126th New York Infantry

The 126th New York Infantry was raised from the counties of Ontario, Seneca, and Yates. It was organized at Geneva and mustered in on August 22, 1862. The regiment numbered just over 500 at Gettysburg.

Their commander is featured on a bronze bust on the front of the monument. His name was Col. Eliakim Sherill (1813-1863). Sherrill was a former Congressman (elected from Ulster County) and farmer in Geneva. He was mortally wounded in action on July 3, shot through the abdomen, and died the next day at the XI Corps field hospital.

After Sherill was mortally shot, command then devolved upon Lt. Col. James M. Bull. Bull (1825-1867) was an attorney from Canandaigua.

The regimental monument is located along Hancock Avenue at Ziegler’s Grove. This monument marks the regiment’s main position on July 3; on July 2, it was engaged near where the Pennsylvania Monument now stands. The monument is said to sit at the spot where Sherrill fell mortally wounded while helping to repulse Pickett’s Charge.

126th New York Infantry

2d Corps, 3d Division, 3d Brigade

Engaged: 511; 40 killed, 181 wounded, 10 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

Tags: Gettysburg, II Corps, Monument Project, New York, Ziegler Grove