie, Tennessee. Although he was lying mortally wounded, Lilly had shared his blanket with a shivering enemy. The regiment wished to honor Lilly because of this compassionate act.
149th New York “Fourth Onodaga”
Members of the 12th Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade
Commanded by Colonel Henry A. Barnum (1833-1892)
Numbered 319; 6 killed, 46 wounded
Monument: North Slocum Avenue, Culp’s Hill