** ** 27th Connecticut Infantry
Posted to the Project on 03 Nov 07
Although the 27th Connecticut only had had three companies and 160 men at Gettysburg, it has multiple monuments on the battlefield (five in the Wheatfield area, including two “major” monuments).
A nine-month regiment raised from New Haven County in October 1862, the regiment was virtually destroyed at Chancellorsville. Only companies D & F survived the blood-letting and mass capture. To these two companies, a third company was added prior to Gettysburg. The regiment was set to muster out at the end of July.
Their commander was Lt. Col. Henry C. Merwin (1839-1863), a native of Brookfield. He was killed on July 2 (a marker is placed in the Wheatfield where he fell). Maj. James H. Coburn (1836-1899) took command from Merwin.
Coburn was a merchant from New Haven.
The main monument is a large granite shaft surmounted by an eagle with outspread wings. It is located in the Wheatfield. Dedicated October 22, 1885, it was placed by the Regimental Association and cost $950.00. The monument consists of St. Johnsbury Granite.
In the later 1880s, Connecticut appropriated $1,000.00 to each unit to erect a monument at Gettysburg. The 27th Connecticut used this money to erect a relatively simple “Advanced Position” monument along Brooke Avenue. This memorial was dedicated April 17, 1889.
Small markers that locate the places Col. Merwin and Capt. Jed Chapman, respectively, were killed as well as another advanced position marker are also located in the Wheatfield area.
27th Connecticut Infantry
2nd Corps, 1st Division, 4th Brigade
Lt. Col. Henry C. Merwin (1839-1863)
Engaged: 160; 10 killed, 23 wounded, 4 missing
Monument: Wheatfield. Secondary monument along Brooke Avenue.
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.
Dedication Date: Installed 1885. Dedicated Oct. 22, 1885.
Sculptor/Artist/Company: St. Johnsbury Granite Company, fabricator.
Other Monuments & Markers: 1) Monument, Brooke Avenue, Rose Grove. 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. 2) Marker, Rose Grove, north of monument. There are also two markers to fallen officers of this regiment, Capt. Jed Chapman and Colonel Henry Merwin.
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.
August 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
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?
September 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
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.