Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Brigade
First Division - First Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
1. First Brigade Tablet
First Corps First Division
First Brigade
Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith
Col. William W. Robinson
19th. Indiana, 24th. Michigan
2d. 6th. 7th. Wisconsin Infantry
July 1 Arrived at 10 a.m. went into position and charged Brig. Gen. Archer's Brigade in Reyonlds's Woods forced the Confederate line across Willoughby Run capturing Brg. Gen. Archer and many prisoners. The 19th Indiana, 24th Michigan and the 2nd and 7th Wisconsin retired and formed line in Reynolds's Woods the 6th Wisconsin having gone to the support of Second Brigade against Brig. Gen. Davis's Brigade Major Gen. Heth's Division. At 4 p.m. being outflanked and hard pressed the Brigade retired under a heavy fire of infantry and Artillery to Seminary Ridge and thence to Cemetery Hill and to the north slope of Culp's Hill and intrenched.
July 2 Repulsed without loss a sharp attack at night. About sunset the 6th Wisconsin went to the support of Third Brigade Second Division Twelfth Corps and assisted in repelling attacks during the night.
July 3 Repulsed a sharp attack in the morning without loss.
Casualties Killed 13 Officers 158 Men. Wounded 54 Officers 666 Men. Captured or missing 13 Officers 249 Men. Total 1153.
Erected by Gettysburg National Military Park
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1815.
Location. 39° 50.127′ N, 77° 15.25′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Meredith Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located in the Herbst Farm Woods (also called McPherson's or Reynolds' Woods) in Gettysburg National Military Park. 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. 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Archer's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Twenty-Sixth North Carolina Regiment (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 14th (Brooklyn) Infantry N.Y.S.M. (about 400 feet away); John Burns (about 400 feet away); 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. First (Iron) Brigade, First Division, First Corps at Gettysburg
Also see . . .
1. Report of Col. William W. Robinson
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
2. Iron Brigade Tablet
The tablet is located in front of the left flank marker for the 2nd Wisconsin.
Arrived in the vicinity of Gettysburg about 10 a.m., when we heard firing to the left of the town, and were informed that our cavalry were engaged with the enemy's advance. The brigade was immediately moved across the field to the left, to the point where the cavalry were engaged, where we formed them in position behind a grove of timber and slight elevation of land, their position being behind and parallel to this ridge, with their skirmishers dismounted and thrown forward of the ridge. Just at the time we came up, a brigade of the enemy's infantry was advancing upon the position. We were ordered to take position on the ridge in front of the cavalry as quickly as possible. I immediately formed companies, and threw the battalion forward into line in double-quick, and advanced to the top of the ridge. We had not halted to load, and no orders had been received to do so, for the reason, I suppose, that no one expected we were to be engaged so suddenly. I, however, gave the order to load during the movement, which was executed by the men while on the double-quick, so that no time was lost by this omission. (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
3. Willoughby Run
Looking downstream (south) on Willoughby Run, about 100 yards west of the tablet location. Meredeth's Iron Brigade surged forward to Willoughby Run in their counter attacks against Archer's Brigade in the mid-morning phases of the fighting of July 1. Note the "squared" stones on the west side (right) of the creek. The rocks are part of an abutment for a horse drawn trolley which served the Katalysine Spring Hotel. The hotel was built post-war, and stood until 1917.
2. The Iron Brigade. The Brigade, the 1st of the 1st Division of the 1st Corps, was commonly known as the Iron Brigade so named for their stubborn defense on several battlefields. (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 1, 2008
4. Iron Brigade Falls Back to Seminary Ridge
Looking from Reynolds Avenue toward the Lutheran Seminary. After the position in McPherson Woods collapsed, the Iron Brigade deployed to a good defensive position in front of the Seminary. Note the spires of the buildings of the Seminary within the distant tree line. In this defense, the Brigade was arrayed, from north (left) to south (right) - 7th Wisconsin, 2nd Wisconsin, 24th Michigan, and 19th Indiana.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,192 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
