Alternate Designations: None.
Commander: Col. Peter Lyle (1821-1879), took over brigade; Maj. Alfred J. Sellers (1836-1908).
Numbers: 208; 8 killed, 45 wounded, 40 missing.
Raised: Philadelphia.
Dedicated: Sept. 3, 1889.
Location: Oak Hill, east side of Doubleday Avenue. It indicates the position held by the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry on the early afternoon of July 1, 1863, when attacked by Rodes’ Division until compelled to retreat
Description: Sculpture depicts a branchless oak tree trunk from which various objects hang. These objects include a knapsack, cartridge box, rifle, Corps disk insignia, shield and State Seal. A bird perches on an upper branch where her nest and chick are located. Vines are draped around the lower portion of the trunk. The most notable feature of the monument is the bird’s nest with baby birds nestled inside while the mother bird keeps close watch over her brood. It is alleged that during the battle a soldier saw a robin’s nest tumble to the ground and he climbed up to replace it with the babies still alive inside. The “tree” stands fourteen feet high. Interestingly, the flank markers that mark the right and left flank of the regiment are also miniature tree stumps.
There is a monument in front of Christ Lutheran Church to where the 90th Pennsylvania’s chaplain, Rev. Horatio S. Howell, was shot and killed.
Other Monuments: Main Monument | Second Monument | Boulder Monument
Army of the Potomac > First Corps > Second Division > Second Brigade