Union monuments - New York Artillery & Cavalry

6th New York Cavalry Regiment
"Ira Harris Guard"

The monument to the Sixth New York Cavalry is west of Gettysburg on Buford Avenue. (see map) It was erected by the State of New York and dedicated on July 11, 1889 by Colonel W. L. Heermance.

The 6th New York Cavalry was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Major William Elliott Beardsley while Colonel Thomas Devin commanded the brigade. It brought 407 men to the field, picketing the west side of Gettysburg on June 30 and holding back Confederate infantry until relieved by the Union First Army Corps on July 1st. It then shifted east to cover the York Road, eventually retiring to south of town near the Peach Orchard on Emmitsburg Road. The regiment lost one killed, three wounded and eight missing.

The front and back of the monument feature bronze reliefs by sculptor James E. Kelley, who also sculpted the statue of Brigadier General John Buford. The bronze was cast by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York. The granite work was done by Frederick & Field of Quincy Mass. The imposing monument cost $8,500, a sizeable sum at the time.

The monument, over 25 feet high, was badly damaged by lightning in October of 2007, but has been completely restored.

From the front of the monument:

6th New York Cavalry
Ira Harris Guard

2d Brigade, 1st Division
Cavalry Corps

From the rear:

Regiment organized in New York City.
Mustered into service
September, 1861. Re-enlisted as
Veteran Volunteers at
Culpeper Court House, Va.
Dec. 16, 1863. Mustered out of
service June 17, 1865.
Total number enlisted 1969.
Total casualties, officers 34, men 382.

Principal engagements
Barnett's Ford, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Frederick, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Aldie, Upperville, Gettysburg, Boonsboro, Williamsport, Culpeper Court House, Mine Run, Morton's Ford, Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spottsylvania, Yellow Tavern, Sheridan's Raid Around Richmond, Hawe's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, White House, Deep Bottom, Shepherdstown, Front Royal, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Dinwiddie C.H., Apomattox Station
and 46 other battles and skirmishes.

Regiment at Gettysburg
Arrived June 30, 1863.
July 1st skirmished dismounted,
on this line until arrival of 1st Corps
and the rest of the day on right of
the York Road, then retired to Cemetery
Hill, one squadron being among the
last Union troops in Gettysburg
on that day. Bivouacked in Peach
Orchard that night, and engaged
enemy's skirmishers on the morning
of July 2 until relieved by
troops of the 3rd Corps.
Then moved to Taneytown and on
the third to Westminster, from
which place moved with the
Division (Buford's) in pursuit
of the enemy, met and engaged them
July 8th at Boonsboro, Md.,
holding that position.
Casualties
killed 1, wounded 5, missing 16
total 22.

Thomas C. Devin
First Colonel
Brevet Major-General
6th New York Cavalry

The 6th was part of the Cavalry Corps - 1st Division - 2nd Brigade, but half the regiment was detached on various assignments: Company A was assigned to 3rd Corps HQ, Companies D & K to 2nd Corps HQ, Company L to the 1st Cavalry Division - 2nd Brigade - Provost Guard, and Companies F & H were at Yorktown, Virginia

See more about the 6th New York Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War