Cumberland Township near Round Top in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Twelfth U.S. Infantry
First Brigade - Second Division
— Fifth Corps —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
1. Twelfth U.S. Infantry Regiment Tablet
Above the tablet is the crest of the U.S. Army. Note the Maltese Cross at the top of the tablet, the symbol of the Fifth Corps.
Fifth Corps
Second Division
First Brigade
Twelfth U.S. Infantry
Eight Companies
Captain Thomas S. Dunn Commanding
July 2 Arrived in the morning and took position with the Brigade and Division near the Twelfth Corps on the right. Moved with the Division from the right to the left of the line and at 5 p.m. with the Brigade moved across Plum Run near Little Round Top and supported the Second Brigade in its advance to the crest of the rocky wooded hill in front and facing left engaged the Confederates but retired under a heavy fire on both flanks and from the rear after the Confederates had obtained possession of the Wheatfield in the rear of the Brigade and went into position on Little Round Top.
July 3 Remained in same position.
July 4 Regiment with the 14th supported the 3d, 4th, and 8th U.S. Infantry in a reconnoissance and developed a force of the Confederate Infantry and Artillery in front.
Casualties. Killed 1 officer 7 men. Wounded 4 officers 87 men. Missing 13 men.
Erected 1907 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° 47.685′ N, 77°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sixth U.S. Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Eleventh U.S. Infantry (a few steps from this marker); First Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Tenth U.S. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth U.S. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Seventeenth U.S. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 13th Pennsylvania Reservers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.
Additional commentary.
1. Report of Captain Thomas S. Dunn
A segment from the Official Reports, Series I, Volume XXVII/1 (S#43), Report number 208, pages 640-1.
The First Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, of which the battalion formed a part, was moved to the front about 5 p.m. on the 2d instant, and took position at the foot of a hill near our extreme left, and immediately in rear of a marsh
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Tablets on the Ayres Avenue Loop
The 12th U.S. Infantry Tablet in front of the 11th U.S. Infantry Tablet on the right.
The battalion remained in this position until I received an order to move by the right flank a distance equal to my front. During the execution of this order, the troops on our right having fallen back in some disorder, the enemy rapidly advancing, I received from General Ayres, commanding division, the order to face by the rear rank and march to the position first occupied. The battalion marched to the rear in quick time under a galling fire, in good order, until I received an order to double-quick. This order was obeyed until the battalion reached a stone wall about midway in the valley. I then ordered the left wing to about-face and fire. They delivered their fire, and again joined the right wing, moving to the rear. The battalion was halted on the brow of the hill and faced to the front. The fire gradually slackened as night approached.
— Submitted January 24, 2009, 
by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
3. The U.S. Regulars in Day's Brigade Take Fire from the Left
Looking south from Day's Hill. At the end of the tree line in the center are the rocky outcroppings called the Devil's Den. As the 12th U.S. and other elements of Day's Brigade lay in the second line, they were subjected to harassing fire from Confederates at the Devil's Den, which Captain Dunn describes as "a hill to our left and slightly in our rear."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
