The Sixth New York Cavalry is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Installed 1889. Dedicated July 11, 1889.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: Quincy granite; Relief: bronze; Base: granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 25 ft. 9 in.; Base: approx. W. 14 ft. x D. 10 ft.
Who made it? Kelly, James Edward, 1855-1933, sculptor. Frederick & Field, fabricator. Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company, founder.
What does it depict? Castle-like monument is comprised of smooth and rough-hewn surfaces and relief plaques on the front and back sides. Rounded pilasters adjoin the ends of the monument, and are capped by Grecian horse heads on the sides. The finial is shaped like a spire with turrets at each corner. Reliefs of the New York State Seal and the crossed-sword Cavalry insignia are affixed the the front of the monument, above and below the battle relief, respectively. The relief on the front depicts a battle scene. An officer on horseback urges his men on, holding the reins in his proper left hand and an upraised sword in his proper right hand. Other mounted figures include a bugler and a mortally wounded color bearer. The plaque on the reverse contains a waist-length relief of Major-General Thomas Devin. The figure stands cross-armed and wears a uniform, wide-brimmed hat and mustache. Flanking markers are one foot square.
What does it honor? It indicates the position held by dismounted troopers of the unit on the morning of July 1, 1863 against the advance of Heth’s Confederate division.
How is it inscribed? REGIMENT ORGANIZED IN NEW YORK CITY./MUSTERED INTO SERVICE/SEPTEMBER, 1861. RE-ENLISTED AS/VETERAN VOLUNTEERS AT/CULPEPER COURT HOUSE, VA,/DEC. 16, 1863. MUSTERED OUT OF/SERVICE JUNE 17, 1865./TOTAL NUMBER ENLISTED 1969./TOTAL CASUALTIES, OFFICERS 34,/ MEN 382
When was this photograph taken? December 11, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Buford Avenue, east side, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located near the center of Buford Avenue.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered. The monument was recently struck by lightning and repaired.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
The 6th New York Cavalry was also known as The Ira Harris Guard. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Devin’s Brigade in Buford’s Division of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Commander: Maj. William E. Beardsley (1826-1884). Tailor in New York City.
Number Engaged: 407
Casualties: 1 killed, 3 wounded, 8 missing
Soldiers Buried in the New York Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Pvt. Thomas S. Gannon, Company D, A-104
General Information
Raised: New York City and the counties of Columbia, St. Lawrence, and Steuben
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Regiment organized at New York City September 12 to December 19, 1861, under special authority of the War Department, as the Ira Harris Guard. Turned over to State of New York as 6th Cavalry November 20, 1861. Companies were mustered in as follows: “A” September 12, “B” September 27, “D” September 28, “C” September 29, “E” October 3, “F” and “G” October 24, “H” October 28, “I” November 2, “L” November 6, “K” and “M” December 19, 1861. Left State for York, Pa., December 23, 1861, and duty there until March, 1862. Ordered to Washington, D.C., March, 1862, and duty in the Defenses of that city (8 Cos.) until July 23, 1862. (Cos. “D” and “K” served detached with 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, March, 1862, to July, 1863, and Cos. “F” and “H” served detached with 4th Army Corps March, 1862, to August, 1863, and in the Defenses of Washington, D.C., 22nd Army Corps, to October, 1863.) Regiment attached to Military District of Washington, D.C., March to July, 1862. 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, August to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, Pleasonton’s Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to July, 1865. (Co. “A” detached with 6th Army Corps, September, 1862. Cos. “B” and “C” with 9th Army Corps, January and February, 1863. Co. “A” with 22nd Army Corps July and August, 1863.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington (8 Cos.) until July 23, 1862. Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 5-May 4 (Cos. “D” and “K”). Battle of Williamsburg May S (Cos. “D” and “K”). Seven Pines or Fair Oaks May 31-June 1 (Co. “K”). Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1 (Cos. “D,” “F,” “H,” “K”). Peach Orchard and Savage Station June 29. Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Regiment moved to Warrenton, Va., July 23-26. Scout and outpost duty on the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers at Barnett’s Ford, Va., July and August. Orange Court House August 14. Culpeper Road August 19. Barnett’s Ford August 26. Kelly’s Ford August 30. Williamsburg September 9. Near Hyattstown September 9-10. Frederick City September 12. South Mountain September 14. Antietam September 16-17. Lovettsville October 3. Reconnaissance to Smithville, W. Va., October 16-17. Kearneysville October 16. Charlestown October 16-17. Near Lovettsville October 21. Near Wheatland October 21. Snickersville October 22. Union and Bloomfield November 2-3. Ashby’s Gap November 3. Upperville November 3. Waterloo Bridge November 7. Ellis Ford December 1. Fredericksburg December 12-15. Reconnaissance from Yorktown December 11-15 (Detachment). Matthews County Court House December 12. Buena Vista December 13. Wood’s Cross Roads December 14. Expedition from Yorktown to West Point and White House January 7-9, 1863 (Detachment). Pamunkey River January 8. Expedition to Gloucester Court House April 7 (Detachment). Fort Magruder April 11 (Detachment). Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Germanis and Richard’s Fords April 29. Crook’s Run April 29. Spottsylvania Court House April 30. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. West Point May 7 (Detachment). Warwick River June 5. Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Middleburg June 22. Haymarket June 24-25. Dix’s Peninsula Campaign June 24-July 7 (3rd Battalion). Expedition from White House to Bottom’s Bridge July 1-7 (3rd Battalion). Crump’s or Baltimore Cross Roads July 2 (3rd Battalion). Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport July 6. Boonsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek, Md., July 9. Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Manassas Gap July 21-22. Wapping Heights July 23. Barber’s Cross Roads July 25. Kelly’s Ford July 31-August 1. Brandy Station August 1-3. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-15 and 19. Reconnaissance across the Rapidan September 21-23. Jack’s Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton’s Fords October 10. Kelly’s Ford and Stevensburg October 11. Brandy Station or Fleetwood October 12. Near Bristoe Station October 14. Oak Hill October 15. Culpeper October 17-18. Bealeton October 24-26. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Muddy Run November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Parker’s Store November 29. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Barnett’s Ford February 6-7. Kilpatrick’s Raid on Richmond February 28-March 4. Near Taylorstown, Beaver Dam Station, Frederick’s Hall and South Anna Bridge February 29. Defenses of Richmond March 1. Aylett’s March 2. Kings and Queens Court House March 3. Carrollton’s Store March 11. Rapidan Campaign May-June. Wilderness May 5-7. Brock Road and the Furnaces May 6. Todd’s Tavern May 7-8. Spottsylvania May 8. Sheridan’s Raid to James River May 9-24. North Anna May 9-10. Ground Squirrel Church and Yellow Tavern May 11. Fortifications of Richmond and Meadow Bridge May 12. Jones’ Bridge May 17. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Crump’s Creek and Hanovertown May 27, Totopotomoy May 28-31. Haw’s Shop May 28. Old Church and Mattadequin Creek May 30. Cold Harbor May 31-June 6. Bethesda Church May 31-June 1. Sheridan’s Trevillian Raid June 7-24. Trevillian Station June 11-12. Newark or Mallory’s Cross Roads June 12. White House or St. Peter’s Church June 21. Black Creek or Tunstall’s Station June 21. Jones’ Bridge June 23, Charles City Court House June 23. Before Petersburg June 26-July 30. Deep Bottom July 27-28. Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-November 28. Berryville August 10 and 13. Tell Gate near White Post and Newtown August 11. Front Royal August 11. Cedar Creek August 12. Cedarville, Guard Hill or Front Royal and Crooked Run August 16. Charlestown August 21. Kearneyville and near Shephardstown August 25. Leetown and Smithfield August 28. Smithfield Crossing Opequan August 29. Berryville September 3. Bunker Hill September 13. Sevier’s Ford, Opequan Creek, September 15. Battle of Winchester September 19. Middletown and Strasburg September 20. Fisher’s Hill September 21. Near Edenburg September 23. Mr. Jackson September 23-24. New Market September 24. Port Republic September 26:27. Waynesboro September 29. Mt. Crawford October 2. Tom’s Brook, “Woodstock Races” October 8-9. Hupp’s Hill near Strasburg October 14. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Woodstock October 20. Near Kernstown November ll. Newtown November 12. Hood’s Hill November 22. Expedition from Winchester into Faquier and Loudoun Counties November 28-December 3. Expedition to Gordonsville December 19-28. Jack’s. Shop near Gordonsville December 23. Lovettsville January 18, 1865. Sheridan’s Raid from Winchester February 27-March 25. Waynesboro March 2. Occupation of Staunton March 2. Charlottesville March 3. Goochland Court House March 11. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Dinwiddie Court House March 30-31. Five Forks April 1. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Scott’s Cross Roads April 2. Deep Creek April 3. Tabernacle Church or Beaver Pond Creek April 4. Sailor’s Creek April 6. Appomattox Station April 8. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Expedition to Danville April 23-29. Moved to Washington, D.C., May. Grand Review May 23. Consolidated with 15th New York Cavalry June 17, 1865, to form 2nd Regiment Provisional Cavalry. Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 72 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 133 Enlisted men by disease. Total 214.
New York at Gettysburg
New York Infantry 10th Infantry :: 12th Infantry :: 33rd Infantry :: 39th Infantry :: 40th Infantry :: 41st Infantry :: 42nd Infantry :: 43rd Infantry :: 44th Infantry :: 45th Infantry :: 49th Infantry :: 52nd Infantry :: 54th Infantry :: 57th Infantry :: 58th Infantry :: 59th Infantry :: 60th Infantry :: 61st Infantry :: 62nd Infantry :: 63rd Infantry :: 64th Infantry :: 65th Infantry :: 66th Infantry :: 67th Infantry :: 68th Infantry :: 69th Infantry :: 70th Infantry :: 71st Infantry :: 72nd Infantry :: 73rd Infantry :: 74th Infantry :: 76th Infantry :: 77th Infantry :: 78th Infantry :: 80th Infantry :: 82nd Infantry :: 83rd Infantry :: 84th Infantry :: 86th Infantry :: 88th Infantry :: 94th Infantry :: 95th Infantry :: 97th Infantry :: 102nd Infantry :: 104th Infantry :: 107th Infantry :: 108th Infantry :: 111th Infantry :: 119th Infantry :: 120th Infantry :: 121st Infantry :: 122nd Infantry :: 123rd Infantry :: 124th Infantry :: 125th Infantry :: 126th Infantry :: 134th Infantry :: 136th Infantry :: 137th Infantry :: 140th Infantry :: 145th Infantry :: 146th Infantry :: 147th Infantry :: 149th Infantry :: 150th Infantry :: 154th Infantry :: 157th Infantry :: New York Cavalry :: 2nd Regiment :: 4th Regiment :: 5th Regiment :: 6th Regiment :: 8th Regiment :: 9th Regiment :: 10th Regiment :: Oneida Company :: New York Artillery :: 1st Artillery B (14th attached) :: 1st Artillery C :: 1st Artillery D :: 1st Artillery G :: 1st Artillery I :: 1st Artillery K (11th attached) :: 1st Artillery E&L :: 1st Artillery M :: 1st Independent :: 3rd Independent :: 4th Independent :: 5th Independent :: 6th Independent :: 10th Independent :: 13th Independent :: 15th Independent
3 Comments
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.