This monument, dedicated on July 1, 1888, marks the area of McPherson Woods west of the Lutheran Theological Seminary where the 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George F. McFarland, fought against General A.P. Hill's Army of Northern Virginia's I Corps on the 1st Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 1863). The regiment fought on open plains for most of the day either anchoring the Army of the Potomac's I Corps left flank or supporting the Iron Brigade as it was engaged further west. When the I Corps line collapsed under greater Confederate pressure the survivors of the regiment retreated to Cemetery Hill, where it was held in reserve on the second day. Lieutenant Colonel McFarland was severely injured and captured during the retreat, and sustained wounds that caused the amputation of his right leg. During Pickett's celebrated charge on the third day, the regiment, under command of Captain Walter L. Owens of Company D (who had succeeded Captain William Boltz, who had been captured on the First Day), was positioned south of the "Copse of Trees", enduring the Confederate cannonade and then helping to repulse Pickett's Charge. The regiment took a terrible pounding during the battle, losing 337 out of 446 men engaged, with a total of 80 killed or mortally wounded. Both totals are second only to the 24th Michigan Infantry for the greatest number causalities and deaths for any Union regiment during the Battle. The 151st Pennsylvania was known as the "School Teachers Regiment", and was a nine-month enlistment unit. Less than a month after the Battle the regiment was mustered out of Federal service.
This monument, dedicated on July 1, 1888, marks the area of McPherson Woods west of the Lutheran Theological Seminary where the 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George F. McFarland, fought against General A.P. Hill's Army of Northern Virginia's I Corps on the 1st Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 1863). The regiment fought on open plains for most of the day either anchoring the Army of the Potomac's I Corps left flank or supporting the Iron Brigade as it was engaged further west. When the I Corps line collapsed under greater Confederate pressure the survivors of the regiment retreated to Cemetery Hill, where it was held in reserve on the second day. Lieutenant Colonel McFarland was severely injured and captured during the retreat, and sustained wounds that caused the amputation of his right leg. During Pickett's celebrated charge on the third day, the regiment, under command of Captain Walter L. Owens of Company D (who had succeeded Captain William Boltz, who had been captured on the First Day), was positioned south of the "Copse of Trees", enduring the Confederate cannonade and then helping to repulse Pickett's Charge. The regiment took a terrible pounding during the battle, losing 337 out of 446 men engaged, with a total of 80 killed or mortally wounded. Both totals are second only to the 24th Michigan Infantry for the greatest number causalities and deaths for any Union regiment during the Battle. The 151st Pennsylvania was known as the "School Teachers Regiment", and was a nine-month enlistment unit. Less than a month after the Battle the regiment was mustered out of Federal service.
Bio by: RPD2
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