About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? July 2, 1886.

What is it made out of? Monument: granite with bronze adornment; Base: stone.

What size is it? Overall: approx. H. 6 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. x 3 ft.

Who made it? Hunton, J. F., fabricator. Thos. Nahn Granite Works, fabricator.

What does it depict? Costing just $600.00, the monument was designed by Major Frank Rice of the 31st Massachusetts. Although simple and perhaps unimpressive to modern visitors, the monument is meant to symbolize the men of the Granite state who were, in the words of the regimental scribe William A. Child, “hard, enduring, patient, and unmovable.” Monument comprised of an octagonal mid-section with bronze text plaques, topped by a large boulder.

How is it inscribed? Here July 2, 1863, from 5 p.m. till 7 the 5th N.H. Vols. stood and fought. Total engaged 182. Killed or mortally wounded 31. Total killed and wounded 81. On this spot fell mortally wounded Edward E. Cross, Col. 5th N.H. Vols. Comdg. 1st. Brigade, 1st. Division, 2nd Corps. July 2nd, 1863.

When was this photograph taken? April 15, 2011.

Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Ayres Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located along Ayres Avenue in the woods just behind the Wheatfield.

Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.

Has this monument been moved or changed? Originally, the inscriptions were incised onto the octagonal sides of the granite middle marker; but when they proved difficult to read and errors were discovered, they were covered over with bronze text tablets. The tablets were added in 1901.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

At Gettysburg

The 5th New Hampshire Infantry was also known as The Bloodless Fifth. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Cross’ Brigade in Caldwell’s Division of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.

Commander: Lt. Col. Charles Hapgood (1830-1909). Merchant in Amherst. Wounded at Petersburg.

Number Engaged: 182.

Casualties: 27 killed and 53 wounded.

Officers Killed at Gettysburg:

• 2nd Lieutenant Ruel G. Austin, Company A, of Newport, mortally wounded on July 2
• Colonel Edward E. Cross, commanding the 1st Brigade, mortally wounded on July 2, of Lancaster.

Soldiers Buried in the New Hampshire Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:

• Sgt. Oscar D. Allen, Company E, C-10
• Pvt. Joseph F. Bond, Company E, C-9
• Pvt. Samuel R. Green, Company A, A-7
• Pvt. Roland Taylor, Company G, A-6

After Action Report: After Action Report of Maj. Richard E. Cross (will open a pop up window).

General Information

Raised: Carroll, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties.

Notable Facts: The regiment has the unfortunate distinction of having sustained the greatest total loss in battles of any infantry or cavalry regiment in the Union Army, with a total of 295 killed and 756 wounded, for a total of 1,051 men.

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

Organized at Concord, N. H., and mustered in October 22, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., October 29, 1861. Attached to Howard’s Brigade, Sumner’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1863. Concord, N.H., Dept. of the East, to November, 1863. Marston’s Command, Point Lookout, Md., to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.–Camp at Bladensburg, Defenses of Washington, D.C., until November 27, 1861. Expedition to Lower Maryland November 3-11. At Camp California, near Alexandria, Va., until March 10, 1862. Scout to Burke’s Station January 17, 1862 (Co. “A”). Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. Reconnaissance to Gainesville March 20, and to Rappahannock Station March 28-29. Warrenton Junction March 28. Moved to the Virginia Peninsula April 4. Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 5-May 4. Temporarily attached to Woodbury’s Engineer Brigade. Construct Grapevine Bridge over Chickahominy May 28-30. Battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Orchard Station June 28. Peach Orchard, Allen’s Farm and Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Alexandria and to Centreville, Va., August 16-30. Cover Pope’s retreat from Bull Run. Maryland Campaign September-October. Battle of South Mountain, Md., September 14 (Reserve). Antietam Creek, near Keadysville, September 15. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Duty at Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., September 21 to October 29. Reconnaissance to Charlestown October 16-17. Advance up Loudon Valley and movement to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 17. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Burnside’s Second Campaign, “Mud March,” January 20-24, 1863. Duty at Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Reconnaissance to Rappahannock June 9. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 13-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Moved to Concord, N.H., July 26-August 3. Duty at Draft Rendezvous, Concord, N.H., until November. Moved to Point Lookout, Md., November 8-13, and duty there guarding prisoners until May 27, 1864. Moved to Cold Harbor, Va., May 27-June 1, and join Army of the Potomac. Battles about Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg, Va., June 16-19. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1865. Deep Bottom, north of James River, July 27-28. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve). Demonstration north of James River August 13-20. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. Ream’s Station August 25. Non-Veterans mustered out October 12, 1864. Reconnaissance to Hatcher’s Run December 9-10. Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865. Watkins’ House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. On line of Hatcher’s and Gravelly Runs March 29-30. Hatcher’s Run or Boydton Road March 31. White Oak Road March 31. Sutherland Station April 2. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Saylor’s Creek April 6. High Bridge and Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Moved to Washington, D.C., May 2-12 Grand Review May 23. Mustered out July 28, and discharged July 8, 1865. This Regiment sustained the greatest loss in battle of any Infantry or Cavalry Regiment in the Union Army. Total killed and wounded 1,051. Death losses during service 18 Officers and 277. Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 176 Enlisted men by disease. Total 473.

