Union monuments at Gettysburg > New Jersey
The monument to the 11th New Jersey Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Emmitsburg Road. (Emmitsburg Road & North Sickles Avenue tour map) The State of New Jersey dedicated the monument on June 20, 1888.
About the monument to the 11th New Jersey
The granite monument is 9′ tall. It is in the form of an open book standing on a rough hewn base. A flag is draped over the top and reverse of the book, with a soldier’s hat above all. The regiment’s information is inscribed on the covers of the book, and the spine has a relief of the diamond symbol of the Third Corps.
The 11th New Jersey at Gettysburg
Colonel Robert McAllister commanded the regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded on July 2nd. Major Philip Kearney had already been mortally wounded, so Captain Luther Martin of Company D took over command of the regiment as senior officer. He was wounded in the foot, and while trying to make his way to the rear was wounded again in the thigh and chest, the latter being mortal. Captain William Loyd then briefly took command until he, too, was wounded. Lieutenant John Schoonover took over until late in the afternoon when he was also wounded, with the regiment ending the day under the command of Captain Samuel T. Sleeper.
The 11th New Jersey brought 275 men into battle. Over half of those were killed or wounded.
Lieutenant Schoonover in his report singled out Corporal Thomas Johnson who, after two color bearers had been shot and with officers and men falling by the moment, was ordered to take the colors and advance twenty yards to the front to steady the regiment. He did, holding his ground until the survivors of the regiment were ordered to slowly and stubbornly fall back.
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Attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac
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Text from the left face (north side) of the monument
11th New Jersey Vols.
Col. Robert McAllister
1st Brig. 2nd Div. 3d Corps
July 2, 1863
Mustered in Aug 19, 1862.
Mustered out July 1865.
Engaged in 29 battles.
Erected by the State of New Jersey
1888
Right side of the monument
From the right face (south side)
This stone marks the spot reached by the right of the regiment the left extending towards the south-east. The position was held under a severe fire which killed or disabled nearly three-fifths of the regiment, including every officer present above the rank of lieutenant.
Number engaged 275.
Killed 31, wounded 109,
Missing 12, total 152.
Of the missing six are supposed to have been killed.
Left side of the monument
Detail from the monument
Location of the monument to the 11th New Jersey Infantry at Gettysburg
The monument to the 11th New Jersey is just south of the Klingle Farm buildings. It is on the east side of Emmitsburg Road
240 yards north of United States Avenue. (39°48’21.3″N 77°14’47.9″W)