Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Infantry
The monument to the 134th New York Infantry Regiment is southeast of Gettysburg is on East Cemetery Hill. (East Cemetery Hill tour map)
The 134th New York at Gettysburg
The 134th New York was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Allan H. Jackson while Colonel Charles Coster was in command of the brigade as senior colonel. The regiment brought 488 men to the field, losing 42 killed, 151 wounded and 59 missing.
When the 11th Corps reached Gettysburg on July 1, the regiment along with its 2nd Division was held in reserve on Cemetery Hill while the rest of the corps formed for battle north of town. When that battle line began to collapse in the afternoon the regiment and its brigade were marched through town and formed on the north side of Gettysburg to cover the retreat.
It turned into disaster. The 134th New York held the right flank of the brigade, and lost over half its strength in a few minutes when assaulted and overwhelmed by Confederates of Hoke’s and Hays’ Brigades.
The survivors retreated through town and reformed on Cemetery Hill, which they defended during the attack on the evening of July 2nd and during the artillery barrage which preceded Pickett’s Charge.
Lieutenants Henry Palmer and Lucius Mead and 57 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, Captains Otis Guffin and William Mickle and 130 enlisted men were wounded, and Lieutenant John Kennedy and 57 enlisted men were captured. Lieutenant Colonel Jackson was captured during the retreat through town, but escaped and rejoined the regiment.
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Attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac |  |
Text from the front of the monument:
134th New York Infantry
1st Brigade, 2d Division, 11th Corps
From the rear:
July 1, 1863
This regiment was engaged about one quarter mile east of Gettysburg near York road.
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July 2nd and 3rd
Held this position.
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Casualties:
killed 42, wounded 151, missing 59.
Location of the main monument to the 134th New York
The main monument to the 134th New York is south of Gettysburg on East Cemetery Hill 65 yards east of the Baltimore Pike, across from the gate to the National Cemetery. (39°49’19.6″N 77°13’45.9″W)
Position Marker for the 134th New York
A position marker in town on Coster Avenue shows the location of the regiment’s fight on July 1st.
Marker for the regiment’s position on Coster Avenue
From the marker on Coster Avenue:
134th Regiment New York Infantry
Lieut. Colonel A. H. Jackson commanding.
1st Brigade, Colonel Charles R. Coster.
2d Division Brigadier General A. Von Steinwehr.
11th Corps Major General O. O. Howard
July 1st 1863
The regiment with the brigade was thrown forward to check the rapid advance of Hay’s and Hoke’s Brigades of Early’s Division Ewells Corps and protect Barlow’s Division that was being hard pressed the Confederate line of battle outflanking the brigade in overwhelming numbers.
The 134th Regiment occupying the extreme right of the Union line was crushed by the impact and and the flank and rear firing of that desperate charge.
The regimental monument on East Cemetery Hill is on the ground occupied July 2d and 3d. This tablet marks the position where its casualties were greatest of any battle in which it was ever engaged.
Loss at Gettysburg July 1st. 252
Location of the position marker for the 134th New York
The position marker to the 134th New York is on the northeast side of Gettysburg at the eastern end of Coster Avenue, which is a pedestrian extension of Stevens Street east of Hazel Alley. (39°49’00.1″N 77°14’04.0″W)