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

That Order Meant Death

July 2, 6:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

That Order Meant Death Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

1. That Order Meant Death Marker

Inscription. Union General Winfield Hancock watched as a wave of Confederates breached a gap in the Union line. He ordered the hard-fighting, veteran soldiers of the 1st Minnesota to charge, buying time for reinforcements to arrive. Outnumbered six to one, Lieutenant William Lochren remembered, "Every man realized...that order meant; death or wounds to us all..." Starting the war with over 1,000 men, on July 2 only 262 men remained. Fixing bayonets, the courageous Minnesotans raced forward. Man after man fell in the furious attack. Their gallant charge, and the attacking Union units on either side, forced the Confederates to retreat. The 1st Minnesota lost 215 killed, wounded, or captured.

Erected 2021 by The 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 2, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.4′ N, 77° 14.105′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial is at the intersection of Hancock Avenue and Humphreys Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Hancock Avenue. 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. 12th Massachusetts (here, next to this marker); First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers

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(a few steps from this marker); 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers Position (a few steps from this marker); 90th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Batteries C & F, Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pennsylvania Remembers (about 300 feet away); Pennsylvania Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Also see . . .
1. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Sacrifice of the 1st Minnesota" (Submitted on March 28, 2021.)

2. Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on March 28, 2021.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

2. That Order Meant Death Marker

This view looks west from the marker.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

3. That Order Meant Death Marker

This view looks to the west-southwest from the marker.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

4. That Order Meant Death Marker

This view looks to the west-northwest from the marker.

Minnesota Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

5. Minnesota Memorial

This is just a few steps south of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.