44th New York Infantry

Alternate Designations: People’s Ellsworth Regiment; Ellsworth’s Avengers.

Commander: Col. James C. Rice (Dec. 27, 1829-May 10, 1864), took command of brigade; Lt. Col. Freeman Conner (1836-1906).

Numbers: 460; 26 killed, 82 wounded, 3 missing.

Raised: Erie, Albany, and Oneida, with some representatives from almost every county in the state.

Dedicated: July 3, 1893.

Location: West of Sykes Avenue on summit of Little Round Top. Marks the location held by the 44th New York Infantry on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 during the Confederate attack on Little Round Top.

Description: A monument structure comprised of granite blocks with interior chamber, arched throughway and castellated top, and round turret tower on one side. The monument was designed and modeled by Hammerstein & Denivelle. Designed to look like a castle, the monument is filled with symbolism, including the interior chamber being 12 feet square to honor the 12th Infantry and the tower’s height of 44 feet to honor the 44th Infantry. Visitors can walk up the narrow staircase inside the tower to an observation deck. Inside, bas reliefs honor Francis Barlow (another former commander) and Butterfield; also included are bronze plaques containing each company’s muster rolls. The monument is made of Maine and Prospect Hill Granite. This monument has not been materially altered or changed. For a long time, the staircase to the observation deck was closed.

Fox notes of the 44th New York: “The enlisted men in this regiment were the finest of any in the service. They were recruited from every county in the State, in conformity to requirements calling for unmarried, able-bodied men, not over thirty years of age, not under five feet eight inches in height, and of good moral character.”

Army of the Potomac > Fifth Corps > First Division > Third Brigade