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

"Forward Men"

July 1, 10:00 am

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

"Forward Men" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

1. "Forward Men" Marker

Inscription. Union General John Reynolds rushed his First Corps to the aid of General John Buford's cavalry. Riding at the head of his command, he led the Midwesterners of the Iron Brigade into this woodlot as the advancing Confederates opened fire. Spurring his black charger into heavy fire, he shouted above the deafening roar of battle, "Forward, men. Forward, for God's sake and drive those fellows out of the woods." These were his last words. A minie ball struck the back of his neck, killing him instantly. Word quickly spread their commander had fallen, but the soldiers advanced, ultimately accomplishing what Reynolds urged them to do--force the enemy out of the woods and back to Willoughby Run.

Erected 2022 by The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.

Location. 39° 50.074′ N, 77° 15.022′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on South Reynolds Avenue 0.1 miles north of Stone-Meredith Avenue, on the left when traveling north.

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Marker is located at Auto Tour Stop No. 1, at the east end of Reynolds's Woods, also known as McPherson's Woods, also known as Herbst's Woods. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker 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: Fight Like the Devil (here, next to this marker); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Gen. John F. Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); First Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Division (within shouting distance of this marker); First Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 151st Pennsylvania Infantry

Closeup of General Reynolds's Pin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

2. Closeup of General Reynolds's Pin

From the marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 8th New York Cavalry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Monuments and Markers (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Battle Opens (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "The Battle Opens".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on April 20, 2022.)

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

3. "Forward Men" Marker

A closeup of the painting from the marker

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

4. "Forward Men" Marker

A closeup of General Reynolds from the painting

The pair of new wayside markers at Auto Tour Stop 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

5. The pair of new wayside markers at Auto Tour Stop 1

The marker on the left is entitled "Fight Like the Devil" and the marker on the right is entitled "Forward Men."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 694 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.