Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Infantry
70th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd & 74th
New York Infantry Regiments
New York’s Excelsior Brigade monument is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue in Excelsior Field. (see Sickles Avenue at Excelsior Field tour map) It was dedicated in 1893 by the State of New York.
Five marker stones north of the main monument show the positions of each of the brigade’s regiments along the fence line to United States Avenue. In addition, one of the five regiments, the 73rd New York Infantry, has its own monument nearby.
Daniel Sickles, a controversial United States congressman and Major in the New York militia, raised this brigade of five regiments early in 1861. The regiments were raised directly under the authority of War Department and included companies from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Michigan. In December of 1861 they were redesignated as New York regiments and assigned their numbers.
Sickles commanded the brigade at Seven Pines and during the Seven Days battles. By the time of the Battle of Gettysburg he had been promoted to corps command, but the Excelsior Brigade would always be connected to its controversial commander.
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Officially designated the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac |  |
Looking east. Sickles Avenue is behind the monument. In the distance to its left is the bullet shape of the monument to the 7th New Jersey. The monument to New Jersey’s Battery B is at the right edge of the photo, with the Greek cross of the 139th Pennsylvania Infantry monument behind it to the left. In the right distance is Wheatfield Road and the monument to the 5th Massachusetts Battery.
Text from around the top of the monument:
Sickles’ Excelsior Brigade E pluribus unum.
2d Division, 3d Corps
Colonel W. R. Brewster commanding
Position July 2, 1863, 2 to 6 p.m.
July 3, Supported left center
From around the five faces of the base of the monument:
70th New York Infantry
(1st Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr’s Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties,
32 killed, 81 wounded, 4 missing
Total 117.
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 1, 1864.
71st New York Infantry
(2nd Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr’s Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties,
14 killed – 64 wounded – 13 missing
Total 91
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 30, 1864.
72nd New York Infantry
(3rd Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr’s Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties
7 killed – 94 wounded – 15 missing
Total 116
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 19, 1864.
73rd New York Infantry
(4th Excelsior, “2nd Fire Zouaves”)
At 5:30 p.m. July 2, 1863, this regiment was detached to support General Graham’s Brigade at the Peach Orchard which was heavily attacked by McLaws’ Division of the Confederate Army. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties
51 killed -103 wounded – 8 missing
Total 162
Mustered in July 10, 1861. Mustered out June 29, 1865.
74th New York Infantry
(5th Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Car’s Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of Emmitsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties
17 killed – 69 wounded – 3 missing
Total 8
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out June 26, 1864.
The Excelsior Brigade was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel William R. Brewster of the 73rd New York. He was senior colonel of the brigade and took command after Brigadier General Joseph Revere was court-martialled and dismissed for withdrawing the brigade without orders after the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Regimental position markers
A position marker shows the location for each of the brigade’s regiments in the battle. The 70th New York Infantry Regiment was commanded by Colonel John E. Farnum.
Marker for the 70th New York of the Excelsior Brigade. The monument to the 141st Pennsylvania at the edge of the Peach Orchard is in the distance.
See more on the history of the 70th New York Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.
Marker for the 71st New York of the Excelsior Brigade. “71st N.Y.I. Sickles’ Brig.”
The 71st New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel Henry R. Potter, who was wounded on July 2.
See more about the history of the 71st New York Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.
Marker for the 71st New York
Marker for the 72nd New York of the Excelsior Brigade. “72nd N.Y.I. Sickles’ Brig.”
The 72nd New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel John S. Austin. He was wounded on July 2nd, and Lieutenant Colonel John Leonard then took command.
See more about the history of the 72nd New York Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.
Marker for the 73rd New York of the Excelsior Brigade. “73rd N.Y.I. Sickles’ Brig.”
The 73rd New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Major Michael W. Burns while Colonel Brewster commanded the brigade. The 73rd also has its own monument.
See more about the history of the 73rd New York Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.
Marker for the 73rd New York, with its main monument in the distance.
Marker for the 74th New York of the Excelsior Brigade. “74th N.Y.I. Sickles’ Brig.”
The 74th New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holt.
See more about the history of the 74th New York Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.
Marker for the 74th New York
Location of the monument to the Excelsior Brigade at Gettysburg
The monument to the Excelsior Brigade is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Sickles Avenue about 130 yards north of the Wheatfield Road. (39°48’06.4″N 77°14’51.0″W)