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

Perry's Brigade

Anderson's Division - Hill's Corps

— Army of Northern Virginia —

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

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 17, 2008

1. Perry's Brigade Tablet

Inscription. C.S.A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Hill's Corps Anderson's Division
Perry's Brigade
2nd. 5th. 8th. Florida Infantry
July 2 Formed line in forenoon in the eastern border of these Woods. Advanced at 6 p.m. and assisted in forcing the Unoin line on Emmitsburg Road and by rapid pursuit compelled the temporary abandonment of several guns. At the foot of the slope met fresh Union forces and the line on its right retiring it also fell back. The Color-bearer of the 8th Florida fell and its flag was lost.

July 3 Ordered to join Wilcox's Brigade on its left and conform to its movements. Supported Artillery until Longstreet's column started and then advanced in aid of his assault. But dense smoke hiding his oblique course the Brigade moved directly forward. In the gap caused thereby a strong force struck its left flank capturing about half of the 2nd Florida and its colors.

July 4 In line here and at dark began the march to Hagerstown.

Present 700. Killed 33, wounded 217, missing 205. Total 455

Erected 1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1965.

Location. 39° 48.692′ N, 77° 15.171′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on West Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located in Spangler's Woods,

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south of the Virginia State Memorial (Driving Tour Stop 5) on Seminary Ridge 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. Kemper's Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Armistead's Brigade (about 600 feet away); Florida (about 600 feet away); Pickett's Division (about 700 feet away); Anderson's Division (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garnett's Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wright's Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Storm of Battle (approx. 0.2 miles 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. Perry's Florida Brigade at Gettysburg.

Also see . . . Report of Col. David Lang. Lang commanded Perry's Brigade at Gettysburg. Of the actions on July 3, Lang wrote:
The noise of artillery and small-arms was so deafening that it was impossible to make the voice heard above the din, and the men were by this time so badly scattered in the bushes and among the rocks that it was impossible to make any movement to meet or check the enemy's advance. To remain in this position, unsupported by either infantry or artillery, with infantry on both flanks and in front and artillery playing upon us with grape and canister, was certain annihilation. To advance was only to hasten that result, and, therefore, I ordered a retreat, which, however, was not in time to save a large number of the Second Florida Infantry, together
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 17, 2008

2. Perry's Brigade Tablet
with their colors, from being cut off and captured by the flanking force on the left. Owing to the noise and scattered condition of the men, it was impossible to have the order to retreat properly extended, and I am afraid that many men, while firing from behind rocks and trees, did not hear the order, and remained there until captured. (Submitted on September 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Advance of Perry's (Lang's) Brigade image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 21, 2009

3. Advance of Perry's (Lang's) Brigade

Looking from Emmitsburg Road toward the west and the location of the tablet on Seminary Ridge. In the afternoon of July 2, the Brigade advanced from the wood line in the distance, driving in Federal skirmish lines. The Brigade was arrayed with the 2nd Florida on the left, 8th Florida in the center, and 5th Florida on the right. The line of march brought the Brigade in contact with the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, of 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, of the Federal Third Corps. (See related markers for more of the Brigade's advance.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,198 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.