The Sixty Third Pennsylvania Infantry is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Sept. 11, 1889.
What is it made out of? Granite; Relief plaque: bronze; Base: granite.
What size is it? Overall: approx. H. 11 ft. 5 in.
Who made it? C. Van Gunden, Young & Drumm, fabricator. Bureau Brothers, founder.
What does it depict? A cylindrical granite monument topped with the Third Corps diamond symbol is adorned on the front with a bronze relief plaque depicting the Pennsylvania state seal. Monument is a cylindrical granite shaft that is twelve foot in circumference that has a rough and smooth striped dome cap containing a four-sided diamond finial and set on a cylindrical, tapered rough hewn base that is 16.4 foot-in-circumference. The shaft has raised inscription panels and a bronze state seal on the east face. Overall height is 11.5 foot.
What does it honor? The monument marks the general position held by skirmishers of the 63rd Pennsylvania on July 2, 1863.
How is it inscribed? 63D PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY/(list of battles)/(On back:) PRESENT AT GETTYSBURG/296 OFFICERS AND MEN/KILLED 1 MAN: WOUNDED 3 OFFICERS AND 26 MEN/CAPTURED OR MISSING 4 MEN (On front:) MUSTERED IN AT PITTSBURGH PA/AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1861/MUSTERED OUT JULY 31ST – SEPTEMBER 9TH 1864 (On base:) 1ST BRIGADE 1ST DIVISION 3D CORPS (On bronze plaque:) BUREAU BROS. PHILA
When was this photograph taken? November 15, 2009.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Intersection of Emmitsburg and Wheatfield Roads, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Emmitsburg Road and Wheatfield Road. It is enclosed on two sides by a War Department board fence.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
The 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry served as a member of Graham’s Brigade in Birney’s Division of the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.
Commander: Maj. John A. Danks (1826-1896). Iron worker in Etna. Wounded at Fair Oaks and the Wilderness. Served in Pennsylvania legislature after the War.
Number Engaged: 296
Casualties: 1 killed, 29 wounded, 4 missing
Soldiers Buried in the Pennsylvania Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Cpl. David Stoup, Company E, A-72 (disease)
After Action Report: After Action Report of Maj. John A. Danks (will open a pop up window).
General Information
Raised: Allegheny and Clarion counties.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Pittsburg August, 1861. Left State for Washington, D. C., August 26. Attached to Jameson’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division, Army Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to August, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to September, 1864.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington, D. C., until March, 1862. Reconnaissance to Pohick Church and the Occoquan November 12, 1861. Pohick Church and the Occoquan March 5, 1862 (Detachment). Moved to the Peninsula March 16-18. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines) May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Oak Grove June 25. Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Duty at Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Movement to Centreville August 16-26. Bristoe Station or Kettle Run August 27. Buckland’s Bridge, Broad Run, August 27. Battles of Groveton August 29; Bull Run August 30; Chantilly September 1. Duty in the Defenses of Washington and guarding fords in Maryland until October. March up the Potomac to Leesburg, thence to Falmouth, Va., October 11-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. Burnside’s second 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. Whapping Heights, Va., July 23. Duty on line of the Rappahannock until October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Auburn and Bristoe October 13-14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Kelly’s Ford November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne’s Farm November 27. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Po River May 10; Spottsylvania C. H. May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. Harris’ Farm May 19. North Anna River May 23-26. Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 29-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg and Richmond June 16-September 5. Weldon Railroad June 22-23. Demonstration on north side of the James River at Deep Bottom July 27-29. Deep Bottom July 27-28. Mine Explosion July 30 (Reserve). Demonstration on north side of the James August 13-20. Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 105th Pennsylvania September 5, 1864. Mustered out September 9, 1864. Regiment lost during service 17 Officers and 169 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 133 Enlisted men by disease. Total 320.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
