Brigadier General Samuel Kosciusko Zook

Commanding 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps

The monument to Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook is south of Gettysburg on Wheatfield Road. (see map).
It was dedicated in 1882 by the General Zook Post #11, Grand Army of the Republic.

From the monument:

To the memory of
Samuel
Kosciusko Zook.
Brevet Major
General U.S. Vols.
Who fell mortally
wounded at or near
this spot. while
gallantly leading
his brigade in battle
July 2nd 1863.
Erected by Gen. Zook
Post. No 11 G.A.R.
of Norristown, Pa.
July 25th. 1882.

Samuel Zook was born in Pennsylvania on March 27, 1822 and grew up playing soldier on the earthworks of Valley Forge. He joined the New York militia in the 1850's, at the same time becoming a pioneer in telegraphy. He eventually became superintendent of the Washington and New York Telegraph Company and was Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th New York State Militia when the war began.

After the three month term of the militia expired in October of 1861 he became colonel of the 57th New York Infantry Regiment . He fought in the Peninsula, but missed Antietam due to medical problems. At Fredericksburg, Zook took his brigade as far as any in the terrible attack on Marye's Heights, earning promotion to brigadier general.

At Gettysburg Zook was badly wounded as he led his brigade on horseback into the Wheatfield. He was moved to a tollhouse on the Baltimore Pike, then moved further down the road when it was feared that the Confederate attack might succeed. He died on July 3rd and is buried in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

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