Union Monuments, New York Infantry

The Excelsior Brigade
70th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd & 74th
New York Infantry Regiments

The monument to New York's Excelsior Brigade is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue in Excelsior Field. (see map)
It was dedicated in 1893 by the State of New York.

Marker stones (right, center and below) showing the positions of each the brigade's regiments extend north of the monument along the fenceline to United States Avenue.

Daniel Sickles raised this brigade of five regiments early in 1861 and commanded them at Seven Pines and during the Seven Days battles. By Gettysburg he had risen to corps command, but the Excelsior Brigade would always be connected to its controverisal commander.

From the monument:

Sickles' Excelsior Brigade E pluribus unum.

2d Division, 3d Corps
Colonel W. R. Brewster commanding

Position July 2, 1863, 2 to 6 p.m.
July 3, Supported left center

70th New York Infantry
(1st Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmittsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
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Casualties,
32 killed, 81 wounded, 4 missing
Total 117.
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 1, 1864.

71st New York Infantry
(2nd Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Carr's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of the Emmittsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
----
Casualties,
14 killed - 64 wounded - 13 missing
Total 91
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 30, 1864.

72nd New York Infantry
(3rd Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Car's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of Emmittsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
----
Casualties
7 killed - 94 wounded - 15 missing
Total 116
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out July 19, 1864.

73rd New York Infantry
(4th Excelsior, "2nd Fire Zouaves")
At 5:30 p.m. July 2, 1863, this regiment was detached to support General Graham's Brigade at the Peach Orchard which was heavily attacked by McLaws' Division of the Confederate Army. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
----
Casualties
51 killed -103 wounded - 8 missing
Total 162
Mustered in July 10, 1861. Mustered out June 29, 1865.

"74th New York Infantry
(5th Excelsior)
On the afternoon of the 2nd of July 1863, the brigade of which this regiment formed a part, supported Car's Brigade in resisting the assault of the enemy along the line of Emmittsburg Road. On July 3rd, supported the left centre of the army.
----
Casualties
17 killed - 69 wounded - 3 missing
Total 8
Mustered in June 20, 1861. Mustered out June 26, 1864.

The Excelsior Brigade was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel William R. Brewster of the 73rd New York. He was senior colonel of the brigade and took command after Brigadier General Joseph Revere was court-martialled and dismissed for withdrawing the brigade without orders after the Battle of Chancellorsville.

The 70th New York Infantry Regiment was commanded by Colonel John E. Farnum. See a historical timeline of the 70th New York Infantry during the Civil War

The 71st New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel Henry R. Potter, who was wounded on July 2. See a historical timeline of the 71st New York Infantry during the Civil War

The 72nd New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel John S. Austin. He was wounded on July 2nd, and Lieutenant Colonel John Leonard then took command. See a historical timeline of the 72nd New York Infantry during the Civil War

The 73rd New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Major Michael W. Burns while Colonel Brewster commanded the brigade. The 73rd is also honored at Gettysburg by its own monument. See a historical timeline of the 73rd New York Infantry during the Civil War

The 74th New York Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holt. See a historical timeline of the 74th New York Infantry during the Civil War