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Monuments at Gettysburg – 99th Pennsylvania Infantry
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 11, 2015
The 99th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located at the Devils’ Den. It was the second monument to the regiment and was erected with the funding made available in 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The first monument, originally located at Devil’s Den in 1886, was moved to Hancock Avenue in 1889.
The picture of the 1889 monument is from Steve Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has additional information about the monument and the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry.
A full description of the monument, its GPS coordinates, a picture, and some of the history of the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site. There is also information there about the first monument which was moved to Hancock Avenue and about Harvey M. Munsell of this regiment who received the Medal of Honor for meritorious service as color bearer.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer of 11 September 1889 reported on some history of the regiment and on the festivities for the dedication of the monument:
The 99th’s Veterans.
Marching, Napoleon-like, to the sound of the cannon, contrary to orders, the 99th found itself, on 2 July 1863, in the open field, facing the Devil’s Den. While forming, Major Moore was carried off wounded from the field, and Captain Peter Fritz Jr. commanded. The battle storm burst upon them shortly past 2 P.M. with unparalleled fury, but the regiment held its position unflinchingly behind its eighteen-inch breast work until 4 P.M., when relieved, and left half its men upon the field. On 3 July, Major John W. Moore was again in command, and the 99th was moved to support the 2nd Corps. The regiment in the pursuit prepared to give battle at Funkstown on the 12th, when Lee escaped across the river.
The 99th Veteran Volunteers’ programme will include: Prayer, George W. Hackman, Sergeant Company B, 99th P. V.; Report of Committee on Monument, Colonel W. M. Worrall; unveiling of the monument, Miss Chantilly Setley; presentation of the monument to the State Commission, Brevet Brigadier General Peter Fritz; reception, Colonel John P. Nicholson of the State Commission; oration, Captain Albert Magnin; benediction, George W. Hackman.
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John W. Moore was the commander of the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg. After first enrolling in the 66th Pennsylvania Infantry on 9 July 1861, Moore transferred to the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry as Captain of its Company K on 3 March 1862 and then was promoted to Major at regimental headquarters on 20 February 1863, the rank he held at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. Later, on 10 April 1864, he received his commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. On 16 September 1864, he again transferred, this time to the 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry as its Colonel. Unfortunately, Colonel Moore did not survive the war. He was killed at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and his remains were laid to rest in the Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, North Carolina. He left a widow, Ellen [McGee] Moore, who applied for pension benefits on 19 August 1865. The complete pension application file of 43 pages is available on Fold3.
Additional information about Colonel Moore can be found at his Findagrave Memorial, along with several photographs of his grave marker.
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Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg. The plaque for the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below. By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read. If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg. There could also be errors on the plaque.
Really great to read about the 99th. Samuel Ewing, Company E, was my great-great-great grandfather.
Thanks
Thaddeus Stephens Smith, Corporal, Company E. was my great-great-great-great uncle. He won the Congressional Medal of Honor at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 when he captured a log cabin full of rebel sharpshooters. I am very proud to have such an ancestor. If anyone has any more information on him, I would love to hear it.
Private Henry Landis of Company A, was my great, great, great uncle. He was wounded at Gettysburg. I’ve recently retraced his steps on the battlefield and enjoy reading all the accounts I can find of the 99th. I’d not seen this Philadelphia Inquirer article before. Thank you!