59th New York Infantry

Alternate Designations: Union Guards.

Commander: Lt. Col. Max A. Thoman (1830-July 11, 1863), mortally wounded on July 2; Capt. William McFadden (1827-1909).

Numbers: 182. 6 killed, 28 wounded.

Raised: New York City; Richland and Lewis Counties.

Installed 1889. Dedicated July 8, 1889.

Location: Southwest of the Copse of Trees west of Hancock Avenue. It marks the position held by the 59th New York Infantry on July 2 and 3, 1863.

Description: Granite marker with pyramidal cap contains reliefs of a Coat of Arms tondo, trophy with cartridge box, crossed bayonets and a laurel branch. Monument is a stepped, tapered granite shaft with a pyramidal top that has a bronze medallion on the peak and set on a 7.2×5.6 foot, two part base. The shaft has excised detail and polished inscriptions. Overall height is 11.8 feet. Flanking markers are one foot square.

National Park Service List of Classified Monuments Number: MN232.

Sculptor: Frederick and Field, fabricator.

Grave of Lieutenant Colonel Max A. “Jack of Diamonds” Thoman (1830-July 11, 1863) of the 59th New York – he and Lt. Col. George Stevens of the Second Wisconsin are the two highest ranking officers who fell at Gettysburg and are buried in the National Cemetery. Mortally wounded on July 2, Thoman asked to be buried on the battlefield and his wish was honored. He lies beside his men and other soldiers from New York who made the ultimate sacrifice at Gettysburg.

Army of the Potomac > Second Corps > Second Division > Third Brigade