Union monuments at Gettysburg • Maine at Gettysburg
There are two monuments to the 17th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment on the Gettysburg battlefield. The main monument was dedicated in 1888. It is south of Gettysburg at the edge of The Wheatfield on DeTrobriand Avenue (DeTrobriand Avenue – The Wheatfield tour map) A position marker showing the regiment’s location on July 3 was dedicated in 1889 on Hancock Avenue in front of the Pennsylvania Memorial. (Hancock Avenue Part 2 tour map)
Monument to the 17th Maine Infantry at Gettysburg
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Benjamin Merrill commanded the 17th Maine at the Battle of Gettysburg.
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From the front of the main monument
130 killed and wounded
July 2, 1863.
17th Maine Infantry,
3rd Brigade 1st Division 3rd Corps
From the left side of the monument
350 engaged.
Lt. Col. Chas. B. Merrill commanding.
Wheat-field July 2, 1863.
Pickett’s Repulse July 3, 1863.
From a tablet on the left side
The 17th Maine fought here in the Wheatfield 2 1/2 hours, and at this position from 4:10 to 5:45 p.m., July 2, 1863. On July 3, at the time of the enemy’s assault, it reinforced the centre and supported artillery. Loss 132. Killed or mortally wounded 3 officers, 37 men. Wounded, 5 officers, 87 men.
Ths regiment of volunteers from western Maine was mustered into U.S. Service at Portland August 18, 1862, for 3 years. It took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wapping Heights, Auburn, Kelly’s Ford, Locust Grove, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, Fredericksburg Road, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Jerusalem Road, Deep Bottom, Peeble’s Farm, Fort Hell, Boydton Road, Siege of Petersburg, Hatcher’s Run, Fall of Petersburg, Detonsville, Sailor’s Creek, Farmville, Appomattox.
Aggregate actual strength in service 91 officers, 1475 men. Killed and died of wounds, 12 officers 195 men. Died of disease 4 officers, 128 men. Died in Confederate prisons, 31 men. Wounded not mortally, 33 officers, 519 men. Missing in action, fate unknown, 35 men. Total losses 357. Mustered out June 4, 1865.
Location of the main monument to the 17th Maine Infantry
The main monument to the 17th Maine is south of Gettysburg on the south side of DeTrobriand Avenue. It is 100 yards southwest of the intersection with Sickles Avenue. DeTrobriand Avenue is one way northbound. (39°47’44.7″N 77°14’39.9″W)
Position marker for the 17th Maine
Monument to the 17th Maine infantry along Hancock Avenue
From the position marker:
Position of 17th Me. Inft’y July 3, 1863
Losing here killed 2 wounded 10.
This regiment fought in the Wheatfield
as shown by monument there losing 120.
Left Flank marker for the 17th Maine on July 2
Location of the position marker for the 17th Main Infantry
The position marker for the 17th Maine is south of Gettysburg near the State of Pennsylvania Monument. It is on the west side of Hancock Avenue about 40 yards south of Pleasonton Avenue. (39°48’28.7″N 77°14’09.9″W)
See more on the history of the 17th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War