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

Iverson's Brigade

Rodes's Division - Ewell's Corps

— Army of Northern Virginia —

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

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

1. Iverson's Brigade Tablet

Inscription. C.S.A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Ewell's Corps Rodes's Division
Iverson's Brigade
5th. 12th. 20th. 23rd. North Carolina Infantry
July 1 The Brigade was one of the first of the Division in the battle. It advanced against the Union line posted behind stone fence east of Forney Field. Its right being assailed by 2nd Brigade First Corps and its left exposed by the repulse of O'Neal. A vigorous assault by Union forces in front and on left flank almost annihilated three regiments. The 12th regiment on the right being sheltered by the knoll suffered slight loss and the remnants of the others joined Ramseur's Brigade and served with it through the battle.

July 2 Lay all day in the town. At dusk moved to aid in an attack on Cemetery Hill but two of Early's Brigade having been repulsed the Brigade withdrew.

July 3 With other Brigades in the sunken road southwest of the town. At night withdrew to Seminary Ridge.

July 4 Marched at 2 p.m. as wagon train guard on road to Hagerstown.

Present 1470. Killed 130 wounded 382 missing 308. Total 820.

Erected 1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1470.

Location. 39°

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50.872′ N, 77° 14.586′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on North Confederate Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located on Oak Hill, at the parking area for the Eternal Light Peace Memorial (Stop 2 of the driving tour) 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. Carter's Battalion (a few steps from this marker); The Orange Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodes Attacks (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodes's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); A Dedication (within shouting distance of this marker); Eternal Light Peace Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Eternal Light Peace Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Morris Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Also see . . .
1. Reports of Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson. General Iverson indicated some of the emotions felt on the battlefield in his official report:
When I saw white handkerchiefs raised, and my line of battle still lying down in position, I characterized the surrender as disgraceful; but
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

2. Iverson's Brigade Tablet
when I found afterward that 500 of my men were left lying dead and wounded on a line as straight as a dress parade, I exonerated, with one or two disgraceful individual exceptions, the survivors, and claim for the brigade that they nobly fought and died without a man running to the rear. No greater gallantry and heroism has been displayed during this war.

And then added that he intended to countercharge:
I endeavored, during the confusion among the enemy incident to the charge and capture of my men, to make a charge with my remaining regiment and the Third Alabama, but in the noise and excitement I presume my voice could not be heard. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Iverson's Brigade at Gettysburg. A detailed discussion of the assault. Iverson, in spite of the bravado indicated in his official report, probably stayed well away from the battle line. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Iverson's Brigade Advances in to Forney's Fields image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

3. Iverson's Brigade Advances in to Forney's Fields

Looking from the Oak Ridge observation tower to the west. Mummasburg Road is on the right. Following the road out to the distant center, next to the trees is the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry monument, near where the Forney house stood during the battle. Iverson's Brigade advanced from the right of this view into the open fields in the center. With O'Neal's Brigade repulsed on their left (the lower right of this photo), Iverson's men were exposed to Federal flanking fires.

Iverson's Brigade Nearly Destroyed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008

4. Iverson's Brigade Nearly Destroyed

Looking further to the south, still from the observation tower. Iverson's men reached a point in the middle of the open fields in front of the Federal lines before driven to a halt. Several accounts mention the dead and wounded laying in nearly perfect battle lines in the field. A position marker for the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry in the middle of the field represents one of several Federal units which wheeled into the field at the repulse of Iverson's assault.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,658 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.