About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? Sept. 3, 1891.

What is it made out of? Sculpture: Westerly granite with bronze relief; Base: Westerly granite.

What size is it? Overall: approx. 12 ft. x 3 ft. 9 1/2 in. x 2 ft.

Who made it? Smith Granite Company, contractor.

What does it depict? Rough-hewn monolith with polished inscription panels and a saddle with cavalry accouterments draped over the top. A relief on the front depicts a round state seal with crossed sabers and palm leaf and the 12th Illinois Cavalry insignia.

What does it honor? Monument indicates the first line of battle held by the 12th Illinois Cavalry on July 1, 1863.

How is it inscribed? REGIMENT RETIRED TO/RIDGE ON LEFT REAR/WITH BRIGADE FOUGHT/DISMOUNTED, REPULSING/ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY/COVERED THE WITHDRAWAL/OF LINE TO CEMETERY HILL/AND IN THE EVENING/TOOK POSITION ON/LEFT FLANK OF THE ARMY/JULY 2, 1863/BUFORD’S DIVISION/RETIRED TOWARD WESTMINSTER

When was this photograph taken? February 26, 2012.

Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, North Reynolds Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. It is located on north Reynolds Avenue south of the Western Maryland Railroad Cut bridge.

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

Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

At Gettysburg

The 12th Illinois Cavalry served as a member of Gamble’s Brigade in Buford’s Division of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.

Commander: Col. George H. Chapman of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry.

Number Engaged: 588

Casualties: 4 killed, 10 wounded, 6 missing

Soldiers Buried in the Illinois Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:

• Pvt. John Ellis, Company G, A-2

General Information

Raised: Cook and Kankaee counties.

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

Companies “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “E” and “G” organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in February 24, 1862. Captain Gilmore’s Company of Cavalry, Company “A,” 32nd Illinois, organized at Camp Butler December 31, 1861; assigned as Company “F.” Captain Sheerer’s and Captain Barker’s Companies, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company “H.” Captain Brown’s Company, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company “I.” Companies “K,” “L” and “M” organized at Springfield, Ill., December 30, 1863, to January 12, 1864. Duty at Camp Butler, Ill., guarding prisoners, until June, 1862. Ordered to Martinsburg, W. Va., June 25. Attached to District of Martinsburg, W. Va., to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to October, 1862. Defenses Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Dept. to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to November, 1863. Chicago, Ill., to February, 1864. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to July, 1865. Dept. of Texas to May, 1866.

SERVICE.–Duty at Martinsburg, W. Va., and on the Upper Potomac to September, 1862. Near Martinsburg September 3. Bunker Hill September 3-4. Martinsburg September 6. Darkesville September 7. Williamsport, Md., September 11. Martinsburg September 11-12. Defense of Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., September 13-14. Regiment cut way through enemy’s lines on night of September 14. Antietam, Md., September 16-18. Hagerstown, Md., September 20. Duty on Upper Potomac September 20 to December 8. Williamsport September 21. McCoy’s or Russell’s Ferry and near Green Springs Furnace October 10. Reconnaissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon, W. Va., November 9. Dumfries, Va., December 26-27. At Falmouth, Va., until April 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman’s Raid April 29-May 8. Tunstall Station May 4. Aylett’s May 5. Raid from Yorktown into Matthews County May 19-23. March to Falmouth, Va., Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Expedition from Yorktown to South Anna Bridge June 23-28 (Detachment). South Anna Bridge June 26 (Detachment). Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 6. Bronsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek July 9. At and near Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Chester Gap July 26. Kelly’s Ford July 31-August 1. Brandy Station August 1-4. Near Fairfax Court House August 6 (Detachment). Brandy Station and Culpeper Court House September 7-8. Near Bristoe Station September 12. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-16. Stevensburg September 17. Reconnaissance across the Rappahannock September 21-23. Jack’s Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton’s Fords October 10. Brandy Station October 11-12. Oak Hill October 15. Rappahannock Station October 27. Moved to Chicago, Ill., November 20-28, and duty there until February, 1864. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., February 9, thence moved to New Orleans, La., March 15-April 1. Moved to Red River April 20, arriving at Alexandria April 23. Actions at Alexandria April 28-May 5-8. Bayou Teche, La., May 5-8. Wilson’s Landing May 14. Avoyelle’s or Marksville Prairie May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 17. Morganza May 20. Arrived at New Orleans, La., June 1. Moved to Napoleonville June 11, and duty there until October, engaged in picketing and scouting. Near Napoleonville July 29 (Co. “L”). Expedition from Paincoursville to Natchez, Miss., with skirmish August 15-21 (Cos. “I,” “L”). Expedition to Grand Lake, Grand River and Lake Natchez September 7-11. Expedition from Napoleonville to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon September 26-30. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., and duty there until November 14. Liberty November 18. Davidson’s Expedition against Mobile and Ohio R. R. November 27-December 13. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton December 23-24. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn., and to Gaines’ Landing, Ark., January 7-26, 1865. Osban’s Expedition through Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana January 27-February 14. Duty near Memphis, Tenn., until June. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., into Northern Mississippi March 3-11. Moved to Alexandria, La., June 15-22, thence marched to Hempstead, Texas, August 8-26. Duty in Eastern Texas until May, 1866. Mustered out May 29, 1866. Regiment lost during service 38 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 192 Enlisted men by disease. Total 234.

