59th New York Infantry Monument

The 59th New York Infantry Division Monument is one of the several Gettysburg monuments that honor soldiers from the New York companies. Most of the men from the 59th Infantry Division (also known as “Union Guards”) were recruited from the streets of New York, while a number of others came from central Ohio. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Max A. Thoman, these soldiers held the Union's line at Cemetery Ridge against Brigadier General Ambrose R. Wright and his men.

Lieutenant Colonel Thoman was a liquor salesman in the city of New York and was also nicknamed “Jack of Diamonds.” When the Civil War started, Thoman accepted a commission as a Captain and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On the second day of Gettysburg, Thoman was mortally wounded by an artillery shell. The commander endured nine days of pain before succumbing to his wounds on July 11, 1863. Six other members of the unit were killed and 28 were seriously wounded. Each of these men are buried at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

The 59th New York Infantry Division lost 14 officers, 129 enlisted men were killed and 127 to disease and of that 64 died in Confederate prisons.

The monument was dedicated July 8, 1889, by the state of New York.  It is inscribed on each of its four sides:

 Front

59th New York Infantry 3d Brig. 2d Div. 2d Corps.

Left

Commanders: W.L. Tidball, M.A. Thoman, H.P. Rugg,W.A. Olmstead

 Back

Four companies of this regiment held this position July 2 and 3 1863.Where Max A. Thoman,Lieut. Colonel in command,Fell mortally wounded.

Casualties; Killed 6, wounded 28

 Right

Mustered in July 4, 1861. Participated in 23 Engagements Mustered out June 30, 1865