54th New York Infantry

Alternate Designations: Hiram Barney Rifles; Black Rifles.

Commander: Maj. Stephen Kovacs (ca. 1825-1884), captured on July 1; Lt. Ernst Both (ca. 1830-1888).

Numbers: 216; 7 killed, 47 wounded, 48 missing.

Raised: New York City. The 54th New York Infantry was organized in Hudson, New York beginning August 30, 1861 and mustered in September 5, 1861 through October 16, 1861.

Dedicated: July 4, 1890.

Location: Wainwright Avenue. It indicates the position held by the 54th New York Infantry on July 2 and 3, 1863.

Description: Vertical marker with a relief of a uniformed color bearer who has just been struck by a bullet. A State Seal tondo is affixed to the front cap and the 11th Corps crescent insignia is affixed to the reverse cap of the marker, which sits on a tiered base. Monument that has two flanking markers and one position marker. Monument is a smooth cut Concord granite shaft with bronze set on an 8×4.2 foot rough cut double base. The shaft has a bronze bas-relief, state seal, an excised inscription, and tablet on the west face. Flanking markers are one foot square. The figure on the monument is 20-year old shoemaker Heinrich Michel, who died on July 2, 1863 carrying the regimental colors. The crescent was stolen in 1980 and replaced in 1981.

National Park Service List of Classified Monuments Number: MN298A

Sculptor: Caspar Buberl

Other Monuments: Main Monument | Position Stone

Army of the Potomac > Eleventh Corps > First Division > First Brigade