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

Second Brigade

First Division - Fifth Corps

— Army of the Potomac —

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008

1. Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps Tablet

The tablet features the Maltese Cross of Fifth Corps at its top.

Inscription. Army of the Potomac
Fifth Corps First Division
Second Brigade
Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer
9th. 32d. Massachusetts 4th. Michigan
62d. Pennsylvania Infantry
July 2 After 4 p.m. moved from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek with the Division left in front to support of Third Corps line. Third Brigade was detached to occupy Little Round Top and the Brigade crossed Plum Run followed by First Brigade and went into position on the edge of woods west of the Wheatfield facing partly toward the Rose House First Brigade on the right. Brig. Gen. Kershaw's supported by Brig. Gen. Semmes's Brigade having attacked this position and First Brigade having retired the Brigade retired across the Wheatfield Road and formed on the north side of the woods facing the road when by order of Brig. Gen. J. Barnes the Brigade advanced to the support of First Division Second Corps and engaged Brig. Gen. Anderson's Brigade at the stone wall at the south end of the Wheatfield but the supports on the right having given away the Brigade

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was attacked on the right and rear and it retired under a heavy fire to a line north of Little Round Top and there remained until the close of the battle.

Casualties. Killed 6 officers 61 men. Wounded 26 officers 213 men. Captured or missing 1 officer 120 men. Total 427.

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° 47.779′ N, 77° 14.633′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is at the intersection of DeTrobriand Avenue and Sickles Avenue, on the right when traveling east on DeTrobriand Avenue. Located in the Wheatfield 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. 4th Michigan Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Third Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Whirlpool of Death

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

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008

2. Sweitzer's Brigade Tablet

(within shouting distance of this marker); 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 17th Maine Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 57th New York Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 115th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Third Brigade (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Sweitzer's Brigade Deploys then Redeploys in the Wheatfield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008

3. Sweitzer's Brigade Deploys then Redeploys in the Wheatfield

Looking from a point south of the tablet (seen to the left) and the 4th Michigan Monument (to the right), past DeTrobriand Avenue. Sickles Avenue is to the right. The high ground beyond the open fields is the "stony hill" where now the "loop" passes. Initially Sweitzer's Brigade was posted on the hill, but was withdrawn under pressure from its right from the Peach Orchard sector. After reforming north of Wheatfield Road, the Brigade deployed forward again in support of Caldwell's Division of Second Corps. The 4th Michigan and 62nd Pennsylvania were posted on line in the foreground of this photo.

Sweitzer's Men Contest the Last Confederate Advance in the Wheatfield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008

4. Sweitzer's Men Contest the Last Confederate Advance in the Wheatfield

Looking from the tablet location toward the west down DeTrobriand Avenue. As Semmes', Kershaw's, and Anderson's Brigades collapsed the Federal positions gained by Caldwell's Division at around 7 p.m. on July 2, Sweitzer's Brigade became a shield. With the 62nd Pennsylvania and 4th Michigan formed near the stone wall (seen on the left), the brigade fought bitterly, but in vain, to halt the Confederate advance. Much like the 17th Maine an hour before, Sweitzer's men formed a refused line to the west, with the main line parallel to the wall. Overwhelmed, the survivors of the Brigade pulled back to the Wheatfield Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,197 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.