Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Third Corps
| | Army of the Potomac | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 28, 2008
1. Third Corps Tablet
The diamond symbol of the Federal III Corps appears at the top of the tablet.
Third Corps
Major General Daniel E. Sickles
Major General David B. Birney
July 1. This Corps was at Emmitsburg, complying with General Howard's urgent request received at 3.10 p.m. General Sickles marched his Corps except two Brigades and two Batteries to Gettysburg.
July 2. At daybreak these troops rejoined the Corps massed on the left of Cemetery Ridge.
During the forenoon the Confederates advanced toward the Union left. A reconnaissance disclosed their formation in three columns. Buford's Cavalry Division on the left flank had been withdrawn. About 2 p.m. this Corps, then the extreme left of the Union line changed front to check the enemy until the 5th Corps could march from the Union right and occupy the Round Tops. The 3rd Corps about 9800 men, formed line of battle from Plum Run to the Peach Orchard, thence along the Emmitsburg Road 300 yards past the Roger House, Birney's Division on left and Humphrey's Division along Emmitsburg Road against three Divisions, about 17000 strong under Longstreet. The Confederate batteries opened about 3 o'clock, the Infantry advancing soon after against the 3rd Corps
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General Sickles was severely wounded about 6 o'clock. General Birney taking command.
July 3 In support of the left centre on Cemetery Ridge.
Casualties 593 killed, 3029 wounded and 589 missing. Total 4211.
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° 48.086′ N, 77° 14.999′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is at the intersection of Wheatfield Road and Emmitsburg Road (Business
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Tablets at the Northwest Corner of the Peach Orchard
From left to right, the III Corps Artillery tablet, III Corps 2nd Division, III Corps, and the III Corps 1st Division tablets.
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: Second Division (here, next to this marker); First Division (here, next to this marker); Artillery Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Battery G, 1st N.Y. Light Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Barksdale's Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry
3. Major General Daniel Sickles
A controversial politician before the war, Sickles volunteered to serve the Union cause early in the war. At Gettysburg, his unauthorized repositioning of his Corps exposed part of the Federal lines. However, once engaged, Sickles directed his forces aggressively. While directing the battle, a cannonball shattered his right leg. He is said to have been carried from the field "calmly puffing a cigar." His leg was later placed on display at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
(Library of Congress Collection, Selected Civil War photographs, 1861-1865, Call Number: LC-B813- 1702 A[P&P])
(Library of Congress Collection, Selected Civil War photographs, 1861-1865, Call Number: LC-B813- 1702 A[P&P])
Also see . . . Reports of Maj. Gen. David B. Birney. Birney assumed command of the Corps in the middle of the fighting. His summary of that change, written a month after the battle, does little to convey stress of the situation, however:
At 6 o'clock I found Major-General Sickles seriously wounded, and, at his request, took command of the troops. I immediately visited Humphreys' division, and, finding that the enemy, advancing through a gap in the line of my division, would take it in reverse, I ordered a change of front. General Humphreys accomplished this promptly under a most effective artillery and musketry fire, and, advancing his division rapidly, recaptured several batteries that the enemy had temporary possession of. (Submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