1st Reserve :: 2nd Reserve :: 5th Reserve :: 6th Reserve :: 9th Reserve :: 10th Reserve :: 11th Reserve :: 12th Reserve :: 13th Reserve :: 11th Infantry :: 23rd Infantry :: 26th Infantry :: 26th Emergency :: 27th Infantry :: 28th Infantry :: 29th Infantry :: 46th Infantry :: 49th Infantry :: 53rd Infantry :: 56th Infantry :: 57th Infantry :: 61st Infantry :: 62nd Infantry :: 63rd Infantry :: 68th Infantry :: 69th Infantry :: 71st Infantry :: 72nd Infantry :: 73rd Infantry :: 74th Infantry :: 75th Infantry :: 81st Infantry :: 82nd Infantry :: 83rd Infantry :: 84th Infantry :: 88th Infantry :: 90th Infantry :: 91st Infantry :: 93rd Infantry :: 95th Infantry :: 96th Infantry :: 98th Infantry :: 99th Infantry :: 102nd Infantry :: 105th Infantry :: 106th Infantry :: 107th Infantry :: 109th Infantry :: 110th Infantry :: 111th Infantry :: 114th Infantry :: 115th Infantry :: 116th Infantry :: 118th Infantry :: 119th Infantry :: 121st Infantry :: 139th Infantry :: 140th Infantry :: 141st Infantry :: 142nd Infantry :: 143rd Infantry :: 145th Infantry :: 147th Infantry :: 148th Infantry :: 149th Infantry :: 150th Infantry :: 151st Infantry :: 153rd Infantry :: 155th Infantry :: Cavalry :: 1st Regiment :: 2nd Regiment :: 3rd Regiment :: 4th Regiment :: 6th Regiment :: 8th Regiment :: 16th Regiment :: 17th Regiment :: 18th Regiment :: 21st Regiment :: Artillery :: 1st Artillery B :: 1st Artillery F&G :: 3rd Artillery H :: Independent C&F :: Independent E
10 Comments
I am researching the performance of the 63rd Pennsylvania at the battle of Glendale. I am interested in learning about its training and preparation for the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. Can you point me toward any resources describing the mustering and training of the 63rd?
Thank You,
Dan Peterjohn
Under the red patch and General hay’s personal letters are available online and will give you by far the most information. The book was written by his son and a member of the 63rd, I believe the after action report is listed in the book and also his letters. I had two ancestors in Company K Washington Bell, and Sam Mcdowel they both somehow survived the war.(61-64) Any information as to why their company was called Hay’s Guards, I would greatly appreciate.
hi Jerry -
Sam McDowell was my great grandfather. His son William Elmer Mcdowell was my maternal grandfather. They were called Hays Guards because they were quite proud of and loyal to Alexander Hays their commander who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. Any more McDowell information would be appreciated.
My g-g-uncle John Stewart Hunter served with Co. E, 63rd. Like to talk to anyone else related to E/63 at Gettysburg.
Thank you so much for the information. I knew they loved him. He was a great commander. Have you ever read his personal letters? just Google his name. I have letters from Washington Bell in Co K that mention Sam quite a bit. He was tough. Never missed a battle. Was right at the point of attack at Fredicksburg. Sam had a brother Bergen Mcdowell he was an officer in the 62nd. Worked his was up. i can be contacted at jerryandlisab724@hotmail.com I know where you can go to see pictures of Sam after the war. Him and his brother.
I would like to add. If you search for your relative in the NY times. If he is in there it will pull up the article of the day it was reported from the telegraph or however. For example I found when he was wounded found another where him and several of the 63rd member’s and people from other regiments. 50 or so. Were left to die pretty much and were captured by the rebel Calvary. They had camp fever (drank bad water) and the Army left them to chase the confederates. You will not find a better place to research.
I would like to contact Jerry Benard, it appears he is related to Washington Bell as he has his letters. I am related to Washington as his mother, Susan Kearns and dad Robert Bell were brother and sister to my great grandparents John Kearns and Kesiah Bell. I tired the email and it did not work. Thanks.
As mentioned before I would like to contact Jerry Benard and also, Mark Lea Heter as they both seem to be associated with Washington Bell. Bell would be by 1st cousin twice removed as my great grandparents were were related to him as his Uncle and Aunt – John and Kesiah (Bell) Kearns. Thus, Washington’s parents were Robert and Susan (Kearns) Bell. Susan died in 1859 and Robert married Isabella McDowell and the 1860 Census shows Sam and Bergen McDowell were living in that household – I believe they were brothers of Isabella. So, an association with the McDowells. Grant Kearns, 19758 Wolford-Maskill Road, Marysville, Ohio 43040. Thank you.
hi Jerry Benard here. I can be contacted at jerrybenard@hotmail.com sorry for the delay.
They were brothers of Isabella. Washington Bell Was the oldest son of Robert Bell from his first marriage. Robert Bell’s Youngest son George was my Great grandfather. Robert Bell owned Bell Coal in Mansfield now present day Carnegie. He is buried in Sewickley, PA