The monument is located at Located on Howard Avenue 100 yards east of Mummasburg Road and was dedicated on October 10, 1886 by the state of New York. This monument is made of Concord granite with bronze elements with the base composed of granite. The obelisk stands on a pedestal and rough-hewn base. There are reliefs of the crescent corps insignia on the upper front and rear sides of the obelisk. A large relief grouping, which includes the New York state seal, wreaths, muskets, bugle, and other accouterments, is affixed to the front of the obelisk. Flanking markers are one foot square. The bronze work was designed and executed by Casper Buberl. I am pretty sure that slipper of a moon at the top of the obelisk is the symbol for the 11th corps.
The monument marks the position held by the 45th New York Infantry from about noon until forced to withdraw at about 4:00 on July 1, 1863. From the HMDB: The monument, along Howard Avenue, is on ground bordering athletic fields. The Regiment deployed skirmishers on the southeastern edge of what is today those athletic fields and advanced forward toward Seminary Ridge / Oak Hill to join with the I Corps right flank.
The regiment was commanded by Colonel George Karl Heinrich Willhelm Von Amsberg until he took command of the brigade on July 1. Lieutenant Colonel Adolphus Dobke then took command of the regiment. The 45th New York Infantry was also known as Howe’s Rifles. 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.
SIRIS site describes this as: Obelisk stands on a pedestal and rough-hewn base. There are reliefs of the crescent corps insignia on the upper front and rear sides of the obelisk. A large relief grouping, which includes the New York state seal, wreaths, muskets, bugle, and other accouterments, is affixed to the front of the obelisk. Its dimensions are: Sculpture: approx. H. 16 ft.; Base: approx. W. 6 ft. x D. 6 ft. It was sculpted by Caspar Burberl (1834-1899) and fabricated by New England Monument Company.
The text of the marker reads:
(Front):
45th N.Y. Infantry
1st Brig. 3rd Div.
11th Corps.
July 1, 1863(Left):The regiment went into action about 11.30 a.m. July 1st, 1863, by deploying four companies as skirmishers under Captain Irsch about one hundred yards to the rear of this monument. They advanced supported by the other six companies under Lt. Col. Dobke about five hundred and forty yards under a terrific artillery and sharpshooter's fire to a point indicated by marker in front. The regiment also assisted in repelling a charge on the flank of the 1st. Corps to the left, capturing many prisoners. Covered retrograde movement into town, fighting through the streets, where Major Koch fell desperately wounded. A portion of the regiment was cut off and took shelter in connecting houses and yards on Chambersburg Street west of the town square, holding the enemy at bay until about 5.30 p.m. when they surrendered, after having destroyed their arms and accouterments.
(Right):On July 2, the remnant of the regiment was exposed to a heavy artillery fire on Cemetery Hill, and in the evening moved hastily to Culp's Hill and assisted in repulsing an attack on Greene's Brigade 12th Corps (see markers on Culp's and Cemetery Hills). On 3d, it was again exposed to artillery and sharpshooters fire, whereupon Sergt. Link, with volunteers, dislodged the enemy's sharpshooters in the edge of town, nearly all the small attacking party being killed or wounded in the effort. The regiment while in the Army of the Potomac participated in the following battles:
Cross Keys - White Suphur Springs - 2d Bull Run
Cedar Mountain - Gainesville - Chancellorsville
Waterloo Bridge - Groveton - Gettysburg
and then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland at:
Lookout Mountain - Resaca - Kenesaw Mountain
and many other minor engagements.
(Back):The regiment carried into action July 1st, 25 officers and about 250 men. As officially reported, it lost, killed 11, wounded 35, missing 164, total 210 officers and men. Among the missing many were killed or wounded in the town and not included in the above numbers. Those captured refused offered parole hoping to encumber the enemy, believing that the Union Army would capture the crippled foe and thereby effect their release. Sadly disappointed, they suffered indescribable misery in Andersonville and other prison pens, neglected, often maltreated and finally believing themselves forgotten and forsaken. Many died martyrs and joined their more fortunate comrades who fell gloriously on this field.
The 45th New York Infantry 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 MN053-A.
From the nomination form:
Short Physical Description:
Mn w/2 flank marker & 1 pos. marker. 6' square base, plinth, smooth face shaft & pryamidal cap, 16' high. Inscribed plinth w/bronze plaques other 3 sides. Attached bronze medallion of rifles, bugle, flag & state seal. Flank mkrs 1ft sq; pos. mkr 1'x1'x1'. Mn cleaned/waxed 1991.
Long Physical Description
Monument that has two flanking marker and one position marker. Monument is a smooth faced granite shaft with pyramidal cap on a six foot square base. It has an inscribed plinth with bronze plaques and an attached bronze medallion of rifles, bugle, flag, and state seal. The bronze work was designed and executed by Casper Buberl. Flanking markers are one foot square. Located on Howard Avenue 100 yards east of Mummasburg Road. The position marker is located on the east side of McClean farm lane.
My Sources
1.
Draw the Sword
2.
SIRIS
3.
Virtual Gettysburg
4.
Historical Marker Database
5.
Stone Sentinels
6.
NRHP Narrative