Union Monuments - Delaware

1st Delaware Infantry Regiment

The monument to the First Delaware Infantry is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Hancock Avenue near the Brian Farm. A marker showing the position of the Regiment's skirmish line on July 2 and 3 (bottom right) is at the location of the Bliss farm.

Monument location: 39.8146 N, 77.235455 W; see map

The monument was dedicated in 1885 by the State of Delaware, and the position marker the following year.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward P. Harris commanded the regiment at the start of the battle. He was put under arrest on July 2nd for withdrawing the regiment from the Bliss farm buildings without authorization. Captain Thomas Bullock Hizard took over until he was wounded on July 2nd. Lieutenant William Smith then took command until he was killed on July 3. Lieutenant John Dent then took over for the rest of the battle. Lt. Colonel Harris was restored to command on July 4.

The regiment brought 288 men to Gettysburg, of whom 10 were killed, 54 wounded and 13 missing.

Lieutenant James P. Postles, Corporal Bernard McCarren and Private John B. Mayberry were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions at Gettysburg, Postles for a wild 600 yard ride carrying orders under intense fire and McCarren and Mayberry for capturing the flag of the 7th North Carolina (or according to some sources, the 13th Alabama.).

The diamond on the monument does not refer to the symbol of the 3rd Union Army Corps as on many other Gettysburg monuments, but to Delaware's nickname as the "Diamond State."

From the front of the monument:

Position
held by
the the 1st Reg.
Del. Vol.
Infantry
2nd Brig. 3rd Div.
2nd Army Corps
July 2nd
and 3rd
1863

Erected by the State of
Delaware to commemorate
the gallantry of her sons.
A.D. 1885

From the Bliss farm marker:

Advance skirmish line
of
1st Reg. Del. Vols
July 2nd and 3rd 1863

The 1st Delaware Infantry is also honored with a monument at Antietam.

See more on the 1st Delaware Infantry in the Civil War.