Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Infantry


“14th New York State Militia”

“14th Brooklyn”

There are three monuments to the Fourteenth New York State Militia on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

The main monument is northwest of Gettysburg on Reynolds Avenue near the Railroad Cut (North Reynolds Avenue tour map) It was dedicated by the State of New York on October 10, 1887. A marker on Stone Avenue was erected in 1893 and shows the regiment’s position during the morning of July 1st. (Stone & Meredith Avenue tour map) A second marker was dedicated in 1890 south of Gettysburg on Culp’s Hill, showing the regiment’s position on July 2nd and 3rd. (South Culp’s Hill tour map)

Monument to the 14th New York State Militia (84th New York) at Gettysburg

The 14th New York State Militia was an established regiment from well before the war. It was mustered into Federal service and fought at Bull Run under that designation, although it was often referred to as the 14th Brooklyn. In December of 1861 it was given the designation of 84th New York Volunteer Infantry, but successfully petitioned to continue to be known as the 14th.

The regiment is also honored by a monument on the Antietam battlefield.

1st Corps Headquarters Flag 1C-1D
monument to te 14th New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn, or 84th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment) on the Gettysburg battlefield

View from the other side of the Railroad Cut. The McPherson barn and Herbst Woods is in the distance.

About the main monument to the 14th Brooklyn

The monument is made of Westerly, Rhode Island Granite and stands 18′ 8″ tall. The statue represents an enlisted man of the 14th Brooklyn loading his rifle and dressed in the chasseur uniform that gave the regiment its nickname of the “Red Legged Devils”. The model for the soldier was the regiment’s Lieutenant Henry W. Mitchell, who was wounded on July 1st at Gettysburg.

The 14th Brooklyn was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel Edward Fowler, a Brooklyn bookkeeper. It took 356 men into battle.

From the base of the front of the monument on Reynolds Avenue:

On this spot at 10.30 a.m. July 1, 1863, this regiment participated in the repulse of Davis Mississippi Brigade and the capture
of a large portion of that command took into the engagement 356 officers and men and by the War Department record lost during the three days 217.

From the oval tablet on the right side of the monument:

14th Brooklyn Regt.

From the base on the right of the monument:

July 1. First engaged the enemy between the McPherson House and Reynolds Grove. Subsequently moved to this place and engaged Davis’ Brigade. Remained at the railroad cut at Seminary Ridge until the final retreat. Had a running fight through Gettysburg to Culp’s Hill. On the evening of the 2nd and again on the morning of the 3rd went to support Greene’s Brigade and was heavily engaged (see marker).

From the oval tablet on the left side of the monument:

14th Regt. N.Y.S.M.
2nd Brigade 1st Division 1st Army Corps

From the base on the left of the monument:

Erected and dedicated A.D. 1887.

From the base of the rear of the monument:

The 14th Regiment New York State Militia (84th N.Y. Vols.) entered the U.S. Volunteer service April 18, 1861. Participated in 22 engagements with the enemy and was discharged on expiration of term of service June 6, 1864.

Location of the main monument to the 14th New York State Militia at Gettysburg

The main monument to the 14th New York State Militia is northwest of Gettysburg on the west side of Reynolds Avenue and the south edge of the Railroad Cut. (39°50’15.4″N 77°14’54.6″W)

Position marker on Stone Avenue
Marker on Stone Avenue showing the regiment's position in the morning of July 1st

Marker on Stone Avenue showing the regiment’s position in the morning of July 1st

From the marker on Stone Avenue:

Here, in the forenoon, July 1st, 1863, the Regiment opened fire on A.P. Hill’s Corps; afterwards charged successfully on Davis’ Brigade at the railroad to the right and rear of this position as indicated by a monument there; later had a running fight through Gettysburg to Culp’s Hill, where at night July 2nd, repulsed the advance of Johnson’s Division ofEwell’s Corps, then moved to the right to reinforce the 12th Corps, as recorded on tablet in boulder to the right of the hill. It lost in the battle 13 killed, 105 wounded and 99 missing.

Location of the July 1 position marker to the 14th Brooklyn at Gettysburg

The July 1 position marker for the 14th New York State Militia is northwest of Gettysburg on the east side of Stone Avenue about 265 yards south of Chambersburg Road. (39°50’08.9″N 77°15’10.5″W)

Position marker on Culp’s Hill

Monument showing the regiment's position on Culp's Hill on July 2nd

Monument showing the regiment’s position on Culp’s Hill on July 2nd

From the tablet on the marker on Culp’s Hill:

14th. [Brooklyn] Infantry, N.Y.S.M. [84th N.Y. Vols.]
2d. Brig. 1st. Division. 1st. Corps.

Here at about 9 p.m. July 2nd, 1863 the Regiment while moving from the position to the left of this to reinforce Greene’s Brigade, unexpectedly encountered the advance of Johnson’s Division of Ewell’s Corps, which had crossed the abandoned works and was advancing towards the Baltimore Pike. By opening fire on them the Regiment caused them to halt until the 12th Corps returned and drove them back.

At Daylight July 3rd the Regiment rejoined the Brigade, but soon afterwards moved again to the right to reinforce the 12th Corps and fought in the trenches and lay in reserve until the repulse of the enemy.

In the first day’s battle this Regiment was heavily engaged with the 1st Corps at the Railroad beyond the Seminary as indicated by a monument there.

It lost in the battle 13 killed, 105 wounded and 99 missing.

The dedication date of 1890 is carved into the boulder holding the 14th Brooklyn Regiment's tablet on Culp's Hill

The dedication date of 1890 is carved into the boulder holding the 14th Brooklyn Regiment’s tablet on Culp’s Hill

From the top of the boulder holding the tablet:

Dedicated A.D. 1890

Location of the July 2nd & 3rd position marker

The July 2nd & 3rd position marker for the 14th New York State Militia is southeast of Gettysburg on Culp’s Hill 20 yards east of the intersection of Slocum and Williams Avenues. (39°49’01.5″N 77°13’10.5″W)

See more on the history of the 84th New York Infantry (14th New York State Militia) in the Civil War