Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
Philadelphia Brigade
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
1. 72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Monument
On top of the monument is a sculpture of a knapsack with the trefoil of Second Corps.
The ground of the last assault
the Philadelphia Brigade
Gen. Alexander Webb
held this angle July 2d and 3d 1863
casualties in the battle 495
The 72d Penn. Vol's
"Philadelphia Fire Zouaves"
Colonel D.W.C. Baxter
lost 10 officers and 182 men
out of 473 present for duty
the regiment erects this tribute
to the memory of fallen comrades
Philadelphia Brigade.
Erected 1883 by The 72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.
Location. 39° 48.773′ N, 77° 14.145′ W. Memorial is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on Hancock Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located near the "Copse of Trees" and the "Angle" on Cemetery Ridge in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Thunderous Duel (a few steps from this marker); A Change in Plans (a few steps from this marker); Against All Odds (a few steps from this marker); Death at the Wall (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Pickett's Charge (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The High Water Mark (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battlefield LandmarksSouth and West (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Cushing's Union Battery (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry. Service history of the regiment. (Submitted on February 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
2. Front of Monument
Photographed by Craig Swain, February 21, 2009
3. 72nd Pennsylvania Initial Position of July 3rd
Initially the 72nd Pennsylvania was in the second rank of Federal infantry, backing up the artillery on Cemetery Ridge. Their line was generally along what is today Hancock Avenue, to the right of frame. Normally the contributor would attempt to describe the monuments in view here. Suffice to say, there are too many to note individually. However, the Statue of General Webb is just left of center. The Copse of Trees is on the right.
Photographed by Craig Swain, February 21, 2009
4. 72nd Pennsylvania Counterattacks the Confederate Breech
Looking past the monument toward the stone wall in front of the Copse of Trees. When the 71st Pennsylvania fell back under pressure from Armistead's Confederates, the 72nd Pennsylvania counterattacked into the "angle."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,527 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
