The 84th Pennsylvania Infantry served as a member of Carr’s Brigade in Humphrey’s Division of the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, a Fighting 300 Regiment. The infantry was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Milton Opp (1835-1864), a lawyer in civilian life. Opp was ,ortally wounded during the Overland Campaign. He was a second cousin to General Ulysses S. Grant. The 84th was engaged in guarding the trains and supplies at both Westminster and at Taneytown. It was not present at the Battle of Gettysburg, yet provided support (if I am understanding historical accounts correctly).
The 84th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument is located on the south or right side of Pleasanton Avenue if traveling east, due north of the Pennsylvania State Monument, which is located on the east or right side of Hancock Avenue. Both monuments being south of Gettysburg. The front inscription faces west, in the direction of the once attacking enemy, so one would need to face east to read it. The monuments front face runs parallel to the road. This location is a hot-bed of activity and one of the best examples of a hands-on history lesson of the Civil War one could hope to find. All along both sides of the road are these types of tablets, memorials, monuments, sculptures, and all manner of cannons, rifles and guns. Parking is available at enlarged shoulder cutouts on the right side of the road, directly across from the various monuments. Be sure to keep vehicles off the grass or you will be ticketed by park police. I visited this monument on Thursday, July 5, 2012 just after 6:00 P.M. I was at an elevation of 575 feet, ASL. I used a Canon PowerShot 14.1 Megapixel, SX210 IS digital camera for the photos.
The Draw the Sword site helped out by the NPS narrative and the SIRIS site offers the following description: Square tapered marker on a low rough-hewn base. It has an ornate, diamond-shaped cap, and relief ornaments include crossed swords and the Pennsylvania State Seal. Monument is a stepped/tapered shaft of pebble finish coursed granite topped with a crown composed of three-dimensional diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief, and bronze tablet and set on a 6.10 foot square base. Overall height is 16.10 feet. Flanking markers are one foot square.
What does it honor? The service of the 84th Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg Campaign. Not present at the battlefield.
The monument was dedicated on September 11, 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The monument is composed of Grey granite with some bronze elements and has the following dimensions: Overall: approximately 16 feet 10 inches high, the die on top is 4 feet 2 inches in width and the same in depth; the base is 6 feet 11 inches in width and the same in depth. The monument was fabricated by P. F. Eisenbrown & Sons, fabricators of at least four other Pennsylvania monuments I waymarked. There are inscriptions on the lower front and on the rear of the monument, all of which reads:
(Front):84th Penna
Infantry
July 1. The Regiment was on duty guarding the Division wagon trains. Moved with the column on the road from Taneytown to Emmittsburg and on the opening of the battle was ordered with the train to Westminster, Md. where it arrived July 2d. at 7 a.m. and picketed the roads near the wagon parks until the close of the battle.
1st Brig. 2nd Div. 3rd Corps
(Back):Recruited in
the counties of Blair,
Lycoming, Clearfield, Dauphin,
Columbia, Cameron, Westmoreland,
Huntington, Philadelphia, Montour,
and Cumberland.
Mustered in December 23, 1861.
Re-enlisted January 1, 1864.
Consolidated with 57th Penna.
Infantry January 13, 1865 and
composed the four left companies
until muster-out June 29, 1865.
Total enrollment 1310.
Killed and Died of Wounds 6 officers 122 men.
Died of Disease and other causes 1 officers 101 men
Wounded 19 officers 251 men
Captured or Missing 9 officers 241 men
Total 35 officers 715 men
Bath - Mine Run
Hancock - Wilderness
Winchester, March 28, 1862 - Spotsylvania
Front Royal - North Anna
Port Republic - Totopotomoy
Cedar Mountain - Cold Harbor
Thoroughfare Gap - Petersburg
2d Bull Run - Strawberry Plains
Fredericksburg - Deep Bottom
Chancellorsville- Poplar Spring Church
Gettysburg - Boydton Road
Kelly's Ford - Hatcher's Run
The 84th Pennsylvania Monument is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D. Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The monument is identified as structure number MN259-B.
From the Nomination Form:
1 of 110 Monuments to Pennsylvania of the GBMA Era (1863 - 1895). Indicates participation in Gettysburg campaign, dutied to Westminster, MD guarding supply trains July 2-6, 1863. Marched from Emmittsburg Rd to Westminster Jul 1. RF&LF mkrs not pertinent to field.
Short Physical Description:
Mn set on 6'10" square base w/2 flanking markers (1' sq x 1'6"H). Stepped, tapered shaft w/pebble finish topped w/a crown composed of 3D diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief and bronze tablet. All 6'10" H.
Long Physical Description:
Monument that has two flanking markers. Monument is a stepped/tapered shaft of pebble finish coursed granite topped with a crown composed of three-dimensional diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief, and bronze tablet and set on a 6.10 foot square base. Overall height is 16.10 feet. Flanking markers are one foot square.
My Sources
1.
NRHP Nomination Form
2.
SIRIS
3.
Stone Sentinels
4.
Virtual Gettysburg
5.
Draw the Sword
6.
Historical Marker Database