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

The Storm of Battle

July 3, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

The Storm of Battle Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. The Storm of Battle Marker

Inscription. At 1:00 pm on July 3, approximately 150 Confederate cannon opened fire on Cemetery Ridge and Cemetery Hill, one mile to your front. Federal artillery responded. This thunderous bombardment, a prelude to the Confederate assault known as Pickett's Charge, lasted two hours and was heard miles away. At 3:00 pm, Confederate General Robert E. Lee watched his battle line, nearly 12,000 Confederate infantrymen, step out across these open fields toward Union troops on Cemetery Ridge. Federal artillery and musketry pelted the advancing Southerners with lead and iron, killing and mangling hundreds, but they pressed forward into the storm of battle. A few hundred Confederates reached Cemetery Ridge, clashing in hand-to-hand combat. Within an hour it was over. Nearly half of the 12,000 had fallen. Pickett's Charge had failed.

(caption)
From near this spot, Confederate General James Longstreet gave Confederate General George Pickett permission to begin the assault. An hour later, Lee and Longstreet rode out to meet the shattered command returning to Seminary Ridge.

Erected 2021 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.833′

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N, 77° 15.016′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of West Confederate Avennue and Virginia Monument Circle, on the left when traveling south. 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. Virginia Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Wright's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Army of Northern Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Ward's Battery - Poague's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Posey's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Brooke's Battery - Poague's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Garnett's Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Poague's Howitzers (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Also see . . .
1. Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on February 17, 2021.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Pickett's Charge" (Submitted on February 18, 2021.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. The Storm of Battle Marker

This view looks towards the east.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. The Storm of Battle Marker

This view looks towards the northeast.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

4. The Storm of Battle Marker

This view looks towards the east. The footpath that can be seen in the right part of the photo leads off towards the location known as the "Point of Woods."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.