71st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
"California Regiment"

The monument to the Seventy First Pennsylvania Infantry is south of Gettysburg at The Angle. see map >

From the front of the monument:

California Regiment

71 Pennsylvania Vols.
commanded by
Col. R. Penn Smith
carried into action
24 officers 307 enlisted men
casualties
Killed 2 officers 19 enlisted men
Wounded 3 officers 55 enlisted men
Missing 3 officers 16 enlisted men
Total 98.

2. Brig. 2. Div. 2. Corps.

Frmo the rear:

Philadelphia Brigade

To the left of this point on July 2, the 71st Penna. assisted in repulsing the furious attack of
Wright's Ga. Brig. During the terrific cannonading
of July 3, the regiment occupied a position 60
yards in the rear of this spot, a number of
the men voluntarily helping to work
Cushing's disabled Battery. As the enemy
emerged from Seminary Ridge the regiment
was ordered forward, the left wing to this
point, the right to the right in the
rear. When Pickett's Division rushed upon
the wing in overwhelming numbers
it fell back into line with the right,
thus bringing the whole regiment into
action, with the additional use of a
large number of loaded muskets gathered
from the battle field of the previous day.
The Regiment captured a number
of prisoners and three flags.

From the left side:

Patriotism

This Regiment was organized April 29,
1861. Being the first 3 year regiment
to complete its organization, it was
enlisted in Philadelphia by Senator
E.D. Baker and Isaac J. Wistar by special
authority from the War Department
to be credited to the State of
California and was known as the
"California Regiment." After the death
of Colonel E.D. Baker at Ball's Bluff,
Oct. 21, 1861, it was claimed by its
native state and became the
71. Pennsylvania.

From the right side:

Heroism

The 71. Pennsylvania participated in
all the principal battles of the Army
of the Potomac and most of the minor
ones until mustered out
at the expiration of its term of
service July 2, 1864. It numbered during
its service nearly 2300 men. The total
loss during that period being about 1800.

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Richard Penn Smith. It brought 331 men to the field, losing 21 killed, 58 wounded and 19 missing.

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