Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Third Brigade
Third Division - Second Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2008
1. Third (Willard's) Brigade Tablet
The trefoil of the II Corps appears at the tablet's top.
Second Corps Third Division
Third Brigade
Col. George L. Willard
Col. Eliakim Sherrill
Lieut. Col. James M. Bull
39th (4 cos.), 111th, 125th, 126th. New York Infantry
July 2 Took position in the morning along Cemetery Ridge at the right of the Angle. Near sunset went to the left to support Third Corps. Charged Brig. Gen. Barksdale's Brigade in the wooded swale at the head of Plum Run forcing it back and capturing many prisoners. The 39th New York recaptured Battery I 5th U.S. from the 21st Miss. Col. Willard was killed and Brig. Gen. Barksdale mortally wounded. At dark the Brigade returned and was held in reserve.
July 3 Engaged on the skirmish line with much loss. At 3 p.m. after a terrific cannonade of two hours the Brigade was moved up to the line of the Second Brigade and assisted in repulsing Longstreet's assault in which Col. Sherrill was mortally wounded. A large detail from the Brigade under Capt. Armstrong of the 125th New York and the 8th Ohio on the skirmish line withdrew to the right and poured a deadly fire upon the left of the assaulting lines and then charging captured prisoners and flags.
Casualties. Killed 11 officers 126 men. Wounded 26 officers
this page online
Erected 1912 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° 48.916′ N, 77° 14.114′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Hancock Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located next to the Brian Farm Buildings on Cemetery Ridge, at 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 Division (a few steps from this marker); 111th New York Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 12th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers (a few steps from this marker); The Brian Farm (a few steps from this marker); 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Brian Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); 107th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Pettigrew's Charge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Related marker.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2008
2. Third Brigade Tablet from Across the Road
Also see . . . Reports of Lieut. Col. James M. Bull. Lt. Col. Bull, to whom command fell after Col. Sherrill was wounded, wrote the Brigade report. Of the action on July 3, he stated:
About 1 p.m. the enemy opened from his batteries planted on the slope of the hill across the flat mentioned, evidently with the intention of silencing our batteries, and a terrific cannonade ensued, which continued about two hours, during which period the regiments remained in the position before stated. Near the close of this severe artillery duel, the regiments were formed on the hill with other regiments of the division, to repel an infantry attack. The enemy, advancing in four lines across the flat, were subjected to a murderous fire of musketry and artillery, and were driven back in confusion, after an engagement of about an hour. (Submitted on December 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Willard's Brigade Repulses the Attack
Looking west, from near the Willard Marker (see related markers). In the evening of July 2, the lead two regiments of Willard's Brigade, the 125th and 126th New York, charged on line, led by Willard, directly into Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade which was just then crossing Plum Run (in the bottom land here). Colonel Willard was killed leading this assault. The 111th New York, held in reserve, was soon ordered up to support the right of the Brigade, assisting the 1st Minnesota, which at that time was standing alone against Wilcox's Alabama Brigade. The fourth regiment of Willard's Brigade, the 39th New York, was detailed to recapture a Federal artillery battery to the left of this line.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 21, 2009
4. Third Brigade's Portion of the Line
Looking at Cemetery Ridge from the west. The Bryan farm ins in the center frame, with several monuments from the Brigade seen in profile on the ridge line. Col. Sherrell, then in command of the Brigade, posted the 111th New York forward centered at the barn. The 126th New York north of the barn, closer to Ziegler's Grove. The 125th and 39th in reserve.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2008
5. The Brigade's Second Rank
Looking south from the tablet location with the Third Division Tablet in the background. The 39th and 125th New York were posted behind the front line (on the stone wall) on July 3. The position was in and around an orchard just south of the Brian house. When the Confederate infantry advanced, those two regiments moved forward to reinforce the main Federal line.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2008
6. Flanking Position
From Hancock Avenue, looking at the north side of the Brian barn. As the Confederate infantry neared the stone wall, portions of the 108th New York (2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps) and 125th New York wheeled left across the open ground here. From a line near the modern white rail fence, the New Yorkers poured a destructive fire upon the mixed regiments from Pettigrew's and Tremble's Divisions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 984 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 29, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on December 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on March 29, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
