54th New York Infantry Regiment

Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Infantry

“Hiram Barney Rifles”

The monument to the 54th New York Infantry Regiment is southeast of Gettysburg on Wainwright Avenue. (Wainwright Avenue tour map) It was dedicated in 1889 by the State of New York.

The monument depicts Heinrich Michel, who was killed carrying the colors on July 2.

A position marker is in the trees along Rock Creek at the foot of Barlow’s Knoll along Howard Avenue, showing the location of a detachment of the regiment during the fighting on July 1. (Howard Avenue East tour map)

Monument to the 54th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg

The monument to the 54th New York at the foot of Cemetery Hill. The statues of Winfield Hancock (on the left) and Oliver Howard (on the right) can be seen on the top of the hill.

The 54th New York Infantry was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Major Stephen Kovacs. He was captured on July 1, and Lieutenant Ernst Both then took command. The 54th New York brought 216 men to the field and lost 7 killed, 47 wounded and 48 missing.

11th Corps Headquarters Flag 11C-1D
Text from the front of the monument:

54th Regt. N. Y. Infantry
(Hiram Barney Rifles)
1st Brig. 1st Div. 11th Corp

Tablet from the rear of the monument to the 54th New York Infantry at Gettysburg

Tablet from the rear of the monument to the 54th New York

From the tablet on the rear of the monument:

54th Regt. N. Y. Infantry
July 1st
Skirmishing on extreme right near Rock Creek.
July 2nd
At sunset, severe fighting in this position.
Casualties
Killed 7, wounded 47, missing 48,
Total loss 102.

Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain,
Rappahannock Station,
Waterloo Bridge, Freeman’s Ford,
Sulphur Springs, Groveton, Manassas,
Chantilly, Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg. 1862-3.
Front of Charleston S.C. 1864-5. 

Organized 1861.
Reenlisted 1864, mustered out 1866.

Position marker for the 54th New York

Position marker for the 54th New York on July 1st at the foot of Barlow's Knoll near Rock Creek at Getysburg

Position marker for the 54th New York on July 1st at the foot of Barlow’s Knoll near Rock Creek

From the position marker:

54th N.Y. Infantry
A detail of 45 men from this regiment occupied this position
July 1st 1863

Location of the main monument

The main monument to the 54th New York is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Wainwrght Avenue 300 yards north of Slocum Avenue. (39°49’19.8″N 77°13’40.1″W)

Location of the position marker

The position marker to the 54th New York is north of Gettysburg about 170 yards east of Barlow’s Knoll in the woods along the west side of Rock Creek. (39°50’44.4″N 77°13’27.8″W)