13th Vermont Infantry Regiment

The monment to the Thirteenth Vermont Infantry Regiment is south of Gettysburg on Hancock Avenue. (see map) It was dedicated in 1899 by the State of Vermont.

Three nearby markers show the regiment's position on July 3rd as it advanced to attack the flank of Pickett's Charge.

The 13th was commanded by Colonel Francis V. Randall until he took over the brigade on July 3rd. Lieutenant Colonel William D. Munson then led the regiment until he was wounded, when Major Joseph J. Boynton took over.

The 13th was part of the 1st Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Brigade.

From the front of the monument:

Thirteenth Vermont
Volunteer Infantry
1862 - 1863
On this field the right regiment of
Stannard's Vermont Brigade
Third Brigade Third Division First Corps

July 2. Five companies under Lieut.-Colonel Wm. D. Munson supported Batteries on Cemetery Hill. Near evening the other five companies commanded by Colonel Francis V. Randall charged to the Rogers House on the Emmitsburg Road, captured 83 prisoners and recaptured 4 guns after which they took position here and were soon joined by the five companies from Cemetery Hill."

July 3. In the morning 100 men advanced 45 yards under the fire of sharpshooters and placed a line of rail. When the Confederate column crossed the Emmitsburg Road the regiment advanced to the rail breastworks and opened fire as the Confederates obliqued to their left. The regiment changed front forward on first company advanced 200 yards attacking the Confederate right flank throwing it into confusion and capturing 243 prisoners.

Officers and men engaged 480. Killed and mortally wounded 22, other wounded 80.

From the left side:

The regiment volunteered in the summer of 1862 and with 968 officers and men was mustered into service October 10, 1862. The average age of the men being 23 years.

Prior to the Gettysburg campaign it served chiefly picketing a line betwen Centreville and Occoquan Va. Fourty-eight hours after the army passed pusuing the enemy to this field the regiment was ordered to join the First Corps.

Haste was so urgent that an order forbade leaving the ranks for water and after forced marches with all the attendant privations incident thereto an lack of rations by reason of the commisary train being diverted it arrived on the battle field July 1.

Mustered out at Brattleboro Vt. July 21, 1863.

This monument was erected by one hundred and ninety-three of the survivors in 1899.

From the rear:

Francis V. Randall, Captain Second Vermont Infantry, Colonel Thirteenth Vermont Infantry, Colonel Seventeenth Vermont Infantry.

July 2 In the charge Colonel Randall fell with his wounded horse but soon overtook and led the line on foot. July 3; When the Confederates began to yield to the flank attack and his order to cease firing was not heard he rushed in front of his line and by word and gesture made himself understood and thus saved the lives of many foes. He died at Northfield, Vermont, March 1, 1865. In 1893 the survivors of the Thirteenth erected a monument at his grave.

From the right side:

The statue represents Lieutenant Stephen F. Brown Co. K, who arrived on the field without a sword* but seizing a camp hatchet carried it in the battle until he captured a sword from a Confederate officer. Persevering and determined like him were all the men of this regiment of Green Mountain boys.

From the first position marker:

13th Vt.
F.V. Randall, Colonel
Right of Stannard's
Brigade
1st Position 3d Day
2d 45 yds. in front

From the second position marker:

13th Vt,
F.V. Randall Colonel
Right of Stannard's
Brigade
2d position 3d day
Next 200 yds to right

From the third position marker:

13th Vt.
F.V. Randall, Colonel,
Right of Stannard's
Brigade,
3d Position 3d Day
Struck Pickett's
flank here.

*On the march to Gettysburg, Brown ordered a guard to stand aside to let his men drink from a well, was placed under arrest and relieved of his sword. The original design for the monument had Brown carrying the hatchet, but when commissioners objected it was replaced with the captured sword and the hatchet placed at his feet.

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