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Civil War Blog

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A Searchable Index to the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg

Posted By on March 6, 2013

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The Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg, previously featured in many posts here on this blog, now has a searchable name index.  That index is provided by Steve Maczuga on his web site, Pennsylvanians in the Civil War.

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Searching is easy.  Just go to the web site, enter the last name of the soldier in the box, and “submit query.”

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In the above example, the name of “Keiser” is entered (for Henry Keiser, who was from Gratz and Lykens and served at Gettysburg with the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry).

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The inquiry submission results in six names.  Henry Keiser is noted to have served in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G.  Simply “Click to View Panel on Monument” and the correct panel appears.  Scroll down to Company G, and Henry Keiser is found listed as a Corporal.  Those with the surname of Keiser who do not have a regiment listed served in the Emergency Force of 1863 and are correctly noted on the monument plaques.

One caveat.  When searching for a member of the cavalry, the “line” regiment number will be displayed.  For example, for the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry, the results display will read “60” rather than “3”  since the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry was also known as the 60th Regiment.  The same caveat applies when searching for a member of the artillery.

Also, the name will appear in the index spelled as it appears on the monument, and some names of Pennsylvanians who were at Gettysburg are missing, as was pointed out here on this blog in a post entitled, Correcting Errors on the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monument.  One of the readers of this blog, in correspondence with the National Park Service, discovered that no changes or additions are permitted to any of the battlefield monuments.  It is now policy for such changes and additions, when proven, to be placed in the park archives.  Corrections, with proof that the soldier served at Gettysburg, should be sent to:  Historian’s Office, Resource Planning, Gettysburg National Military Park, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325.

The above photo is not interactive. To see the interactive photo, click here.

The second way Steve Maczuga provides to approach the Gettysburg plaques is from an interactive set of photographs that show each side of the monument.  By moving the mouse across the area of the plaques, or to the center of the monument, the names of the regiments or other tribute that appear on the plaques are noted.  By clicking in that area, a full-size, high-resolution photo of the plaque opens.  While the plaques are in numerical order around the base and within the interior (for the cavalry), it is helpful to be able to locate the side and exact location of the plaque.

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This feature is accessed from the home page of the site, by clicking on the words, “Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg.” (shown above).

Despite the difficulty of compiling a completely accurate listing of all the names that are on the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monument, Steve Maczuga has done an admirable job in making this index available.  It should assist researchers and genealogists in easily locating a soldier’s name and obtaining a picture of the plaque where the name appears.  The site also remains as an excellent source of searching for a specific regiment in which a soldier served and of getting listings of the other soldiers who served in the same regiment and company.

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This post is the 77th post on this blog on the subject of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Additional posts are expected to follow as the 150th Anniversary of the battle approaches.


Comments

11 Responses to “A Searchable Index to the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg”

  1. Debra Matovic says:

    Good Day and Thank You! I have two Great-Great Uncles from the 149th Regiment Company H. One Andrew O. Johnson and the other is George M. Johnson. You have helped me to clarify their dates as prisoners at Andersonville. However, I was wondering what further information you have on George, specifically his middle name. There is some discrepancy as to what it is due to the fact that all records of his burnt in a fire in 1912. There are some that say it was McDowell and some that say Mifflin Dallas (which at the moment is a mystery as to why). I can not find any records that show his middle name other than as a “M”. Would you have any records from his Civil War service that show his full name?

    Thank you!

  2. Inquiring about the plaque on the monument – John Huntzinger John G. Huntzinger

  3. Wallace Kocher says:

    Hello

    My great grandfather was a union soldier during the battle of
    Gettsburg and I saw his name on one the monument there. My problem is that the monument was worked on and they update the name placs and when they did, his last name was not correct. I can’t tell you when all this happen but I left it go and now I am getting older (62) and I think he deserves to have it right !!!!! If you could give me any help with who I would contact to correct it, I would be greatful

    Thanks
    Wally

    HIs name was Alexander Kocher and was with the 81st pa infantry and I believe he inlisted in Easton, Pa. and at that time he lived in White Haven, Pa.

  4. Jackson Smith Fry says:

    I believe he also had a brother Samuel. His name is also on the monument. Jackson was in the cavalry.

  5. Kathleen Berube says:

    I’m trying to locate my great grandfather John H Shern(could also be Sharon). He was from Clearfield Cambria, Pennsylvania. He died in 1897 leaving a pension for my Great grandmother. I was told his name was on a monument at Gettysburg. He was in the cavalry. He was discharged and then reenlisted.

    • Scott Hann says:

      Hello. There’s a Sergeant John Sharon, Company I, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry on the Pennsylvania Memorial. Also a Private L. Sharon, same regiment and company. Perhaps a relative? Hope this helps! Below are their brief military records. Scott

      John Sharon
      Residence Perry County PA;
      Enlisted on 10/3/1862 as a Sergeant.
      On 10/3/1862 he mustered into “I” Co. PA 17th Cavalry
      He was Mustered Out on 6/16/1865 at Washington, DC
      Promotions:
      * Quarter Master Sergeant 1/1/1865

      Lawrence Sharon
      Residence Perry County PA;
      Enlisted on 10/28/1862 as a Blacksmith.
      On 10/28/1862 he mustered into “I” Co. PA 17th Cavalry
      He was transferred out on 6/17/1865 at Washington, DC
      On 6/17/1865 he transferred into “I” Co. PA 2nd Provisional Cavalry
      He was Mustered Out on 8/7/1865 at Louisville, KY

  6. Richard A. Plank says:

    Family Tradition says that my Great Great Grandfather: George Washington Englerth fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. He had previously served and was conscripted from Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Unfortunately I forget his regiment, but the 30th PA seems to ring a bell.

    Did he serve at Gettysburg?

  7. Richard A. Plank says:

    If anyone is searching for information about the family Dukeman from East Earl, PA, I have some information to share. I have some photographs, but not in uniform of the men of that generation.

  8. mike karstetter says:

    can you help me find the three Karstetters that are listed on the pa state monument? thank you , Mike

  9. Doris Mepham says:

    Thomas D. Peden served 12th regiment, PA Reserve Infantry, 41st volunteers
    Name should be on Pennsylvania Monument.