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

Holding Houck's Ridge

July 2, 4:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Holding Houck's Ridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. Holding Houck's Ridge Marker

Inscription. Union General J.H. Hobart Ward's brigade fought desperately to hold the line here on Houck's Ridge, anchoring the left flank of the Third Corps. For 30 minutes Confederate artillery pounded the Union position, then Confederate General John B. Hood's division began its assault. Wave after wave of Southerners advanced, hitting Ward's men "like an avalanche." Union soldiers unleashed murderous fire, but the Confederates were relentless. Ward reported his single line advanced and retired, time after time for 90 minutes, but the Confederates were unstoppable. Ward's line finally collapsed and his brigade retreated, leaving Southern troops holding the ridge.

(captions)
Union General Ward's brigade defended against Confederate General Hood's assault. Difficult and impassable terrain and artillery fire complicated and slowed the Confederate advance, but the determined Southerners succeeded in taking the ridge.
Union General J.H. Hobart Ward
The 99th Pennsylvania infantry likely carried "flank markers," like this, into action here. During the fighting on Houck's Ridge this unit lost 110 men killed, wounded, or captured.

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

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War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.

Location. 39° 47.533′ N, 77° 14.55′ W. Marker is near Round Top, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Sickles Avenue, 0.3 miles west of Warren Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in the Devil's Den area of the battlefield. 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. 4th New York Independent Battery (a few steps from this marker); Robertson's Brigade (a few steps from this marker); 99th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Attack on Devil's Den (within shouting distance of this marker); Buying Time (within shouting distance of this marker); 124th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Photography (within shouting distance of this marker); Slaughter at Devil's Den (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Smith's New York Battery".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on April 28, 2022.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. Holding Houck's Ridge Marker

This view looks towards the west.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. Holding Houck's Ridge Marker

This view looks towards the southwest. The Slyder Farm can be seen in the middle background.

A Pair of New Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, April 28, 2022

4. A Pair of New Markers

These two new wayside markers are along Sickles Avenue at the top of Devil's Den. The marker on the left is entitled "Holding Houck's Ridge," and the one on the right is entitled "Buying Time."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 905 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.