Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Second Brigade
First Division - Third Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
1. Second Brigade Tablet
At the top of the tablet is a diamond, the symbol of the Third Corps.
Third Corps First Division
Second Brigade
Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward
Col. Hiram Berdan
20th Indiana, 3d. 4th. Maine
86th. 124th. New York, 99th Penna Infantry
1st, 2d, (8 cos.) U.S. Sharpshooters
July 2 The Corps having relieved Second Division Twelfth Corps in the morning the Brigade took position on the left of the Division and extended to the base of Little Round Top. Between 2 and 3 p.m. advanced with the Division to the line from the Peach Orchard to Devil's Den occupying the left of the line to the west base of Little Round Top. The 1st U.S. Sharpshooters and 3d Maine were engaged in a reconnoissance into the woods in front of the Peach Orchard from noon until about 2 p.m. and then served with First Brigade at the Peach Orchard. The 6th New Jersey and 40th New York were sent to Brig. Gen. Ward and supported his left. Between 4 and 5 p.m. the Brigade was fiercely attacked by Brig. Gen. Robertson's and Brig. Gen. Benning's Brigades supported on their flanks by Brig. Gen. Law's and Brig. Gen. Anderson's Brigades, Major Gen. Hood's Division and after a prolonged conflict was forced back.
July 3 In reserve.
Casualties. Killed 12 Officers 117 Men. Wounded 33 Officers 449 Men. Captured or missing
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 1, 1864.
Location. 39° 47.584′ N, 77° 14.569′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Sickles Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in the Devils Den section of 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. 124th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 86th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Buying Time (within shouting distance of this marker); 99th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holding Houck's Ridge (about 300 feet away); Robertson's Brigade (about 300 feet away); 4th New York Independent Battery (about 400 feet away); The Attack on Devil's Den (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Also see . . . Reports of Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward. In writing of the actions on July 2 only a month after the battle, General Ward was aware of the significance of the
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Second Brigade Marker
The fence line behind the tablet continues up the length of Houck's Ridge.
This brigade, with the exception of Antietam, has been engaged in every battle fought by the Army of the Potomac, and has been frequently mentioned for its gallantry, but on this occasion it eclipsed all its former actions. The immense force opposed to them was at one time almost overwhelming. The number of effective men in the brigade when they engaged the enemy was not 1,500, while the loss is nearly 800. Out of 14 field officers, we lost 8. (Submitted on January 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Ward's Line
Looking from near the Warren Statue on Little Round Top at Houck's Ridge. (Double click the image to see fine details of the panorama.) The Devil's Den is on the left, where Sickles Avenue passes up the ridge. The Rose Woods form a tree line across the top of the ridge, extending to the west. In the mid-afternoon when Hood's Division first attacked, the 4th Maine was deployed in the low area there, refusing the line. The rest of the Brigade formed a line within the Rose Woods, in order from left to right - 124th New York, 86th New York, 20th Indiana, and 99th Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvanians were later sent to reinforce the 4th Maine. Later when the 40th New York and 6th New Jersey arrived, they deployed in the valley between Houck's Ridge and Little Round Top.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 984 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
