The One Hundred Eighteenth Pennsylvania Infantry is honored by two monuments (one at the Loop and one on Big Round Top) and a position stone at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? September 12, 1889.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: granite; Base: granite with bronze relief.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 13 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. W. 4 ft. 3 in. x D. 4 ft. 3 in.
Who made it? Ryegate Granite Company, fabricator.
What does it depict? Full-length uniformed infantryman stands atop a tapered pedestal and rough-hewn base. The figure holds his rifle vertically, with both hands around the barrel and the butt at his proper left foot. There is a bronze State Seal relief on the front of the pedestal, above the Maltese cross corps insignia. Corn stalks are also included, denoting the regiment’s history as the “Philadelphia Corn Exchange Regiment.” Flank markers, 1′x1′x1’5″.
What does it honor? It indicates the position held by the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry to the right of the brigade line on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 as it sustained attacks by Kershaw’s brigade.
How is it inscribed? CORN EXCHANGE/18TH. PENNA. INFANTRY (On pedestal, right side:) 1ST BRIGADE/ANTIETAM TO/APPOMATTOX/TOTAL ENGAGEMENT/1500/KILLED AND MORTALLY/WOUNDED 136/WOUNDED 330/CAPTURED OR MISSING 290.
When was this photograph taken? March 23, 2012. Monument is faced somewhat northwest. This is the front and west side of the monument.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, West side of Sickles Avenue at curve of the Loop, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.
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
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Second Monument
Photographed: February 26, 2012.
Location: Big Round Top. Located on the northwest slope of Big Round Top along the old War Department trail to the summit. Can be accessed by walking behind the 9th Massachusetts Monument, or taking a single-track trail along the stonewall as you approach the summit. Marked by a RED pushpin on the above map.
Description: Granite monument decorated on front with relief of Maltese cross and shocks of corn, and at top capped with sculpture of a knapsack propped against cannon balls. This monument was dedicated on Dedicated Sept. 8, 1884. Base is three foot square. Overall height is eight foot.
Inscription: 118TH/PENN VOLS/CORN EXCHANGE REGT./1ST BRIGADE/1ST DIVISION 5TH CORPS/ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. ENGAGED IN ADVANCE/OF ‘WHEATFIELD’ JULY 2,/AND HELD THIS POSITION/JULY 3 AND 4, 1863.
Monument Title: Position Marker
Photographed: October 5, 2007.
Location: Wheatfield Road. Marked by a BLUE pushpin on the above map.
Description: Denotes the second position of the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Erected in 1886. Monument marks where Captain Davis of the regiment fell. Base 4′x2’9″, shaft 3’2″x2′, 5’4″ high.
At Gettysburg
The 118th Pennsylvania was also known as The Corn Exchange Regiment. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Tilton’s Brigade in Barnes’ Division of the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.
Commander: Lt. Col. James Gwyn (1828-1906). Merchant from Philadelphia. Wounded at the Wilderness.
Number Engaged: 332
Casualties: 3 killed, 19 wounded, 3 missing
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Capt. Richard W. Davids, Company G, of Philadelphia, killed on July 2
Soldiers Buried in the Pennsylvania Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Cpl. Samuel M. Caldwell, Company D, D-6
- Cpl. Charles F. Soby, Company I, D-18
General Information
Raised: Philadelphia.
Notable Facts: The 118th was known as the Corn Exchange Regiment because a bounty of $10 for each man, as well as the funds necessary for raising the regiment, were furnished by the Corn Exchange Association with their hall at 2nd and Gold Streets in Philadelphia.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Philadelphia May 15-30, 1862. Moved to Baltimore, Md., August 31; thence to Washington, D.C. Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.–Maryland Campaign September 6-24, 1862. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Shepherdstown Ford September 19. At Sharpsburg until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Reconnaissance to Richard’s and Ellis’ Fords, Rappahannock River, December 29-30. Burnside’s 2nd Campaign, “Mud March,” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Wapping Heights, Va., July 23. At Warrenton and Beverly Ford to September 17, and at Culpeper until October 11, Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. At Beverly Ford until May, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho Ford May 25. On 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. Weldon Railroad August 18-21. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28. Warren’s Expedition to Hicksford December 7-12. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Lewis Farm, near Gravelly Run, March 29. Junction of Quaker and Boydton Roads March 29. White Oak Road March 31. Five Forks April 1. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Washington, D.C., May 1-12. Grand Review May 23. Mustered out June 1, 1865. Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 132 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 111 Enlisted men by disease. Total 253.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
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