71st Pennsylvania Infantry

Today’s monument study is the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.

Located at the Angle on Cemetery Ridge, the 71st Pennsylvania was part of the famous “Philadelphia Brigade” under the command of General Alexander Webb at Gettysburg. The unit was nicknamed the “California Regiment” because it was accepted by the Federal government in June 1861 as part of California’s future quota of Union regiments. It was given the designation 1st California. After the death of the unit’s patron, Senator Edward D. Baker of Oregon, in the battle of Ball’s Bluff, the unit was redesignated the 71st Pennsylvania. The regiment came from mainly Philadelphia (9 companies) and New York City (1 company).

The commander of the 330 men at Gettysburg was Colonel Richard Penn Smith, Jr. (1837-1887), the son of the famous playwright. The 71st Pennsylvania was engaged heavily on both July 2 and in the repulse of Pickett’s Charge on July 3.

The monument was dedicated on June 30, 1887 and cost just over $1,750.00. It is made of Blue Westerly Granite and stands 10.5′ high. It is a rather plain and ordinary monument by Gettysburg standards; descriptions of the unit’s various actions are detailed on the die and the monument bears the seal of the state of Pennsylvania.

71st Pennsylvania Infantry “1st California” or “California Regiment”

Members of the 2nd Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commander:  Col. Richard Penn Smith, Jr. (1837-1887)

Engaged: 331; 21 killed, 58 wounded, 19 missing

Monument: Webb (Hancock) Avenue; Cemetery Ridge at the Angle

Tags: Angle, Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, II Corps, Monument Project, Pennsylvania