Union monuments at Gettysburg > Ohio
The monument to the 5th Ohio Infantry Regiment is southeast of Gettysburg at Pardee Field south of Culp’s Hill. (Culp’s Hill South tour map) A tablet on a boulder a short distance behind the monument marks the location where the first man of the regiment was killed at Gettysburg. A marker on the north side of Little Round Top at Wheatfield Road shows the regiment’s position after its arrival on the battlefield late on July 1. (Little Round Top tour map)
Colonel John H. Patrick, a tailor from Cincinnatti, Ohio, commanded the 5th Ohio Infantry at Gettysburg. The regiment brought 315 men to the field and lost 2 men killed.
There is also a monument to the 5th Ohio Infantry at Antietam.
Monument to the 5th Ohio Infantry at Gettysburg. The boulder with the plaque is in the distance to the left of the monument. Sprangler’s Lane ran from the right of the photo, behind the monument, up the hill and in front of the boulder.
Symbolism on the monuments
Both the monument and the tablet on the bolder behind it feature the image of an owl. This was a symbol for the “Wide Awakes,” a militaristic pro-Lincoln Northern political organization whose Cincinnati Chapter sponsored the formation of the 5th Ohio Infantry.
“Boys, keep the colors up!” also appears on both monument and plaque. These were the last words of Captain George B. Whitcom, who was killed at the Battle of Kernstown on March 23, 1862. After four of the 5th Ohio’s color bearers were shot down Captain Whitcom grabbed the colors and shouted the command before he was struck over the eye and killed.
Just beneath the owl (which is perched under the shelter of a pair of knapsacks), the monument also features the star that is the symbol of the 12th Corps on the front as well as the sides of the monument. A relief of a bayoneted rifle crossed with the national colors is on the front face. The monument was dedicated on September 14, 1887.
 |
 |
Main monument to the 5th Ohio Infantry
From the front of the monument
Boys, keep the colors up
5th Ohio Infantry
1st Brigade
2nd Division, 12th Corps
Erected by the State of Ohio
From the right side of the monument
5th Ohio Infantry
—-
Gettysburg
July 1.2.3. 1863
—-
Present for duty 315.
Killed 2
Wounded 6
Total Loss 18
Cincinnati Regiment
View of the front and side of the monument. The monument to the 147th Pennsylvania is in the distance on the extreme left of the photo.
From the left side of the monument
5th Ohio Infantry
—-
Arriving in position at 5 p.m. July 1. Was detached and held extreme left of line on north side of Little Round Top. Morning of July 2 moved to Culp’s Hill and at evening moved as far as Rock Creek to reenforce the left. Returned to Culp’s Hill during the night and on morning of July 3 was engaged where this monument stands until 11 a.m. in repulsing the enemy and retaking the Union works.
Cincinnati Regiment
From the rear of the monument
5th Ohio Infantry
Organized June 21, 1861
Mustered out July 26, 1865
Principal Engagements
Blue’s Gap
Winchester-1862
Lewiston-Near Port Republic
Cedar Mountain
Antietam
Dumfries
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg
Wauhatchie
Lookout Mountain
Rocky Face
Resaca
New Hope Church
Little Kenesaw
Peach Tree Creek
Atlanta
Savannah
Carolina Campaign
5th Ohio Infantry
1st Brigade
2nd Division 12th Corps
Boulder with the badge of the 5th Ohio Infantry
The badge of the 5th Ohio Infantry is on a boulder a short distance to the left and behind the main monument.
Boulder with the badge of the 5th Ohio Infantry
Location of the monument to the 5th Ohio Infantry at Gettysburg
The monument to the 5th Ohio is south of Gettysburg on Culp’s Hill. It is on the west side of Geary Avenue about 100 yards southwest of its intersection with Slocum Avenue. (39°49’02.3″N 77°13’10.6″W)
Position marker on the north side of Little Round Top
Marker showing the position of the regiment on Little Round Top on July 1
From the marker:
5th Regt
Ohio Vols.
Location of the position marker for the 5th Ohio Infantry at Gettysburg
The marker is on the north side of Little Round Top. It is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Sykes Avenue and Wheatfield Road.(39°47’40.5″N 77°14’03.7″W)