143d Pennsylvania Infantry
Posted to the Project on 04 Jun 08
The 143d Pennsylvania Infantry numbered just over 500 at Gettysburg. Raised from the counties of Luzerne and Susquehanna, it mustered in at Kingston Township (near Wilkes-Barre) in the late summer of 1862.
The regiment suffered fearful losses fighting along the Chambersburg Pike on July 1. It was later held in reserve along Cemetery Ridge. The first commander was Col. Edmund L. Dana (1817-1889), a Wilkes-Barre lawyer. When Dana was promoted to brigade command, Lt. Col. John D. Musser (1826-1864), of Lewisburg, took command of the 143rd. Musser was killed leading the regiment at the battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864.
The main regimental memorial is located at the intersection of the Chambersburg Pike and Reynolds Avenue. Dedicated on September 11, 1889, it consists of blue Westerly granite and stands 8′ in height. Costing $1,500.00, it was erected by the Smith Granite Company.
The monument features a large bas relief of a life sized soldier shaking his fist while carrying the regimental colors. This is Color Sgt. Ben Crippen, who defiantly shook his fist at the Confederates as his unit retreated. General A.P. Hill expressed sorrow when he saw Crippen finally fall. His body was never recovered.
A secondary monument is located on Hancock Avenue denoting the July 2 and 3 positions.
143d Pennsylvania Infantry
1st Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade
Engaged: 515; 21 killed, 141 wounded, 91 missing
Monument: Chambersburg Pike