Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

First Brigade

Third Division - Cavalry Corps

— Army of the Potomac —

 
 
First Brigade, Third Division, Cavalry Corps Tablet image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
1. First Brigade, Third Division, Cavalry Corps Tablet
Inscription.
Army of the Potomac
Cavalry Corps Third Division
First Brigade

Brig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth
Col. Nathaniel P. Richmond
5th. New York 18th. Pennsylvania
1st. Vermont 1st. (10 Cos.) West Virginia Cavalry

June 30 Arrived at Hanover about noon and was attacked by Major Gen. Stuart's Cavalry and Horse Artillery which first encountered the 18th Penna. in the rear of the column later the Brigade was engaged and Major Gen. Stuart having been forced from the town retired with the loss of a battle-flag and over 70 men.

July 1 & 2 Not engaged.

July 3 Moved to the left to attack the Confederate right and rear arriving about 1 p.m. and became engaged with the Confederate skirmishers being supported at 3 p.m. by the Reserve Cavalry Brigade on the left. At 5.30 p.m. the 18th Pa. 1st Vt. and 1st West Virginia charged the Confederate left through woods and among stone fences held by superior forces of Infantry and Artillery but were repulsed with heavy loss including Brig. Gen. Farnsworth killed.

Casualties. Killed 3 officers 18 men. Wounded 6 officers 28 men. Captured or missing 1 officer 42 men. Total 98.
 
Erected 1912 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1934.
 
Location. 39° 47.138′ N, 77° 14.902′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on South Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Bushman Hill section of the Gettysburg National Battlefield 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. 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Farm Field to Battlefield (about 500 feet away); A Ride to Death (about 500 feet away); Third Division (about 600 feet away); William Wells (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery E, Fourth U.S. Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); 5th New York Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reilly's Battery - Henry's Battalion (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
 
Also see . . .
1. A Defense of the "Traditional Approach". Historians Eric Whittenberg and J. David Petruzzi wrote this essay to defend the "traditional" interpretation of the Farnsworth Charge. As mentioned, the charge has received much attention in the pages of Blue and Gray Magazine. (Submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 

2. Brig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth. A biographical
Farnsworth's Brigade Tablet image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Farnsworth's Brigade Tablet
sketch of the young general. (Submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Farnsworth's Brigade and the Confederate Right image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
3. Farnsworth's Brigade and the Confederate Right
Regardless of which interpretation of the route of Farnsworth's charge is accurate, one certain fact was the Confederates occupied high ground overlooking the route of the charge. In this view, looking northwest from the trail up Bushman Hill, the "Right Flank" of the Confederate Army is seen on the high ground. At the time of Farnsworth's charge, the 1st Texas Infantry was deployed on a skirmish line across this view. Guns of Reilly's Battery were positioned on the high ground in the distance.
Farnsworth and the 1st Vermont image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
4. Farnsworth and the 1st Vermont
Looking down the trail east of the Slyder Farm. Under the traditional interpretation of the charge, Farnsworth along with the main elements of the 1st Vermont first charged north along Plum Run, then turned around the Slyder farm, turning east. The eastward leg of the charge took the cavalrymen to the slopes of Big Round Top. Plum Run passes across the trail about 50 yards forward. In this area Farnsworth's horse was shot. Remounted, Farnsworth himself was killed further up the slope near the 1st Vermont Monument.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=15519

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024