14th Connecticut Infantry

The 14th Connecticut Infantry was raised from the counties of Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex, New London, and Tolland. It mustered in at Camp Foote near Hartford in August 1862. At Gettysburg, the 14th had 200 men under the command of Maj. Theodore G. Ellis (1829-1883), a Hartford civil engineer.

The simple monument to this regiment is located on the Second Corps battle line on Hancock Avenue, just north of the Angle. Additionally, there are two markers located at the Bliss Barn site.

14th Connecticut Infantry

2d Corps, 3d Division, 2d Brigade

Engaged: 200; 10 killed, 52 wounded, 4 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

27th Connecticut Infantry

Although the 27th Connecticut only had had three companies and 160 men at Gettysburg, it has multiple monuments on the battlefield (five in the Wheatfield area, including two “major” monuments).

A nine-month regiment raised from New Haven County in October 1862, the regiment was virtually destroyed at Chancellorsville. Only companies D & F survived the blood-letting and mass capture. To these two companies, a third company was added prior to Gettysburg. The regiment was set to muster out at the end of July.

Their commander was Lt. Col. Henry C. Merwin (1839-1863), a native of Brookfield. He was killed on July 2 (a marker is placed in the Wheatfield where he fell). Maj. James H. Coburn (1836-1899) took command from Merwin.

Coburn was a merchant from New Haven.

The main monument is a large granite shaft surmounted by an eagle with outspread wings. It is located in the Wheatfield. Dedicated October 22, 1885, it was placed by the Regimental Association and cost $950.00. The monument consists of St. Johnsbury Granite.

In the later 1880s, Connecticut appropriated $1,000.00 to each unit to erect a monument at Gettysburg. The 27th Connecticut used this money to erect a relatively simple “Advanced Position” monument along Brooke Avenue. This memorial was dedicated April 17, 1889.

Small markers that locate the places Col. Merwin and Capt. Jed Chapman, respectively, were killed as well as another advanced position marker are also located in the Wheatfield area.

27th Connecticut Infantry

2nd Corps, 1st Division, 4th Brigade

Lt. Col. Henry C. Merwin (1839-1863)

Engaged: 160; 10 killed, 23 wounded, 4 missing

Monument: Wheatfield. Secondary monument along Brooke Avenue.

2nd Connecticut Artillery

The simple monument to the 2nd Connecticut Artillery stands on Hancock Avenue just south of the Pennsylvania Monument.  It marks the position held by the regiment on July 3, 1863.

Raised from Fairfield County in the fall of 1862, this artillery unit was made up of four 6 lb. James Rifles and two 12lb Howitzers.  The commander was Capt. John W. Sterling (1826-1881), a merchant from Bridgeport.

The monument is a simple structure made of granite that features the state seal.  One side depicts crossed artillery swabs and a pile of cannon balls.

2nd Connecticut Artillery

Artillery Reserve, 2nd Volunteer Brigade

Capt. John W. Sterling (1826-1881)

Engaged: 106 men, 4 6 lb James Rifles and 2 12 lb Howitzers; 3 wounded, 2 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

20th Connecticut Infantry

The 20th Connecticut Infantry was raised from the counties of Hartford, Middlesex, and New Haven.

It was commanded by Lt. Col. William B. Wooster (1821-1900). Wooster, a graduate of Yale Law School, was a lawyer in New Haven.

The simple state monument is located on Slocum Avenue near Pardee Field. It marks the position that the regiment held on July 2. This was one of the larger regiments in the 12th Corps and in the area of Culp’s Hill.

20th Connecticut Infantry

12th Corps, 1st Division, 1st Brigade

Lt. Col. William B. Wooster (1821-1900)

Engaged: 434; 5 killed, 22 wounded, 1 missing

Monument: Slocum Avenue

Focus: 17th Connecticut Infantry

Today’s monument study is the simple regimental monument to the 17th Connecticut located on Barlow’s Knoll.
This monument is located along East Howard Avenue, near the staute to General Francis Barlow on the knoll known as either Barlow’s Knoll or Blocher’s Knoll near the almshouse cemetery.

Recruited mainly from Fairfield County, the 17th Connecticut was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Fowler (1826-1863) at Gettysburg. Fowler, a locksmith prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, was killed in the fighting on July 1, 1863. The 17th Connecticut took 386 men into battle at Gettysburg and lost 20 killed, 81 wounded, and 96 missing. There is a second monument to this regiment located on Wainwright Avenue at the base of Cemetery Hill.  The flagpole on Barlow’s Knoll was also dedicated by this regiment.

Members of the 11th Corps, 1st Division, 2nd Brigade

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Fowler (1826-July 1, 1863)

Engaged 386; 20 killed, 81 wounded, 96 missing

Monuments: Howard Avenue (Barlow’s Knoll) and Wainwright Avenue (base of East Cemetery Hill)