The Twenty First Pennsylvania Cavalry is honored by two monuments at Gettysburg, one denoting where Sandoe was killed, the other to the regiment.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Oct. 5, 1893. Erected Nov. 22-28, 1893.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: granite with bronze reliefs; Base: granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. 9 ft. x 3 ft. 2 in. x 3 ft. 2 in.; Base: approx. W. 5 ft. x D. 5 ft.
Who made it? Elwell, Frank Edwin, 1858-1922, sculptor. John Ferguson (Firm), fabricator.
What does it depict? Monument consists of a polished sphere finial to which is affixed a high relief of a horse’s head. The finial stands on a tiered pedestal and base. A square relief of the Pennsylvania State Seal is affixed to the front face.
What does it honor? Monument indicates the spot where Private George Sandoe of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry was killed on June 26, 1863, making the first Union soldier killed at Gettysburg.
How is it inscribed? 21ST PENNA/CAVALRY/NEAR THIS SPOT ON JUNE 26TH 1863 FELL/PRIVATE GEORGE W. SANDOE/AN ADVANCE SCOUT OF A COMPANY OF VOLUNTEER CAVALRY/AFTERWARDS CO. B 21ST PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY/THE FIRST UNION SOLDIER KILLED AT GETTYSBURG
When was this photograph taken? December 10, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, East side of Baltimore Pike, north of Granite Schoolhouse Lane, south of Colgrove Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Second Monument
Photographed: December 10, 2011.
Location: Baltimore Pike. Monument is located literally yards away from the main regimental monument and is marked on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Vertical, rectangular marker with a triangular top stands on a base. A relief on the front depicts a horse’s head inside a downturned horseshoe. There are crossed sabers below the horse. Dedicated Oct. 14, 1894. This is the second monument to the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry. It was erected by surviving members of the regiment and funded through private donations. It stands near where Private George Sandoe was killed on June 26, 1863, in an early skirmish of the Gettysburg campaign.
At Gettysburg
The 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry served as a member of the Department of the Susquehanna.
Commander: Colonel William H. Boyd
General Information
Raised: The Twenty-first Cavalry was recruited during the months of July and August, 1863, by authority of Governor Curtin, under the President’s call of June 15th, for cavalry for six months’ service. Company B was raised from Adams County.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
The original 21st Cavalry as organized at Harrisburg and Chambersburg June 28-August 1, 1863, for six months. Companies “C,” “E,” “H,” “K,” “L,” “M,” duty at Pottsville, Pa., and Scranton, Pa., and Company “B” at Gettysburg, Pa. Companies “A,” “D,” “F,” “G” and “I” ordered to Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., August 23, 1863. Attached to Cavalry Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. West Virginia, to February, 1864. Duty about Harper’s Ferry, W. Va. Expedition from Charlestown to New Market November 15-18 (Detachment). Mount Jackson November 16. Wells’ demonstration from Harper’s Ferry December 10-21. Skirmish at Winchester January 3, 1864. Mustered out February 20, 1864. The 21st was organized as a 3-year unit at Harrisburg February, 1864. (Co. “D” detached April 1, 1864, and duty at Scranton, Pa., entire term.) Regiment moved to Washington, D. C., May 15, 1864, thence to Join Army Potomac in the field, arriving at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, to October, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry corps, Army Potomac, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, to July, 1865. Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 80 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 116 Enlisted men by disease. Total 202.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
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