Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Brigade
Third Division - First Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
1. First Brigade, Third Division, First Corps Tablet
Note the circle or "moon" at the top of the tablet under the corrosion, the symbol of the First Corps.
First Corps Third Division
First Brigade
Col. Chapman Biddle
Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Rowley
80th. New York 121st. 142nd. 151st. Penna. Infantry
July 1 Arrived and went into position about 11.30 a.m. left of Reynold's Woods. The 151st Penna. having been sent to reinforce Second Brigade on right of Reynold's Woods the remaining regiments with Battery B 1st Penna. formed line facing west and held this position until near 4 p.m. when being pressed with superior numbers in front and outflanked on the left the Brigade retired to Seminary Ridge. On the withdrawal of the Corps the Brigade retired to Cemetery Hill and formed on the left along Taneytown Road and remained there until noon the next day.
July 2 Between 5 and 6 p.m. the Brigade was moved to the left centre from which First Division Second Corps had been taken to support Third Corps.
July 3 Remained in the same position and assisted in repelling Longstreet's assault in the afternoon taking many prisoners. At 6 p.m. withdrew to former position on Taneytown Road.
Casualties Killed 8 officers 103 men. Wounded 41 officers 516 men. Captured or missing 8 officers 222 men. Total 898.
Erected 1911 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 39° 49.899′ N, 77° 15.075′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Reynolds Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the First Day Battlefield, south of McPherson Woods, in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 80th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery A, Second U.S. Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); 142d Pennsylvania Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 121st Pennsylvania Infantry (about 500 feet away); Abner Doubleday (about 500 feet away); 8th New York Cavalry (about 700 feet away); 151st Pennsylvania Infantry (about 800 feet away); Third Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major Gen. John F. Reynolds (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Also see . . .
1. Chapman Biddle. Chapman Biddle (January 22, 1822 – December 29, 1880) was a member of the prominent Biddle
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
2. First Brigade Marker
2. Chapman - Find-a-grave. (Submitted on December 17, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Thomas Algeo Rowley. Thomas Algeo Rowley (October 5, 1808 – May 14, 1892) was a Union Army general in the American Civil War from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Submitted on December 17, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Thomas Algeo Rowley - Find-a-grave. (Submitted on December 17, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. Reports of Col. Chapman Biddle. Col. Biddle commanded the brigade while Gen. Rowley was temporarily commanding the division. Biddle described the fighting:
Notwithstanding the great disparity of the contending forces, and the left of our line being outflanked by at least one and probably two regiments, and the enemy's fire, direct and oblique, being very severe, the men of the brigade continued to hold their position for some time, until, being without any support, they were compelled about 4 p.m. to retire to a cover on the edge of the town, immediately in front of the seminary. Here they remained, doing good service, checking the
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
3. First Brigade Tablet along Reynolds Avenue
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
4. First Brigade Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Col. Chapman Biddle (1822-1880)
Photographed By Brian Scott
6. Brig. General Thomas A. Rowley (1808-1892)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
7. Biddle's / Rowley's Brigade Line on McPherson Ridge
Looking north along Reynolds Avenue toward McPherson Woods. The Brigade was arrayed, from north to south with the 121st Pennsylvania, 80th New York, and 142nd Pennsylvania. The 151st Pennsylvania was originally detailed in support of the artillery on Seminary Ridge, but moved forward on the right (north) of the 142nd into McPherson's Woods in an attempt to repel the attacks of Pettigrew's North Carolina Brigade.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,024 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