About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? Sept. 3, 1891.

What is it made out of? Sculpture: Westerly granite with bronze relief; Base: Westerly granite.

What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 8 ft.; Base: approx. 13 in. x 4 ft. 10 in. x 3 ft. 2 in.

Who made it? Smith Granite Company, contractor.

What does it depict? The monument consists of Blue Westerly Granite from Rhode Island. Marker with smooth front and rear faces and rough-hewn sides has an apexed top and stands on a rough-hewn base. A cavalry saddle equipped with military accouterments is draped on the top of the monument. There is a relief on the front top which consists of crossed sabers and a state seal. Overall it is eight foot high. It cost $1,500.00.

What does it honor? The monument indicates the position held by the line of dismounted troopers of the 8th Illinois Cavalry on July 1, 1863 when contesting the advance of Heth’s Confederate Division.

How is it inscribed? 1ST BRIG. 1ST DIV./CAVALRY CORPS/FIRST LINE OF BATTLE/JULY 1, 1863/OCCUPIED UNTIL RELIEVED BY 1ST CORPS/ONE SQUADRON PICKETED RIDGE EAST OF MARSH/CREEK AND SUPPORTED BY ANOTHER SQUADRON/MET ENEMY’S RIGHT ADVANCE/LIEUT. JONES CO. E. FIRED FIRST SHOT AS THE/ENEMY CROSSED MARSH CREEK BRIDGE

When was this photograph taken? December 11, 2011.

Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Reynolds Avenue, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on the east side of North Reynolds Avenue south of Chambersburg Pike.

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

Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

At Gettysburg

The 8th Illinois Cavalry served as a member of Gamble’s Brigade in Buford’s Division of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.

Commander: Maj. John L. Beveridge (1824-1910)

Number Engaged: 491

Casualties: 1 killed, 5 wounded, 1 missing

General Information

Raised: Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties.

