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

Second Brigade

Second Division - First Corps

— Army of the Potomac —

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

1. Second Brigade, Second Division, First Corps Tablet

Note the circle symbol of First Corps at the top of the tablet.

Inscription. Army of the Potomac
First Corps Second Division
Second Brigade
Brig. Gen. Henry Baxter
12th. Mass. 83d. 97th. New York
11th. 88th. 90th. Pennsylvania Infantry
July 1 Arrived about noon took position on right of Corps on Mummasburg Road with Second Brigade First Division on left. Repulsed an attack of Col. O'Neal's Brigade then changed front and with the assistance of Second Brigade First Division captured 1000 prisoners and three stand of colors of Brig. Gen. Iverson's Brigade. Afterwards relieved by First Brigade and retired to the Railroad cut to support Battery B 4th U.S. At 4 p.m. retired to Cemetery Hill and constructed breastworks.
The 11th Penna. was transferred to the First Brigade.

July 2 About 10 a.m. relieved by Second Brigade Second Division Second Corps and placed in reserve. At 4. p.m. supported a Battery of Eleventh Corps. At sunset moved to the support of Third Corps then returned to support of Eleventh Corps.

July 3 Moved to the rear of the Cemetery early in the morning in support of Twelfth Corps. At 2 p.m. formed on right and rear of Third Division Second Corps and there remained until the close of the battle.
The Brigade went into action with less than 1200 men.

Casualties. Killed 7 officers 3 men. Wounded 31 officers 227 men. Captured or missing 12 officers 338 men. Total 648.

Erected 1912 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil

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. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1997.

Location. 39° 50.56′ N, 77° 14.543′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Doubleday Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located on the Oak Ridge section 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. 97th New York Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 83rd New York Infantry (9th Regiment N.Y.S.M.) (within shouting distance of this marker); 11th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 107th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away); 104th New York Infantry (about 300 feet away); Second Division (about 300 feet away); John Cleveland Robinson (about 300 feet 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. Second Brigade, Second Divison, First Corps at Gettysburg

Also see . . . Report of Brig. Gen. Henry Baxter. In his official report, General Baxter described the early afternoon fighting on Oak Ridge:
Indications being that we should be attacked on our right flank, I at once changed front by filing to the right and forming forward on first battalion, a division of the Eleventh Corps being on our right at least 400 yards. I immediately sent skirmishers forward, but the enemy
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009

2. Baxter's Brigade Tablet
now appearing on our left flank, I had again to change front to the left, and moved forward to the crest of the hill, bringing us before the enemy, when the brigade opened on the advancing foes a most deadly fire, soon causing them to recoil and give way. Another line immediately took the place of that repulsed, and at this time they appeared on our right flank, making it necessary for the Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, Colonel Lyle, to change front to meet them, which they did in perfect order, receiving meanwhile a very severe fire. Again their lines were repulsed and again re-enforced. The Ninety-seventh New York Volunteers, Colonel Wheelock, Eighty-third New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Moesch, and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Major Foust, made a charge, capturing many prisoners, the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers taking two battle-flags and the Ninety-seventh New York Volunteers one from the enemy. The Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers had a galling fire on the flank of this brigade at this time, which I think had a great influence upon its surrender. (Submitted on January 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

General Baxter image. Click for full size.

3. General Baxter

General Baxter was wounded four times during the war. In spite of that, he commanded a brigade up to the end of the war.

(Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, Call number: LC-B813- 6536 B[P&P])

Repulse of O'Neal's and Iverson's Brigades image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

4. Repulse of O'Neal's and Iverson's Brigades

Looking at the field in front of the tablet location. As O'Neal's Confederates advanced, they were repulsed by the Federal units on the right end of the line. This exposed Iverson's Brigade in this open field. After delivering a withering fire, Baxter's Brigade wheeled into the field, effectively destroying Iverson's Brigade.

Baxter's Brigade Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 13, 2007

5. Baxter's Brigade Line

Looking from the Oak Ridge Observation Tower to the south down Doubleday Avenue. Monuments for both Baxter's and Paul's Regiments are on the right side of the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 946 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.