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

Davis's Brigade

Heth's Division - Hill's Corps

— Army of Northern Virginia —

Davis's Brigade Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

1. Davis's Brigade Tablet

Inscription. C.S.A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Hill's Corps Heth's Division
Davis's Brigade
55th North Carolina and 2nd. 11th. 42nd.
Mississippi Infantry
July 1 Formed line west of Herr's Tavern and crossing the Run at 10 a.m. dislodged 2nd Maine Battery and the 2nd Brigade 1st Division 1st Corps. Threatened on the right it wheeled and occupied railroad cut too deep and steep for defense whereby it lost many prisoners and a stand of colors. Joined later by the 11th Regiment previously on duty guarding trains the Brigade fought until the day's contest ended.

July 2 Lay all day west of the Run. At evening took position near here.

July 3 In Longstreet's assault this Brigade formed the left centre of Pettigrew's Division and advanced to the stone wall south of the Bryan Barn where with regiments shrunken to companies and field officers all disabled further effort was useless.

July 4 After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.

Present on first day about 2000. Killed 180, wounded 717, missing about 500. Total 1397.

Erected

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1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.

Location. 39° 49.101′ N, 77° 14.873′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on West Confederate Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located on Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg National Military Park, near the North Carolina and Tennessee State Memorials. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wingfield's Battery - Lane's Battalion (a few steps from this marker); Graham's Battery - Poague's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Heth's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); The War for Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieut. General Ambrose P. Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); North Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Lane's Battalion

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

2. Davis's Brigade Tablet

(within shouting distance of this marker); 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Line of Battle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Davis's Brigade Tablets at Gettysburg.

Also see . . . Davis' Report of the Battle. Shotgun's Civil War Home website entry:
Of the assault, Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Davis wrote:
The division moved off in line, and, passing the wooded crest of the hill, descended to the open fields that lay between us and the enemy. Not a gun was fired at us until we reached a strong post and rail fence about three-quarters of a mile from the enemy's position, when we were met by a heavy fire of grape, canister, and shell, which told sadly upon our ranks. Under this destructive fire, which commanded our front and left with fatal effect,
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

3. Davis' Brigade in the July 3 Assault
Looking east from Confederate Avenue toward Cemetery Ridge. The Brigade stepped out with Brockenbrough's Brigade on their left. When Brockenbrough's men were surprised by flanking fire from the 8th Ohio Infantry, and fell back, Davis' Brigade became the left flank of the Confederate assault. However, contrary to what is written on the tablet, Davis' Brigade met with the same flanking fire from the Ohio troops, and was also turned.
the troops displayed great coolness, were well in hand, and moved steadily forward, regularly closing up the gaps made in their ranks. Our advance across the fields was interrupted by other fences of a similar character, in crossing which the alignment became more or less deranged. This was in each case promptly rectified, and though its ranks were growing thinner at every step, this division moved steadily on in line with the troops on the right. When within musket-range, we encountered a heavy fire of small-arms, from which we suffered severely; but this did not for a moment check the advance. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,675 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.