Nearly 50 people attended the rededication ceremonies of West Virginia's monuments on the Gettysburg battlefield on Saturday, October 3, 1998. The rededication was held in honor of the 100th anniversary of their dedication. The event was held at the site of the 7th West Virginia Infantry monument on East Cemetery Hill. The special event was sponsored by the Kanawha Valley Civil War Roundtable, the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, the West Virginia Book Company, and Gauley Mount Press.

In his opening remarks, Steve Cunningham, President of the Kanawha Valley Civil War Roundtable, provided an overview of the original dedication ceremony in 1898. He quoted Governor George Atkinson's speech saying, "No granite or marble shaft, no tomb of ancient or modern splendor, and no play of genius immortal can adorn the memories of the soldiers who sleep upon the slopes of Gettysburg. Their deeds are their monuments." Steve also read letters from dignitaries unable to attend.

Following a welcome by Gettysburg assistant superintendant John McKenna, Mark Snell of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War in Shepherdstown paid special tribute to Confederate units from the area that ultimately became West Virginia. Snell also mentioned West Virginians who fought in other Federal units. Beth A. White shared with the audience an overview of the service of West Virginia's four federal units in the battle and encouraged participants to learn more about West Virginia's role in the campaign and teach others as a lasting tribute to the sacrifice made by the soldiers.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Stuart McGehee who discussed the parallels between the creation of the new state of West Virginia in June 1863 and the Gettysburg Campaign in June and July of that year. Dr. McGehee was also the state's official representative at the ceremonies and so read a letter and proclamation on behalf of Governor Cecil H. Underwood. At the conclusion of his remarks, he rededicated the monuments. Memorial wreaths were placed at the foot of each of the monuments.

Four Federal units from the new state of West Virginia participated in the decisive Gettysburg Campaign. The 3rd West Virginia Cavalry was part of Buford's Division and was engaged on Oak Ridge in the opening hours of the battle. Battery C of the 1st West Virginia Light Artillery was moved into position on East Cemetery Hill on July 2nd along with artillery from the Eleventh Corps. The battery participated in the massive cannonade preceding Pickett's Charge on July 3rd. The 7th West Virginia Infantry was ordered to charge through Evergreen Cemetery early in the evening of July 2nd to protect artillery batteries on Cemetery Hill threatened by a Confederate attack. The regiment charged with its brigade and swept the enemy back down the hill. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was involved in more engagements in the Gettysburg Campaign than any other West Virginia unit including Hanover, Farnsworth's Charge, Monterey Gap, and Hagerstown.

Their Deeds Are Their Monuments, a commemorative of the centennial anniversary has been published by the West Virginia Book Company. The book features a detailed account of the 1898 dedication ceremony, informational sketches of the four West Virginia units that participated in the Gettysburg Campaign, and numerous photographs. The book is available for $6.95, plus tax and shipping. To order, visit the West Virginia Book Company website at www.wvbookco.com.