Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Second Division

First Corps

— Army of the Potomac —

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

1. Second Division, First Corps Tablet

Note the circle or "moon" above the tablet, the symbol of the First Corps.

Inscription. Army of the Potomac
First Corps
Second Division
Brig. General John C. RobinsonFirst Brigade Brig. Gen. Gabriel Paul, Col. S.H. Leonard, Col. Adrian R. Root, Col. Peter Lyle, Col. R. Coulter
Second Brigade Brig. General H. Baxter

July 1. Arrived at the Seminary about noon hotly engaged on the right and right centre from about 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. when on the advance of Rodes's Confederate Division against the front and flanks the Division by order of the Commanding General retired with the Corps through Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill and went into position on the left of the cemetery parallel to Emmitsburg Road.

July 2. Relieved about noon by Third Division Second Corps and placed in reserve and thereafter sent to the support of the Third, Eleventh, and Second Corps at different times and places.

July 3. At daylight moved to the support of Batteries on Cemetery Hill. At 9 a.m. sent to support of Twelfth Corps and at 3 p.m. took position on the right of Second Corps and remained until the close of the battle.

Casualties. Killed 9 officers 82 men. Wounded 68 officers 548 men. Captured or missing 52 officers 931 men. Total 1690.

Erected 1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1862.

Location. 39° 50.554′ N, 77° 14.479′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Robinson Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Oak Ridge section of 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 13th Massachusetts Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); 104th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 83rd New York Infantry (9th Regiment N.Y.S.M.) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Second Brigade (about 300 feet away); 97th New York Infantry (about 300 feet away); John Cleveland Robinson (about 400 feet away); 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 400 feet away); 11th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Second Division, First Corps at Gettysburg

Also see . . . Report of Brig. Gen. John C. Robinson. In his report, Gen. Robinson detailed the action fought by his division on the first day:
On my arrival, I
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

2. Second Division Tablet
The tablet stands at a hairpin turn on Robinson Avenue as it descends off Oak Ridge.
found my Second Brigade so placed as to cover our right flank, but with too great an interval between it and the line of the First Division. I at once directed General Baxter to change front forward on his left battalion, and to close this interval, toward which the enemy was making his way. By the time this change was effected, the whole front of the brigade became hotly engaged, but succeeded in repulsing the attack The enemy, however, soon after brought up fresh forces in increased masses, when, finding the position so seriously threatened, I sent for and brought up the First Brigade, and placed part of it in the position first occupied by Baxter's brigade, and the remaining battalions as a support to his second position. The enemy now made repeated attacks on the division, in all of which he was handsomely repulsed, with the loss of three flags and about 1,000 prisoners.... The division held this position on the right--receiving and repelling the fierce attacks of a greatly superior force, not only in front, but on the flank, and, when the enemy's ranks were broken, charging upon him and capturing his colors and men--from about noon until nearly 5 p.m., when I received orders to withdraw. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

The Hairpin Turn on Robinson Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

3. The Hairpin Turn on Robinson Avenue

The Division Tablet stands near monuments for the 104th New York and 13th Massachusetts, on Robinson Avenue.

Second Division's Sector image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

4. Second Division's Sector

Looking south from the Oak Ridge observation tower. The two brigades of Robinson's Division fought most of the afternoon of July 1 along Oak Ridge. The Division's battle line is very generally represented by Doubleday Avenue (which was not present at the battle). Initially Baxter's Brigade formed a line looking west (right) from the crest. Later Paul's Brigade reinforced and replaced Baxter's hard pressed units. From this line the Federals repulsed several assaults from the Confederates, including on by Iverson's Brigade.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 857 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.