86th New York Infantry

Gettysburg monuments can have many themes. The monument to the 86th New York highlights sacrifice and tragedy.

Nicknamed the “Steuben Rangers,” the 86th was raised mainly from the counties of Steuben and Chemung. The commander at Gettysburg was Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Higgins (1826-1891), the chief engineer of the Syracuse fire department. When he fell wounded on July 2, Maj. Jacob H. Lansing (1824-1885) took command of the approximately 300 men in the regiment.

The regiment suffered 11 killed, 51 wounded, and 4 missing in action on July 2 in the woods between the Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield.

The monument appears rather plain and is generally just past by visitors shuttling between Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield areas; this area is literally filled with monuments ranging from boring to interesting.

However, this rather ordinary looking granite monument features a unique and poignant bronze relief on the front that makes it distinguishable from the many similar looking monuments that proliferate this area of the field. The relief shows a woman — a mother — mourning the loss of her son who has fallen on the battlefield. The relief contains the words: “I yield him unto his Country and to his God.” Few monuments at Gettysburg reflect the sacrifice made here more.

Other features include the state crest and a diamond — symbolic of the Union third corps.

86th New York Infantry

Members of the 3rd Corps, 1st Division, 2nd Brigade

Commanded by:  Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Higgins (1826-1891)

Engaged: 286; 11 killed, 51 wounded, 4 missing

Monument: Sickles Avenue; woods between the Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield

Tags: Devils Den, Gettysburg, III Corps, Monument Project, New York