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

Organized at St. Charles, Ills., and mustered in September 18, 1861. Moved to Washington, D.C., October 13-17. At Meridian Hill until December 17 and at Alexandria, Va., until March, 1862. Attached to Sumner’s Division, Army of the Potomac, December, 1861, to March, 1862, Cavalry 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May, 1862. Stoneman’s Light Brigade to June, 1862. Averill’s Cavalry Brigade, 5th Army Corps, to July, 1862. 2nd Brigade, Stoneman’s Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, Pleasanton’s Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, until February, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to June, 1864 (Detachment). Regiment Unattached Defenses of Washington, D.C., 22nd Army Corps, to November, 1864. 1st Separate Brigade, 22nd Army Corps, Department of Washington, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.–Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-19, 1862. Reconnaissance to Gainesville March 20. Operations on the Orange and Alexandria R. R. March 28-29. Warrenton Junction March 28. Bealeton Station March 28. Rappahannock Station March 29. Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock April 2. Moved to the Peninsula, Virginia, April 23-May 1. Near Williamsburg May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Mechanicsville May 23-24. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Ashland June 25 (Detachment). Mechanicsville, Atlee’s Station and near Hanover Court House, June 26. Hundley’s Corners June 26-27. Garnett’s Farm and Gaines’ Mill June 27. Despatch Station June 28 (Cos. “E,” “K”). Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Reconnaissance from Harrison’s Landing July 4. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Malvern Hill July 5. Expedition to Malvern Hill July 20-22. Malvern Hill August 5. Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence to Alexandria August 16-23. Falls Church September 3-4. Poolesville, Md., September 7-8. Barnesville September 9. Monocacy Church and Nolansville September 9. Middletown September 10. Sugar Loaf Mountain September 11-12. Frederick September 12. Middletown September 13. Catoctin Mountain September 13. South Mountain September 14. Boonesborough September 15. Antietam September 16-17. Shephardstown Ford September 19. Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg to Shepardstown, W. Va., October 1. Martinsburg October 1. Pursuit of Stuart into Pennsylvania October 9-12. Mouth of Monocacy October 12. Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Pike October 16-17. Purcellsville and near Upperville October 29 (Detachment). Snickersville October 31. Philomont November 1-2. Upperville November 2-3. Union November 3. Barber’s Cross Roads, Chester Gap and Markham November 5-6. Sperryville November 7. Little Washington November 8. Markham Station and Barber’s Cross Roads November 10. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Turner’s Mills January 30, 1863. Operations in Westmoreland and Richmond Counties February 10-16. Near Dumfries March 15 and 29. Zoar Church March 30. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman’s Raid April 29-May 8. Rapidan Station May 1. Warrenton May 6. Lancaster May 20-21. Clendennin’s Raid below Fredericksburg May 20-28. Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Aldie June 17. Goose Creek June 18. Upperville June 21. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport July 6-7. Funkstown, Md., July 8. Boonesborough July 8. Chester Gap and Benevola or Beaver Creek, July 9. At and near Funkstown, Md., July 10-13. Falling Waters July 15. Chester Gap July 21-22. Lovettsville July 22. Kelly’s Ford July 31-August 1. Near Culpeper August 1-3. Brandy Station August 4. Weaversville August 27. Brandy Station September 8. Raccoon Ford and Stevensburg September 10-11. Culpeper and Pony Mountain September 13. Reconnaissance across the Rapidan September 21-23. Liberty Mills September 21. Jack’s Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Mitchell’s Ford October 7. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Culpeper October 9. Raccoon Ford October 10. Morton’s Ford October 10. Stevensburg, near Kelly’s Ford and Brandy Station, October 11. Fleetwood or Brandy Station October 12. Oak Hill October 15. Madison Court House October 16. Hazel River October 17. Bealeton October 27. Near Catlett’s Station October 30. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Warrenton or Sulphur Springs, Jeffersonton and Hazel River November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Parker’s Store November 29. Jennings’ Farm, near Ely’s Ford, December 1. Reconnaissance to Madison Court House January 31, 1864 (Detachment). Veterans on furlough January to March, 1864. Camp at Giesboro Point until May. Patrol duty at Washington, D.C., and scout duty at Fairfax, Va., until April, 1865, having numerous engagements with Mosby’s guerrillas and the Black Horse Cavalry. A detachment with Army of the Potomac and participated in the Rapidan Campaign May-June, 1864. Craig’s Meeting House, Va., May 5. Todd’s Tavern May 5-6. Alsop’s Farm May 8. Guinea Station May 18. Salem Church and Pole Cat Creek May 27. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Point of Rocks, Md., July 5. Noland’s Ferry July 5. Middletown and Solomon’s Gap July 7. Frederick July 7. Frederick July 8, (Detachment). Battle of Monocacy July 9. Rockville and Urbana July 9. Near Fort Stevens, D.C., July 11. Along northern defenses of Washington, D.C., July 11-12. Rockville July 13. Cockeyville July 18. Philomont July 20. Snickersville July 21. Monocacy Junction July 30. Near Piedmont October 9. Near Rectortown October 10. White Plains October 11. Upperville October 28 (Detachment). Operations at Snicker’s Gap October 28-29 (Detachment). Manassas Junction November 11. Fairfax Station November 26. Scout from Fairfax Court House to Hopewell Gap December 26-27. Scout from Fairfax Court House to Brentsville February 6-7, 1865, and to Aldie and Middleburg February 15-16 (Co. “B”). Operations about Warrenton, Bealeton Station, Sulphur Springs and Centreville March 3-8. Duty about Washington, D.C., until July. Ordered to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Chicago, Ill., and mustered out July 17, 1865. Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 68 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 174 Enlisted men by disease. Total 250.

