I drove up to Lyons, New York to see the dedication of a new monument to a Civil War regiment, the 111th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, that was celebrated on August 22, 2026. Lyons is a small town with a little under 6,000 residents, but many people came out on a perfect Saturday to participate in the unveiling.
The ceremony was held at Lyons Central Park, which has been the focus of the town’s celebrations for the last century and a half. There was a farmers market, a number of reenactors camped in the area and drilling on the green, as well as Civil War-focused organizations meeting with the attendees.
The Daughters of Union Veterans and other descendants’ organizations helped inform visitors.
Among those honored was one Civil War veteran Brigadier General John Bullis, who enlisted as a private. He did not serve in the 111th, but he served in the 125th New York. He was wounded and captured twice during the war.
The historical importance of local people like Major General Gordon Granger were also highlighted. Granger’s “Juneteenth Proclamation” in 1865 informing enslaved people in Galveston of the Emancipation Proclamation is now commemorated every year on June 19th. They also highlighted the roles of Black and white residents in the Underground Railroad for African Americans fleeing to Canada just 60 miles away.
A prayer was offered by a reenactor portraying John Nelson Brown of Clyde, the chaplain of the regiment. Rev. Brown wrote an account of the the regiment’s performance at Gettysburg that inspired the town to erect the monument. 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.”
This helped redeem the reputation of the regiment. 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.” The successful charge at the Wheatfield changed how they were regarded.
The monument shows a complete history of the regiment with each battle inscribed into the base of it. It is across from older monuments to those who served in the Spanish American War, World War I and II, and other more modern wars.
The companies were recruited in the counties of Cayuga and Wayne.
Above is a photo of a performance of Irish songs from the Civil War.
Below is the start of the parade to the monument.
Coming after them were reenactors in colonial uniforms. Behind them was a fife and drum corps.
There were veterans’ and civic organizations in the line of march. At the end were Civil War living historians.
Linda Schwab, an historian from Cayuga County, said that half the men in the regiment were from Cayuga. Nearly of the soldiers came from Wayne and Cayuga counties between Syracuse and Rochester.
Below are five students from the 5th Grade at the nearby Marion Public School who recited, without notes, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Deb Hall, who led the event, said that every year, 5th Graders from that school go out into the local cemetery where there is a Civil War monument and they recite the same speech.
Deb Hall was acclaimed for her role in putting the dedication together.
Also among the presenters was Gary Casteel, the well-known Civil War sculptor of Gettysburg. Casteel said that the figures on display are only half of the monument. 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. The work is titled “True Valor at Gettysburg.”
Because two of the three statues were missing, reenactors filled in in position to depict the monument’s missing statues. Very good, especially since they held the position for over an hour!
People attending the ceremony could walk through the encampment and get to know some of the reenactors.
At the end of the program, the Excelsior Brass Band performed a selection of Civil War Era music. The band plays only real 19th Century instruments.
All color photos were taken by Pat Young.
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