A new monument to a Civil War regiment, the 111th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was unveiled on August 22, 2026. This is officially the newest monument I have in this collection, at least until another monument is unveiled. Many of you know that there has been several new monuments completed over the last fifteen years since the start of the 150th Anniversary was commemorated beginning in 2011. If you know of any others that are planned, let me know on the Facebook page.
The monument is in Lyons Central Park, which has been the focus of the town’s celebrations for the last century and a half. The memorial is entitled “True Valor at Gettysburg” and it is designed to show three soldiers of the 111th New York fighting at that battle. Unfortunately, when it was unveiled in August, only one of the statues was completed. Luckily, it was mounted on the completed base. Hopefully the other two statues will be installed later this year.
The regiment was raised in Wayne County, of which Lyons is the county seat, as well as Cayuga County and two neighboring counties. Organized in 1862, the regiment was sent to Washington. In September of 1862 the regiment was assigned to Miles command at Harper’s Ferry where the Union units surrendered during the Antietam Campaign. Like other regiments surrendered there, they were called the “Cowards of Harpers Ferry.” A successful charge at the Wheatfield in Gettysburg changed how they were regarded.
At the start of the Battle of Gettysburg there were 390 were in the ranks. Those who died numbered 58, wounded 177, missing 14, total casualties were 249. Throughout the war, the 111th suffered among the highest rate of casualties in whole Union army.
On July 2, 1863 the 111th Regiment was part of Willard’s Brigade of the II Corps at the Wheatfield. Seeing an attempt by the Confederates to outflank Willard, General Handcock rode over to the 111th and ordered it “…to the right in great haste, to charge the rebel advance, which had broken through our lines on the right of the Third Brigade and had advanced between 20 and 30 rods beyond our lines, and was in the act of turning the right flank of the brigade.”
When the other two statues are installed, this will be what it will look like:
The monument was created Gary Casteel, the well-known Civil War sculptor of Gettysburg. It focuses on the color bearers of the regiment who were, one after another killed or mortally wounded during the charge. Two of the figures are still at the foundry and will be installed this Fall. Here is a sketch of the planned monument: The delay was caused by flooding near the foundry site in West Virginia.
Wayne County lies along Lake Ontario in the north. It was only settled by people of European background in 1789 when Revolutionary War veterans were given land in the county as a repayment for their service. The land had belonged to the Seneca and Cayuga Native Americans, but they were pushed out in the years following the Revolution. It grew when the Erie Canal was opened. By the time of the Civil War, 47,700 people lived in the county.
In 1861, when the Civil War began, the Wayne Democratic Press on April 17, 1861 announced that the leaders of the Confederacy wanted to form two nations, “one slave and the other free.” The local newspapers referred to the adherents of the Confederacy as “Traitors.” Many of the clergy in the county called openly for men to join the army to keep the nation from braking apart.
Reverend McHarg of Lyons told his congregation that he did not believe in the new doctrine that slavery was a divine institution. He said that treason should be dealt with by firmness.
If you are hungry at the edge of the park is a tavern called Smoke N’ Griddle. They have fresh bar-b-que as well as standard pub fare. Because the tavern is only an hour from Buffalo, the wings are very good.
There is bar, which offers full dining.
There are also a dozen table for lunch or dinner. The tavern is open every day except Monday beginning at 11 AM. It is located at 32 William St. in Lyons.
Sources:
Military History of Wayne County N.Y. The County in the Civil War by Lewis H. Clark published by Lewis H. Clark, et all in Sodus, N.Y. (1883)
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