* 27th Connecticut Infantry
Posted to the Project on 03 Nov 07
Location: The Wheatfield.
Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 1st Division, 4th Brigade
Number Engaged: 160; 10 killed, 23 wounded, 4 missing
Commander: Lt. Col. Henry C. Merwin (1839-1863)
Raised: New Haven County. A nine-month regiment that mustered out shortly after the battle.
Monument Specifications: Four-sided shaft stands on a square pedestal on a tiered base. Relief elements include the Connecticut coat of arms, the insignia of the Union II Corps and a trefoil. An eagle with outstretched wings tops the monument. It marks the place where Col. Henry Merwin was killed while leading the regiment through the field towards Rose Grove. It was placed by the Regimental Association and cost $950.00.
Dedication Date: Installed 1885. Dedicated Oct. 22, 1885.
Sculptor/Artist/Company: St. Johnsbury Granite Company, fabricator.
Other Monuments and Memorials: There are four, including two memorial stones to regimental officers. Monument, Brooke Avenue, on the Stony Hill. Rectangular monument with a peaked cap stands on a rough-hewn base. Relief elements include the State of Connecticut coat of arms, crossed muskets and crossed sabers. The State of Connecticut appropriated $1,000 for the work on April 17, 1889. It was placed and dedicated on October 27, 1889. It marks the advanced position of the 27th Connecticut. “Erected by the Commonwealth of Connecticut As a Memorial to the Valor of Her Loyal Sons.” Marker, Rose Grove, north of monument located on Brooke Avenue. Small stone tablet, mounted on a boulder, denotes the advanced position of the 27th Connecticut on July 2. This marker was dedicated at the same time as the main regimental monument in the Wheatfield on October 22, 1885. It is inscribed, This tablet indicates the advanced position of the 27th Regt. Conn. Vols. in its charge the afternoon of July 2, 1863. In addition to these two monument/markers, there are also memorial stones for two regimental officers. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Czar Merwin (1839-1863) commanded the regiment. His stone is inscribed, In memory of / Lt. Col. Henry Czar Merwin / 27th C.V. / who fell mortally / wounded where / the monument of his / regiment stands. Captain Jed Chapman commanded Company H. His stone is inscribed, Here fell / Jed. Chapman / Capt. Co. H / 27th Conn. Vols. Both stones were placed in the early 1880s.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at New Haven October, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., October 22. Attached to Military District of Washington to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1863. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, to July, 1863.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington, D.C., until November 7, 1862. Advance to Falmouth, Va., November 7-19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April 27. 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. Mustered out July 27, 1863. Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 42 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 22 Enlisted men by disease. Total 68.
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I’m doing research for a book and the 27th Connecticut comes into it. Could you tell me where you got your information for the Wheatfield battle so I could verify? If the Wheatfield was on July 2; what occurred on the 3rd for the 27th?
Information on the 27th at Gettysburg is hard to come by because of the small number engaged. From what I can determine from my research they were in reserve in an area a few 100 yards to the south of the Pennsylvania Monument on July 3rd.