About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? Sept. 3, 1891.

What is it made out of? Sculpture: Westerly granite with bronze relief; Base: Westerly granite.

What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 12 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. 15 in. x 5 ft. x 5 ft.

Who made it? Triebel & Sons, contractor.

What does it depict? The monument consists of a round shaft with a bullet-shaped top. It stands on a squared pedestal and two-tiered base. There is a band of stars near the top of the shaft and a relief a palm branch and wreath towards the middle. There is a round State Seal on the front of the pedestal. Base is smooth stone that is five foot square. Overall height is 12.6 foot.

What does it honor? The monument marks the first line of battle held by the 82nd Illinois Infantry prior to their retreat to East Cemetery Hill.

How is it inscribed? OCCUPIED THE CREST OF/CEMETERY HILL,/JULY 2 & 3, 1863. (On rear:) PARTICIPATED IN REPULSE/OF EWELL’S CORPS/ON NIGHT OF JULY 2, 1863/REGIMENT LOST DURING THE/THREE DAYS BATTLE 112 KILLED/WOUNDED AND MISSING.

When was this photograph taken? June 15, 2012.

Where is it located?

Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Located on the extended tour route that includes Barlow’s Knoll.

Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

At Gettysburg

The 82nd Illinois Infantry was also known as The 2nd Hecker Regiment. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Schimmelfenning’s Brigade in Schurz’s Division of the Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac. A Fighting 300 Regiment.

Commander: Lt. Col. Edward S. Salomon (1836-1913)

Number Engaged: 347

Casualties: 4 killed, 19 wounded, 89 missing

Officers Killed at Gettysburg:

Soldiers Buried in the Illinois Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:

• Cpl. John Ackermann, Company K, A-5
• Pvt. Ernst Wallischeck, Company H, A-1

After Action Report: After Action Report of Lt. Col. Edward S. Salomon (will open a pop up window).

General Information

Raised: Cook county and St. Clair County

Notable Facts: It was one of the three “German” regiments furnished to the Union by Illinois. Approximately two-thirds of its members were German immigrants and most of the other third was composed of immigrants from various countries including Scandinavians, Irish and Swiss.

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

Organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in October 23, 1862. Moved to Washington, D.C., November 3-9. Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland and Army of Georgia, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.–Moved to Fairfax Court House, Va., November 19, 1862, thence to Stafford Court House December 11. Near Aquia Creek, Va., December 19 to January 20, 1863. “Mud March,” January 20-24, 1863. At Stafford Court House, Va., until April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 12-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit to Manassas Gap July 5-24. Hagerstown July 12. Duty along Orange & Alexandria R. R. until September. Movement to Bridgeport, Ala., September 25-October 4. Operations in Lookout Valley October 19-26. Reconnaissance to Trenton October 20. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn., October 28-29. Duty in Lookout Valley, Tenn., until November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Tunnel Hill November 24-25. Mission Ridge November 25. Pursuit to Cleveland November 26-27. March to relief of Knoxville November 29-December 17. At Whitesides, Tenn., until May 3, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 3-September 8. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Near Cassville May 19. New Hope Church May 25. Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Gilgal (or Golgotha) Church June 15. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes’ Creek June 19. Kolb’s Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Smyrna Camp Ground July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. Expedition to Tuckum’s Cross Roads October 26-29. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Milledgeville November 22. Montieth Swamp December 9. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Averysboro, Taylor’s Hole Creek, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett’s House April 26. Surrender of Lee and his Army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24. Mustered out June 16, 1865. Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 98 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 60 Enlisted men by disease. Total 162.