Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Twenty-Sixth North Carolina Regiment
Pettigrew's Brigade - Heth's Division
— Hill's Corps - Army of Northern Virginia —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
1. Twenty-Sixth North Carolina Regiment Monument
North Carolina Regiment
Pettigrew's Brigade Heth's Division
Hill's Corps
Army of Northern Virginia
———————
Henry King Burgwyn, Jr.
Colonel
John Thomas Jones
Major
John Randolph Lane
Lieutenant Colonel
Pettigrew's Brigade moved toward Gettysburg early on the morning of July 1 and shortly after noon deployed in line of battle on the ridge 600 yards west of here. The 26th North Carolina stood on the Brigade's left flank facing these woods and the 24th Michigan of Meredith's Iron Brigade. The order to advance was made about 2:30 PM on nearing Willoughby Run the Regiment received a galling fire from the opposite bank. By Maj. Jones' account the "fighting was terrible" with the forces "pouring volleys into each other at a distance not greater than 20 paces." After about an hour the Regiment had incurred very heavy losses. Col. Burgwyn had been mortally wounded and Lt. Col. Lane injured. The attack continued until the union troops fell back through the streets of Gettysburg and took up positions south of town.
On July 9 Brigadier General James Johnston Pettigrew wrote that the Regiment had "covered itself with glory.... it fell to the lot of the 26th to charge one of the strongest positions possible...with a gallantry
this page online
Erected 1985 by State of North Carolina.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 39° 50.083′ N, 77° 15.277′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Stone-Meredith Avenue, on the right 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. Archer's Brigade (a few steps from this marker); 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); First Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (about 400 feet away); 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (about 400 feet away); 14th (Brooklyn) Infantry N.Y.S.M.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
2. Twenty-Sixth North Carolina Regiment Monument
Also see . . .
1. 26th North Carolina History. Brief history of the regiment. Note links to the side to more information about the regiment's service. (Submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 26th North Carolina in McPherson Woods. Gettysburg Daily article. (Submitted on December 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
3. Willoughby Run
The creek bisects the First Day battlefield from north to south, crossing the Chambersburg Pike to the west of Stone-Meredith Avenue. The Run continues south, to the west of Seminary Ridge, eventually emptying into Marsh Creek. Throughout the morning fighting on July 1, the Confederates and Federals contested Willoughby Run. The 26th North Carolina pushed up the east side of the Run and finally settled the matter after a costly exchange with the Iron Brigade.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008
4. Into Herbst Farm Woods
In the afternoon of July 1, the left flank of the 26th North Carolina advanced up from the bottoms of Willoughby Run to drive back the 2nd Wisconsin, 24th Michigan, and 19th Indiana. This photo looks to the northwest along Meredith Avenue, beside the Monument location. The North Carolinians advanced from the left to the right, into Herbst Farm Woods (often called McPherson's or Reyonolds' Woods).
The American Civil War Museum
5. The Three Colonels of the 26th North Carolina Regiment
From left to right: John Randolph Lane, Henry King Burgwyn and Zebulon Baird Vance.
Cyrus P. Wharton's photograph of an 1887 painting by William George Randall.
Cyrus P. Wharton's photograph of an 1887 painting by William George Randall.
Photographed By Jacob McCandles, October 8, 2011
6. Twenthy-Sixth North Carolina Regiment Marker
Panoramic shot of Willoughby Run. Facing west (left is south).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,956 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on July 18, 2012.
