6th New York Cavalry
One of the largest and most impressive monuments on the first day battlefield is dedicated to the 6th New York Cavalry.
The regiment was known as the Second Ira Harris Guard. It was recruited from New York City and the counties of Columbia, St. Lawrence, and Steuben. Their commander was Maj. William E. Beardsley (1826-1884), a tailor in New York City.
Although the regimental monument is located on Buford Avenue, near Oak Hill, this regiment was actually scattered about the Gettysburg battlefield.
Company A was at Third Corps headquarters; Companies D and K were at 2nd Corps headquarters. Company L was part of Buford’s division’s provost guard, while companies F and H were left behind at Yorktown, Virginia.
The regimental monument is impressive. It marks the regiment’s main July 1 position.
Shaped something like a castle, it is one of the largest and most grand monuments in the area.
The front features an excellent bronze relief of a cavalry charge. Carved granite horse heads are featured on each side of the castle turret.
6th New York Cavalry
Cavalry Corps, 1st Division, 2nd Brigade
407; 1 killed, 3 wounded, 8 missing
Monument: Buford Avenue
Tags: Buford Avenue, Cavalry Corps, Gettysburg, Monument Project, New York
The 6th. New York Cavalry monument suffered some major damage last October after it was struck by lighting. A lot of the joints were opened up and one of the turrets near the top was blasted off.
Nicely done, Jenny. Most people don’t know about the two companies at Yorktown during the campaign.
I was aware of the lightning damage — my pictures were ironically taken about a week before it happened. They were working on the monument when I returned in December. I now wish I had gotten some better and more detailed pictures of this monument. Every time I have ever stopped for it, I’ve either a) had a car in front of it that won’t move or b) the sun is all wrong.