Sculpted by Gary Casteel
 
1863 Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Monument Replicas
 
Part of the Army of the Potomac’s Fifth Corps, the 118th Pennsylvania (The Corn Exchange Regiment) was commanded by Lt. Col. James Gwyn at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The regiment crossed into Pennsylvania at 10:00 a.m. on July 1st, “exhibiting the greatest enthusiasm on reaching the soil of their own State” and bivouacked at 4:00 p.m. at Hanover.   The march resumed around 9:00 p.m. and, on the morning of the 2nd, the 118th reached the field.  It was held in reserve in the rear of Cemetery Hill until around 4:00 p.m. when the Fifth Corps was hurried to the support of Sickles’ Corps as the enemy attacked with “great fury and overwhelming force”.  The regiment became “hotly engaged”, losing 2 killed, 5 wounded, and 2 missing, with Captain Richard W. Davids being killed.  After the enemy was checked, the men slept on their arms in line during the night.  Early the next morning, the regiment was moved to the left, near to the summit of Round Top “where it remained behind breast-works, undisturbed, except by the enemy's sharp-shooters, until the close of the battle.  At ten on the morning of the 4th, it moved out to reconnoitre, and became warmly engaged, the enemy keeping up a show of strength upon his skirmish line, to screen his retreat, which was now in full progress.” (Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871.)
 
The 118th Pennsylvania was part of Tilton's Brigade, originally facing south when the first phase of the Wheatfield battle began. During the second phase, they were forced to bend back their right flank for the approach of Kershaw's South Carolinians. Finally, the regiment was ordered by Tilton to withdraw to Trostle's Woods, which they did, reluctantly.
 
After being withdrawn from Stony Hill, the Corn Exchange Regiment was positioned to support the Federal batteries deployed along what is now the Wheatfield Road.  The 118th supported Bigelow’s Battery as it was situated on the left of the Trostle House, near the left bank of Plum Run. 
 
“The Confederate battle-flags could be plainly seen, and on our left the wheatfield where Generals Zook and Taylor were killed. The fighting was desperate, mingled with the solid, defiant cheers of our men and the groans of the wounded and dying. The men had no time for sensations of fear. As they said, ‘If we cannot whip them in our own State of Pennsylvania, where can we?’ It was the men's battle, and fought with no thought of being defeated.”  (From the History of the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Corn Exchange Regiment)
 
This is the only place in the entire Gettysburg battlefield where two regiments share the same flank marker. The 118th Pennsylvania markers are in the same location as the 1st Michigan.  The 5 ½ foot high granite marker was erected in 1886.  It marks the second position of the regiment during the fighting on July 2 and where Captain Richard W. Davids was killed.
 
The monument was dedicated in 1886 and is located on the north side of Wheatfield Road about 230 feet southeast of its intersection with Sickles Avenue.