13th Pennsylvania Reserves

The 13th Pennsylvania Reserves (42nd Regiment) were one of the more famous regiments present with the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg.

Nicknamed “The Bucktails,” the regiment earned that nickname through the expert marksman among its ranks. Each man adorned his kepi with the tail of a deer he had shot — hence the name “Bucktails.”

The monument to the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves consists of red westerly granite. Featuring the name “Bucktails” the monument’s main focus is a 7′ tall staute of a soldier with a bucktail adorned kepi.

The regiment was raised from the counties of Tioga, Cameron, Carbon, Chester, Elk, McKean, Perry, and Warren. Their commander was Col. Charles F. Taylor (1840-1863), a Kennnett Square farmer killed at Gettysburg. A marker near the main regimental monument marks where the youthful Col. Taylor was killed on July 2. Command fell then to Maj. William Ro. Hartshorne (1839-1905), a lumberman from Curwensville.

13th Pennsylvania Reserves (Bucktails; 42nd Regiment; 1st Rifles)

5th Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade

Commanded by: Col. Charles F. Taylor (1840-1863)

Engaged: 349; 7 killed, 39 wounded, 2 missing

Monument: Ayres Avenue, woods near Day’s Hill and the Wheatfield. Marker nearby to where Col. Taylor was killed on July 2.

Tags: Gettysburg, Monument Project, Pennsylvania, V Corps, Wheatfield