The 90th Pennsylvania Infantry served as a member of Baxter’s Brigade in Robinson’s Division of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Peter Lyle (December 24, 1821-July 17, 1879), a tobacconist from Philadelphia. Under his command, 208 members of his brigade were engaged at Gettysburg and among them, 8 were killed, 45 were wounded and 40 went missing.
The 90th PA Infantry position marker is located 140 feet south of the intersection of South Hancock Avenue and Humphreys Avenue (the two roads make a "y"), on the east or left side of the road when traveling north on Hancock Avenue. This area is known as Cemetery Ridge. The Pennsylvania Memorial is 485 feet due north of this position and the 88th PA Infantry position marker and 1st Minnesota Infantry monument are a few feet north of this position, in that order. Parking is available along Hancock Avenue at enlarged shoulder cutouts on the side of the road, directly across from the other various monuments. The best parking is on Humphreys Avenue at a dedicated parking lot across from the Pennsylvania Monument. 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 in the later part of the afternoon. I was at an elevation of 575 feet, ASL. I used a Canon PowerShot 14.1 Megapixel, SX210 IS digital camera for the photos.
While the marker does not qualify for individual contributing status, the monument, along with two other position markers and two flank markers does assist with the primary monument in its contributing status. The position markers and the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument collectively are contributing features 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 MN206-C.
The monument was erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at about 1889 and probably in the late summer early fall. The monument is made of granite and has a bronze inscribed tablet in the front. By all accounts it could be a primary monument due to its size and complexity. The only reason SIRIS does not list it as an individual sculpture is because they did not have the work of the NRHP to follow. The position marker is referenced and described a few times in the NRHP narrative for the primary monument. The parts concerning this monument have red font to make it easier to find.
The lengthy inscription on the front reads:
90th Regiment Penn'a Vols.
of Philadelphia
2nd Brig. 2nd Div. 1st Corps.
was heavily engaged July 1st 1863 on Oak
Ridge and Mummasburg Road where the
granite tree monument stands. Upon retirement
of the Corps, it was formed in line of battle
on Cemetery Hill, supporting a battery. On the
evening of July 2nd, was ordered to this
position and deployed as skirmishers, advancing
beyond the Emmitsburg Road. The Confederate
General Barksdale, who had fallen
mortally wounded in the attack upon the
3rd Corps, was found upon the field and
carried to the rear by men of this reg't. After
dark the reg't returned to Cemetery Hill.
On the 3rd it moved to the east or rear of
Cemetery Hill, in support of the 12th Corps,
engaged on Culp's Hill, then to the support
of batteries upon the brow of the hill, and
soon after, at the time of assault upon the
2nd Corps, the reg't changed position on
the double quick and joined their line
of battle at Zeigler's Grove, as indicated
the eagle monument there.
"Non-Siri-Sed-Patraie"
From the Nomination Form:
1 of 110 Monuments to Pennsylvania. Indicates position held by 90th PA Infty Jul 3, 1863. LF&RF Mkrs 43'&70' W-SE of MN. Position Marker is general position evening Jul 2 when deployed as skirmishers. Mn N side of Hancock av at Ziegler's Grove. Pos. marker on Hancock nr. PA Mn.
Short Physical Description:
Mn, LF&RF & Position Marker. Mn: 4'6" sq base. Smooth granite shaft w/ incised & excised inscriptions, bronze tablet L side, bronze bas-relief R side. Cap w/ bronze drum & eagle, all 10'8"H. LF: 10"sq x 1'5"H, RF not found. Pos marker: native boulder w/brnz tablet 6'3"Hx3'7"x3'5"
Long Physical Description:
Monument that has two flanking markers and one position marker. Monument is a smooth granite shaft with a cap that contains a bronze drum and eagle set on a 4.6 foot square base. The shaft has incised and excised inscriptions, a bronze tablet on the left side and a bronze bas-relief on the right side. Overall height is 10.8 feet. Located on Hancock Avenue at Ziegler's Grove. Flanking markers are ten inches square. Position marker is a native boulder with bronze tablet and is 3.7x3.5 foot and 6.3 foot high. The marker is located on Hancock Avenue near the Pennsylvania Monument.
My Sources
1.
NRHP Narrative
2.
Stone Sentinels
3.
Virtual Gettysburg
4.
Draw the Sword
5.
Historical Marker Database