20th Maine Regiment Marker

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Near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

20th Maine Regiment
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps

20th Maine Regiment Monument Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009

1. 20th Maine Regiment Monument

Inscription. The 20th Maine Reg't,
3d Brig, 1st Div, 5th Corps
Colonel
Joshua L. Chamberlain
captured and held this
position on the evening
of July 2d, 1863, pursuing
the enemy from its front
on the line marked by
its monument below.
The reg't lost in the battle
130 killed and wounded
out of 358 engaged
this monument marks the
extreme left of the Union
line during the battle of
the 3d day.

Erected 1889.

Location. 39° 47.197′ N, 77° 14.37′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker can be reached from South Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Located on a trail to the crest of Big Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 119th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (a few steps from this marker); 5th Pennsylvania Reserves (within shouting distance of this marker); 12th Pennsylvania Reserves (within shouting distance of this marker); 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); 9th Massachusetts Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Third Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); 10th Pennsylvania Reserves (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Regiment Vermont Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Gettysburg.

Close Up of Inscription Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009

2. Close Up of Inscription

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. 20th Maine at Gettysburg.

Also see . . .
1. Report of Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. Perhaps just as important as the defense of Little Round Top, the 20th Maine lead the advance up Big Round Top in the evening of July 2:
It was now 9 p.m. Without waiting to get ammunition, but trusting in part to the very circumstance of not exposing our movement or our small front by firing, and with bayonets fixed, the little handful of 200 men pressed up the mountain side in very extended order, as the steep and jagged surface of the ground compelled. We heard squads of the enemy failing back before us, and, when near the crest, we met a scattering and uncertain fire, which caused us the great loss of the gallant Lieutenant Linscott, who fell, mortally wounded. In the silent advance in the darkness we laid hold of 25 prisoners, among them a staff officer of General [E. M.] Law, commanding t-he brigade immediately opposed to us during the fight. Reaching the crest, and reconnoitering the ground, I placed the men in a strong position among the rocks, and informed Colonel Rice, requesting also ammunition and some support to our right, which was very near the enemy, their movements and words even being now distinctly heard by us. (Submitted on April 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

119th Pennsylvania and 20th Maine Monuments on Big Round Top Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain

3. 119th Pennsylvania and 20th Maine Monuments on Big Round Top

2. 20th Maine Monument. SIRIS entry for the monument. (Submitted on April 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Right Side of the 20th Maine Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009

4. Right Side of the 20th Maine

Looking down hill from the monument to the right flank marker stone for the 20th Maine. The stone indicates the general location of the regiment's right flank on the evening of July 2. At that time of the battle, in the valley below, were elements of Law's Confederate Brigade, which the 20th Maine had earlier helped repel from Little Round Top.

Left Flank of the 20th Maine Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009

5. Left Flank of the 20th Maine

Looking from the left flank marker stone back to the monument. The 20th Maine was relieved at this position on July 3 and placed into a reserve line north of Little Round Top.