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

Longstreet Attacks

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

1. Longstreet Attacks Marker

Inscription. Following his army's success on July 1, Confederate General Robert E. Lee planned to attack both ends of the Union line south of Gettysburg. The main effort, given to General James Longstreet, was intended to "roll up" the Federal left, while General Richard Ewell launched a diversionary attack on Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill to the north. Longstreet disagreed with Lee's plan, stating his preference for a defensive battle, but followed orders and put his troops into motion at noon. Meanwhile, Union troops advanced to a new line stretching from Devil's Den to the Peach Orchard, leaving the key hills, Big and Little Round Top, to your front, unoccupied. At 4:00 pm Longstreet's assault began, an attack he would later call "the best three hours' fighting ever done by any troops on any battlefield." (Painting caption) Confederate General John B. Hood's 7,000-man battle line advanced from this location. Hood protested his orders, preferring to sweep around the Round Tops rather than attack in front, but was rebuffed. Hood was injured in the first minutes of the attack--a serious loss to Confederate leadership during the fight.

Erected 2022

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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° 47.103′ N, 77° 15.218′ W. Memorial is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on South Confederate Avenue 0.4 miles south of Emmitsburg Road (Business U.S. 15), on the left when traveling south. Located on South Confederate Avenue at Auto Tour Stop 7 on Warfield Ridge. 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: Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

2. Longstreet Attacks Marker

This view looks toward the east, with the Round Tops in the background.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Reilly's Battery - Henry's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Reilly's Battery - Henry's Battalion (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alabamians! (about 600 feet away); Garden's Battery - Henry's Battalion (about 600 feet away); Law's Brigade (about 700 feet away); Fourth Alabama Infantry - Law's Brigade (about 700 feet away); Henry's Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Longstreet Attacks at 4 p.m. (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this memorial. This new marker replaces the old marker at this location which was entitled "Longstreet Attacks at 4 P.M."

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

3. Longstreet Attacks Marker

A closer-in view of the painting, showing its caption

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

4. Longstreet Attacks Marker

A closeup of the map on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.