1st Vermont Cavalry

The 1st Vermont Cavalry was raised from the counties of Chittenden, Addison, Bennington, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windham in November 1861.

It was a large regiment, numbering just under 700.

It’s commander at Gettysburg was Lt. Col. Addison W. Preston (1830-1864), a farmer from Danville. Preston was killed at the battle of Haw’s Shop on June 3, 1864.

The regimental monument is rather simple in design. It is located in the “D shaped field” on the Slyder Farm, west of Big Round Top (it can be viewed from a distance from Confederate Avenue). It was dedicated in October 1889.

The monument marks the position where the regiment fought in an ill-advised charge on July 3. Near this spot, General Elon J. Farnsworth was killed leading his brigade in that charge. Also nearby is a monument to Maj. William Wells, a Medal of Honor winner from this regiment.

1st Vermont Cavalry

Cavalry Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade

Lt. Col. Addison W. Preston (1830-1864)

Engaged: 687; 13 killed, 25 wounded, 27 missing

Monument: Slyder Farm

13th Vermont Infantry

The 13th Vermont Infantry was a 9-month regiment recruited from the counties of Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, and Washington in October 1862. Their commander was Col. Francis V. Randall (1824-1885), a lawyer from Montpelier. When Randall left to take command of the brigade, Lt. Col. William D. Munson (1833-1903) took command until he fell wounded. The final commander was Maj. Joseph J. Boynton (1833-1897), a farmer from Stowe.

The monument is located along Hancock Avenue south of the Angle. It depicts Lieutenant Stephn F. Brown, an officer in Company K. Brown was arrested on the march to Gettysburg for allowing his men to stop and fill his canteens. Restored to command on the battlefield, Brown’s sword had been sent to the rear. So Brown seized upon a hatchet instead. Brown is depicted holding a captured Confederate officer’s sword, the hatchet at his feet.

The monument was sculpted by F. Moyneham and designed by James B. Scully — a soldier in the 13th. It cost $4,166.00 and was dedicated October 19, 1899.

13th Vermont Infantry

1st Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Brigade

Engaged: 710; 10 killed, 103 wounded, 10 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

The Vermont Brigade

Today’s monument study is the Vermont Brigade monument. This monument is often referred to as belonging to the First Vermont Brigade, or Grant’s Vermont Brigade.
Representing the 2nd Vermont (commanded by Col. James H. Walbridge), the 3rd Vermont (commanded by Col. Thomas O. Seaver), the 4th Vermont (commanded by Col. Charles B. Stoughton), the 5th Vermont (commanded by Lt. Col. Randolph B. Lewis), and the 6th Vermont (commanded by Col. Elisha L. Barney), this monument is one of the most striking at Gettysburg. It is located on Wright Avenue, the “back way in” to Little Round Top. The obvious feature of the monument is the large carved lion. The Sixth Corp’s Greek Cross is also prominently featured.

The First Vermont Brigade was one of the hardest fighting units in the Army of the Potomac, but by a twist of fate suffered only very mild casualties at Gettysburg due to being held in reserve with most of the Sixth Corps. Nevertheless, visitors to Gettysburg should note that they are looking at a monument that represents a very hard fighting unit.

The First Vermont Brigade - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Regiments

Members of the Sixth Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commanded by Col. James H. Walbridge (1826-1913); Col. Thomas O. Seaver (1833-1912); Col. Charles B. Stoughton (1841-1898); Lt. Col. John R. Lewis (1834-1900); and Col. Elisha L. Barney (1832-1864), respectively.

Engaged: 528; 428; 437 (1 wounded); 341; 362

Collective Monument: Wright Avenue, off the Taneytown Pike heading between Little and Big Round Tops

Focus: 16th Vermont Infantry

The monument series continues with the 16th Vermont Infantry.

Located along Hancock Avenue on Cemetery Ridge, the 16th Vermont was a 9 month regiment mainly raised from the counties of Windsor and Windham.  Their commander at Gettysburg was Colonel Wheelock Graves Veazey (1835-1898), a Springfield lawyer.  He was awarded the medal of honor at Gettysburg and later served on the state Supreme Court.  He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

One of the largest regiments in the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg, the 16th Vermont numbered 715 men.  They lost 16 killed, 102 wounded, and 1 missing.

Their monument is one of the simpler memorials at Gettysburg.  The main feature is the shield on the front of the monument.

Members of the 1st Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Brigade

Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. Wheelock G. Veazey (1835-1898)

Engaged 715; 16 killed, 102 wounded, 1 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue