(2004) Monument Detail Sedgwick Monument
 
Major General John Sedgwick was the commanding officer of the 6th Corps of the Army of the Potomac, he had also commanded the 2nd Corps, and the 9th Corps. He was born and raised not more than 1/4 mile from this site in Cornwall Hallow, CT. He went on to West Point and fought in the Mexican War.

Sedgwick was not without battle scars, during the Seven Days Battle, (White Oak Swamp) he was wounded in the arm and leg. At Antietam, during an assault on Stonewall Jackson in the West Woods, he was shot in the hand, wrist, and shoulder. His demise would come at the hand of a confederate sharpshooter at the Wilderness (Spotsylvania) on May 9th 1964. The late Shelby Foote (you will be missed) wrote in his book, The Civil War, A Narrative: Red River to Appomattox that the General was quoted as saying "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." a few minutes later a bullet would catch him just under his left eye. He was the highest ranking officer killed in the Civil War. He was replaced with fellow Nutmegger Horatio Wright from Clinton CT. A month later Wright would lead his Corps in battle at Cold Harbor. It was at Cold Harbor were the 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery regiment would get their baptism by fire under General Wright. Many of the 2nd CVHA were also from Cornwall and surrounding towns. I would imagine some even knew "Uncle John"....small world.

The monument is right across (Cornwall Hallow Road) from the cemetery where he is buried.

For more monument info, go to The Connecticut Historical Society Website