Commemoration
On May 4, 1885, the Ohio General Assembly passed an Act “To appropriate money to purchase land upon which to erect a monument to the memory of the soldiers of Ohio who died upon the battlefield of Gettysburg.” The Act appropriated $5,000 to be spent for the purpose under the direction of the Battlefield Memorial Commission. To see that this Act would be carried out in the best means, a meeting of the surviving Ohio soldiers was held at the State Capitol on July 4, 1885. At that same meeting, it was agreed upon that a committee would accompany the Adjutant-General to Gettysburg, and assist him in locating the positions in which Ohio troops fought.
After inspecting the field, the committee declared that $2,000 would be appropriated for each Ohio regiment, battery, or other organization which took part in the battle. This sum would be for the proper placement of monuments and tablets, and for keeping the grounds and memorials in good condition. On July 15 and 16, 1886, after careful inspection and examination of the positions occupied by Ohio organizations during the battle, it was decided that each organization should have its own special monument. No two would be alike in pattern and design, and each would be $1,500. On September 14, 1887, they were formally dedicated and turned over to the Gettysburg Battlefield Commission for future care and protection.
The 7th Ohio’s monument is located near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in Adams County. It is a simple stone structure located at the intersection of Slocum Avenue and Williams Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Slocum Avenue. It lies on the “saddle” between the lower and upper crest of Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg National Military Park. Dedicated on September 14, 1887, it marks the position held by the regiment on July 2 and 3, 1863. It is vertical with mostly rough-hewn surfaces and an apexed top. There is a polished inscription stone on each one of its sides. On two faces, towards the top, are State Seal and unit reliefs. A relief of crossed muskets with a wreath in the center is on the lower front sloped surface. A Corps star insignia appears on the top of the front inscription tablet. It was constructed by Smith Granite Company.
(Front) - 7th Ohio Infantry - 1st Brigade 2d Division - 12th Corps - July 1, 2, 3 1863
(Left) - Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori - 7th Ohio Infantry - Arrived near Little Round Top evening of July 1 on July 2, held positions on Culp's Hill from morning until 6 p.m. then moved with Brigade to support the left. Returned at midnight to Culp's Hill and remained there until the close of the battle.
(Back) - 7th Ohio Infantry - Mustered in for - 3 months April 30, 1861 - Mustered in for - 3 years June 21, 1861 - Mustered out in June 1864
(Right) - Ohio honors her brave sons - 7th Ohio Infantry - Served with the national armies in Virginia and the Antietam and Gettysburg Campaigns. Was transferred in September 1863 to the Army of the Cumberland and served with that Army until June 1864.
Today, the lineage and honors of the 7th Ohio are carried on by the 145th Armored Regiment, Ohio National Guard.
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