15th and 50th New York Engineer Battalion

Commander:

15th Battalion: Maj. William L. Cassin

50th Battalion: Col. William H. Pettis

Dedicated: Sept. 17, 1890.

Location: Pleasonton Avenue, north side. The 15th & 50th Engineers were not actually present at Gettysburg; they laid pontoons over the Rappahannock and Monocacy in June 1863 to facilitate troop movements.

Description:  Monument consists of three coursed piers connected by granite coursing. The center pier is shorter than the two flanking piers. A bronze tondo, relief and tablets are affixed to the piece. The monument was built with the combined state appropriations of these two units and cost $3,000.00. The bronze relief depicts the massive pontoon bridge erected to span the Potomac River to allow the Army of the Potomac to pursue the Army of Northern Virginia into the North. Monument is a miniature Corps of Engineers castle composed of coursed and rough cut granite set on a 14.3×4.9 foot base. The castle has bronze medallions, tablets, bas-reliefs, and excised inscriptions. Overall height is twelve feet.

National Park Service List of Classified Monuments Number: MN258

Sculptor: Beattie & Brooks, fabricator.

Army of the Potomac > Headquarters > Engineer Brigade