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Union monuments at Gettysburg > Pennsylvania > Cavalry 

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The monument to the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment is northwest of Gettysburg on Buford Avenue. (Buford Avenue tour map)

About the monument

The granite monument is just under twelve feet tall. Modeled after the regiment’s Sergeant George W. Ferree, it represents in carved relief a mounted cavalryman standing on picket, carbine in hand. On the reverse is the crossed sabers symbol of the Cavalry Corps. The monument was dedicated on September 11, 1889 by the State of Pennsylvania. It stood in front of the Forney farmhouse, which served as regimental headquarters during the battle. The badly deteriorated farmhouse was demolished in 1938 during the construction of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial.

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Gettysburg

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel Josiah H. Kellogg of Erie. It brought 448 men to the field, losing four wounded.

The 17th was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps. Companies D & H were detached to 5th Corps HQ and Company K was detached to 11th Corps HQ.

From the monument:

17th Pennsylvania Cavalry

2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps,
Army of the Potomac

The Regiment held this position on the morning of July 1, 1863, from 5 O’clock until
the arrival of First Corps troops. The Brigade then moved to the right, covering the
roads to Carlisle and Harrisburg and holding the enemy in check until relieved by troops
of the Eleventh Corps. It then took position on the right flank of the infantry, and, later, aided in
covering the retreat of the 11th Corps to Cemetery Hill, where it went
into position with the Division on the left of the army.

Recruited in Beaver, Susquehanna, Lancaster, Bradford, Lebanon, Cumberland, Franklin,
Schuylkill, Perry, Luzerne, Montgomery, Chester and Wayne Counties

Mustered in September 1st, 1862. Mustered out June 16th, 1865.

The regiment in whole or in part participated in 55 engagements among which were the following:
Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern, Sheridan’s First Expedition, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Raid, Deep Bottom, Fishers Hill, Winchester, Gordonsville, Goochland C.H., Five Forks, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox

Location of the monument to the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Gettysburg

The monument to the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment is northwest of Gettysburg on the east side of Buford Avenue just south of Mummasburg Road. Buford is one way northbound. (39°50’50.4″N 77°14’43.7″W)

See more on the history of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in the Civil War