Draw the Sword

Ulster Guard

A Fighting 300 Regiment

Location: Reynolds Avenue

Order of Battle: 1st Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade

Number Engaged: 375; 35 killed, 111 wounded, 24 missing

Commander: Col. Theodore B. Gates (1825-1911)

Raised: Ulster County

Monument Specifications: The monument consists of a rectangular capped pedestal with a relief of an encircled open hand at the top; and the New York State Seal on the lower front. There are polished pilasters on the corners of the pedestal. The monument sits atop a rough-hewn base. The monument marks the approximate position held by 80th New York Infantry, formerly the 20th New York State Militia, from the late morning into the afternoon until forced to retire by the Confederate advance. The top of the die features a circular bronze plaque that reads “This Hand For My Country.”

Dedication Date: October 4, 1888.

Sculptor/Artist/Company: Frederick & Field, fabricator.

Main Inscription: HELD SUBSTANTIALLY THIS POSITION/FROM ABOUT 12 M. JULY 1ST 1863 TO 4 P.M./JULY 2 ON CEMETERY HILL/IN SUPPORT OF 3D CORPS./JULY 3D IN FRONT LINE OF BATTLE/RESISTING PICKETT’S ATTACK./NUMBERS ENGAGED 375/KILLED 35, WOUNDED 111, MISSING 24.

Other Monuments and Memorials: There is a July 3rd position marker along Hancock Avenue was dedicated on July 3, 1981. It commemorates the action of the 20th New York State Militia in the repulse of Longstreet’s assault against the Union line on Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Col. Theodore B. Gates (will open a pop up window).

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

Tendered services to Government February, 1861. Organized at Kingston, N.Y., from 20th Regiment State Militia Infantry and mustered in September 20 to October 20, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., October 26. Designated 80th New York Infantry December 7, 1861. Attached to Wadsworth’s Brigade, McDowell’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. Patrick’s 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. 2nd Brigade, King’s Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps, Pope’s Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1863. Patrick’s Command, Provost Guard, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, to July, 1863. Provost Guard, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1864. City Point, Va., Provost Guard Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1865. Independent Brigade, 9th Army Corps, to April, 1865. Richmond, Va., Dept. of Virginia, to November, 1865. Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., Dept. of Virginia, to January, 1866.

SERVICE.–Duty at Upton’s Hill, Defenses of Washington, D.C., until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. McDowell’s advance on Falmouth, Va., April 4-19. Occupation of Fredericksburg until May 25. McDowell’s advance on Richmond May 26-29. Duty at Fredericksburg until August. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Fords of the Rappahannock August 20-23. Beverly Ford August 20. Sulphur Springs August 26. Battles of Gainesville August 28; Groveton August 29; Bull Run August 30; Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September 6-22. Battles of South Mountain September 14; Antietam September 16-17. At Sharpsburg, Md., until October 20. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 20-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Duty at Hall’s Landing December 20, 1862, to January 7, 1863. Provost Guard duty at Aquia Creek and along Richmond and Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad until June 27. Relieved and ordered to join 1st Army Corps June 27. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Provost Guard duty, Army of the Potomac, July 16, 1863, to June 18, 1864. Participating in the Bristoe Campaign October 9-22, 1863. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James May 3-June 15, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21; North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Assigned to garrison and guard duty at City Point, Va., Headquarters of the Army, June 18, 1864, to April 14, 1865. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Provost duty at Richmond April 14 to November 27, 1865, and at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., until January 29, 1866. Mustered out January 29, 1866. Regiment lost during service 8 Officers and 120 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 157 Enlisted men by disease. Total 285.