66th New York Infantry

The 66th New York was one of the many units sacrificed in the raging cauldron of the Wheatfield. So many units fought on the Federal side in the Wheatfield that there is a virtual sea of granite and stone and bronze in this area.

The 66th’s monument is rather plain and non-descript. The back of the monument, however, features a bronze relief entitled “Peace and Unity.” It depicts a Union and Confederate soldier shaking hands.

The monument was paid for using the state appropriation of $1,500.00. It was dedicated on October 8, 1889. It consists of Maine Hallowell granite and it was sculpted by Byron M. Pickett (1833-1907) of New York City. It is located on Sickles Avenue on the edge of the Wheatfield near the rise in the road that becomes the Loop.

The 66th New York was nicknamed the Governor’s Guard. It was raised in New York City in November 1861. Although a small regiment, it suffered heavily in the Wheatfield as reflected by the fact that it went through three commanders.

The first was Col. Orlando H. Morris (1835-1864), a Columbia-educated lawyer. He was wounded on July 2 and later killed at Cold Harbor.

After Morris, Lt. Col. John S. Hammell (1842-1873), a Philadelphia merchant, took command. After Hammell too fell wounded, Maj. Peter A. Nelson (d. 1899), a Danish born builder from Westchester took command.

66th New York Infantry

2d Corps, 1st Division, 3d Brigade

176; 5 killed, 29 wounded, 10 missing

Monument: Sickles Avenue

Tags: Gettysburg, II Corps, Monument Project, New York, Wheatfield