About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? Dedicated Aug. 1886 (base). Rededicated June 12, 1888 (full monument).

What is it made out of? Figure: granite; Relief: bronze; Greek Cross: blue tile; Base: granite.

What size is it? Overall: approx. 14 ft. 3 in.; Die: approx. W. 4 ft. x D. 4 ft.

Who made it? Unknown, sculptor.

What does it depict? Full-length figure of a uniformed Zouave infantryman stands atop a polished, columnic pedestal with decorative cap. The whole stands on a square, tiered base. The figure holds his rifle vertically in both hands at his proper right side. He appears to be in mid-stride and there is a tree stump behind him. A relief Coat of Arms is affixed to the sculpture’s plinth and the Corps insignia of a Greek Cross appears on the pedestal’s front face, below the cap. The cross surmounts a set of crossed flags. Paid for by the regiment’s surviving members, the larger-than-life statue at the top of the monument depicts Matthew Spence, a veteran of the unit. He is dressed in a partial zouave uniform advancing up a hill with his rifle at “trail arms.” Monument that has two flanking markers. The shaft has polished and smooth cut faces, and alternating incised and excised inscriptions and lettering.

What does it honor? The sculpture indicates the position taken by the 23rd Pennsylvania when Shaler’s Brigade of VI Corps relieved the XII Crops in entrenchments. The location of this monument was hotly debated by the Battlefield Memorial Association.

How is it inscribed? THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED/AUGUST 1886 BY THE/SURVIVORS OF THE 23D/PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER/ INFANTRY AND ITS FRIENDS

When was this photograph taken? December 17, 2010. Monument faces east.

Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Slocum Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on the west side of Slocum Avenue, near Williams Avenue.

Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes, located on the extended tour route that includes Culp’s Hill.

Has this monument been moved or changed? It was originally capped with a pyramid of granite cannon balls which was replaced by the Zouave figure. The State Coat of Arms was also a later addition. The base and die were erected by surviving members of the regiment and the figure was erected by the State of Pennsylvania.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

At Gettysburg

The 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry was also known as Birney’s Zouaves. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Shaler’s Brigade in Newton’s Division of the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac.

Commander: Lt. Col. John F. Glenn (1829-1905). Printer in Philadelphia and Mexican War veteran.

Number Engaged: 538

Casualties: 1 killed, 13 wounded

Officers Killed at Gettysburg:

• 1st Lieut. Joshua S. Garsed, Company B, of Philadelphia, killed on July 3

General Information

Raised: Philadelphia.

Notable Facts: Known for its colorful uniforms based upon the popular French Zouave style.

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

Organized at Philadelphia August 31, 1861. Ordered to Washington, D.C., September. Attached to Buell’s (Couch’s) Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, to January, 1864. Johnson’s Island, Sandusky, Ohio, to May 1864. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, to September, 1864.

SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. Moved to the Virginia Peninsula March 26. Warwick River April 4. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Operations about Bottom’s Bridge May 20-23. Reconnaissance toward Richmond May 23. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. White Oak Swamp and Charles City Cross Roads June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Reconnaissance to Malvern Hill August 5-7. Movement to Alexandria, thence to Chantilly August 16-30, Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September-October. Guard Potomac from White’s Ford to Nolan’s Ferry September 11-24 during battles of South Mountain and Antietam. White’s Ford September 15. (Company “B” captured at Nolin’s Ford September 15 by Colonel White’s Command.) Moved to Downsville September 24 and picket duty on the Potomac until November 1. Movement to Falmouth, Va., November 1-19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin’s Crossing April 29-May 2. Fredericksburg, Maryes Heights, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks’ Ford May 4. Operations about Deep Run Ravine June 6-13. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-4. At Warrenton and Culpepper to October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7 (Reserve). Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Regiment reenlisted December 30, 1863. Veterans on furlough until February 11, 1864. Moved to Johnson’s Island, Lake Erie, Ohio, January 6, 1864, and guard Rebel Prisoners at that place until May 6. Moved to Washington, D.C., May 9-13; thence to Belle Plains and guard Rebel Prisoners and escort trains to the front until May 23. Rapidan Campaign May 23-June 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey November 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 17-19. Ream’s Station, Weldon Railroad, June 22-23. Siege of Petersburg until July 9. Moved to Washington July 9-11. Repulse Early’s attack on Washington July 11-12. Snicker’s Gap Expedition July 14-18. Operations in Shenandoah Valley until September. Charlestown August 21. Ordered home for muster out. Mustered out September 8, 1864. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 82nd Pennsylvania September 8. 1864. Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 110 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 70 Enlisted men by disease. Total 188.