May 17, 2013

There were quite a few regiments that distinguished themselves on Little Round Top during the late afternoon of July 2^nd, and the 140^th New York was one of these. Fate brought them to the rocky hill; they weren’t even supposed to fight here, but word came that extra troops were needed. The units holding Little Round Top were caving and the 16^th Michigan Infantry was being overrun by Southerners struggling up the hill from the Plum Run valley. So the 140^th New York was sent forth, much to their detriment . . . and glory.

It didn’t take much to realize that the Union position on Little Round Top was in serious trouble. The 140^th saw that just holding their ground wasn’t enough. They had to cut off the threat at the source. So, at the behest of their colonel, the brave Patrick O’Rorke, they charged the hill, came to the aid of the 16^th Michigan and other struggling regiments, and helped push back the Confederates. Colonel O’Rorke was one of the dead. Today he is immortalized in the 140^th’s monument, which sits high on the crest of Little Round Top next to the “castle” dedicated to the 12^th and 44^th New York Infantry.

**HONORED TODAY**

LT. DAYTON T. CARD

Co. H, 108^th New York Infantry

Born July 22, 1838 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 24

Lt. Card's pre-war residence was Rochester, New York. Around 1858 he became a married man, sharing his home and heart with wife Harriet. They had no children. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. A photo of him can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray