Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Barksdale’s Charge
July 2, 6:00 pm
— Gettysburg National Military Park —
Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 19, 2024
1. Barksdale’s Charge Marker
Inscription.
Barksdale’s Charge. July 2, 6:00 pm. Confederate General William Barksdale’s hard-fighting Mississippians, the 13th, 17th, 18th, and 21st infantry regiments, arrived in this position around 4:00 pm on July 2. Barksdale, anxious to engage the enemy to his front, repeatedly asked permission to attack. When the order finally came, Barksdale led his men forward. The 1,600 Mississippians raised the Rebel yell, advancing across the fields in front of you towards the Peach Orchard and Sherfy Farm. Seemingly unstoppable, the Southerners pushed through the Peach Orchard, smashing the Union line. They advanced to Plum Run, at the foot of Cemetery Ridge, before being forced back. Barksdale fell, mortally wounded, as he tried to rally his men., (captions) , Barksdale’s men were hardened veterans of the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. During the fighting on July 2nd, the brigade suffered 804 casualties, 50% of those who made the charge., With artillery support, Barksdale's regiments stormed across these fields, forcing Union troops out of the Peach Orchard.
Confederate General William Barksdale’s hard-fighting Mississippians—the 13th, 17th, 18th, and 21st infantry regiments—arrived in this position around 4:00 pm on July 2. Barksdale, anxious to engage the enemy to his front, repeatedly asked permission to attack. When the order finally came, Barksdale led his men forward. The 1,600 Mississippians raised the Rebel yell, advancing across the fields in front of you towards the Peach Orchard and Sherfy Farm. Seemingly unstoppable, the Southerners pushed through the Peach Orchard, smashing the Union line. They advanced to Plum Run, at the foot of Cemetery Ridge, before being forced back. Barksdale fell, mortally wounded, as he tried to rally his men.
(captions)
Barksdale’s men were hardened veterans of the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. During the fighting on July 2nd, the brigade suffered 804 casualties—50% of those who made the charge.
With artillery support, Barksdale's regiments stormed across these fields, forcing Union troops out of the Peach Orchard.
Erected 2024 by 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 2, 1863.
Location. 39° 48.144′
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N, 77° 15.346′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on West Confederate Avenue north of Millerstown Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is just behind the Mississippi State Monument, at Auto Tour Stop 6. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 W Confederate Ave, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2024, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 67 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2024, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
