Cumberland Township near Round Top in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Second Division
Fifth Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Fifth Corps
Second Division
Brig. General Romeyn B. Ayres
First Brigade Col. Hannibal Day
Second Brigade Col. Sidney Burbank
Third Brigade Brig. Gen. S.H. Weed, Col. Kenner Garrard
July 2. Moved from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek about 5 p.m. left in front to the support of the Third Corps line preceded by the First Division. The Third Brigade halted at Little Round Top and occupied the summit and north slope just in time to repel an attack on the right of the Third Brigade First Division. Here Gen. Weed fell mortally wounded. The First and Second Brigades crossed Plum Run to the hill beyond and formed in two lines. The First Brigade in rear fronting the Wheatfield through which the First Division Second Corps was advancing at right angle. About sunset the troops in front and on the right retired before a fierce assault on their front and on the right retired before a fierce assault on their front and flank and these two Brigades were compelled to retire with heavy losses to Little Round Top pursued by Wofford's Georgia Brigade and portions of Semmes's, Kershaw's and Anderson's Brigades. Later the First and Second Brigades took position in the woods in rear of the Third Brigade.
July 3. Remained in same position.
July 4. The First Brigade made a successful reconnoissance to the front.
Casualties. Killed 10 officers 154 men. Wounded 56 officers 746 men. Captured or missing 63 men. Total 1029.
Erected 1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.
Location. 39° 47.714′ N, 77° 14.384′ W. Marker is near Round Top, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Ayers Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located on Day's Hill, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Third U.S. Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Third Division (about 300 feet away); Fourth New York Independent Battery (about 300 feet away); Fourth U.S. Infantry (about 300 feet away); First Brigade (about 400 feet away); Brigadier General Samuel Wiley Crawford (about 400 feet away); Sixth U.S. Infantry (about 400 feet away); Twelfth U.S. Infantry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.
Also see . . . Reports of Brig. Gen. Romeyn B. Ayres. Gen. Ayres commanded the "U.S. Regulars" at Gettysburg. Of their retreat from the Wheatfield, Ayres wrote:
The troops behaved with great gallantry on this occasion, and although, as the accompanying report of casualties shows, the losses were terrible, no one thought of retiring till the order was given. (Submitted on January 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 921 times since then and 4 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2022, by Vince Jackson of Toano, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.