Union Monuments - Delaware

State of Delaware

The State of Delaware monument is south of Gettysburg on Taneytown Road near the old Cyclorama building. It was dedicated in 2000 by the State of Delaware.

The granite monument was designed by W. Barksdale Maynard. It holds a 5' x 6' bronze bas-relief depicting the 1st and 2nd Delaware counterattcking Pickett's Charge that was created by sculptor Ron Tunison, who also created the statue of General Crawford, the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial and the Women's Memorial at Gettybsburg and the bas reliefs on the Irish Brigade monument at Antietam.

Location: 39.8161 N, 77.23247 W; see map

From the front of the monument:

Delaware

From the base on the rear, below the tablet with the rosters of the First and Second Delaware Regiments:

Delaware at Gettysburg

The First and Second Delaware Infantry Regiments arrived on the battlefield early on July 2 and took positions in the Federal line along Cemetery Ridge. That day, both units distinguished themselves in fierce fighting. The First defended the Bliss Farm. And the Second helped to hold the Wheatfield against the Confederate attempt to turn the Federal left flank on July 3. The two regiments played key roles in repulsing Lee's assault. They each lost nearly a quarter of their men at Gettysburg and were commended for distinguished service. Three soldiers received the Medal of Honor for heroism under fire and two for the capture of regimental colors. On July 5, the First and Second Delaware, with the Army of the Potomac, left Gettysburg in pursuit of Lee's army.

This memorial is dedicated to all Delawareans who fought at Gettysburg, both Union and Confederate.

Lieutenant James P. Postles, Corporal Bernard McCarren and Private John B. Mayberry of the 1st Delaware 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).

Three Delaware regiments are also honored by monuments at Antietam.