Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Cavalry
The monument to the Eighth New York Cavalry Regiment is west of Gettysburg on Reynolds Avenue. (South Reynolds Avenue tour map) The State of New York dedicated the monument on the 25th anniversary of the battle in 1888.
The regiment’s monument was originally located 1,000 feet to the north, closer to Chambersburg Road. In 1890 it was moved to its present location to make room for the monument to the 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment.
Monument to the 8th New York Cavalry Regiment on the Gettysburg battlefield
Lieutenant Colonel William L. Markell commanded the 8th New York Cavalry at the Battle of Gettysburg. It brought 623 men to the field.
From the front of the monument:
8th N. Y. Cavalry
1st Brigade, 1st Division Cavalry Corps
From the rear of the monument:
Casualties: 3 killed, 10 wounded, 21 missing.
Pickets of this regiment were attacked around 5 a.m., July 1, 1863, by the advanced skirmishers of Heth’s Confederate Division.
The regiment engaged the enemy west of Seminary Ridge, with the brigade stubbornly contesting the ground against great odds until about 10:30 a.m., when it was relieved by the advance regiments of the 1st Corps.
Location of the monument
The monument to the 8th New York Cavalry is northwest of Gettysburg. It is on the east side of Reynolds Avenue at its intersection with Meredith Avenue.