Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Wells
Brevet Major General U.S. Volunteers
— 1837 - 1892 —
Photographed By Mike Stroud, circa 2001
1. William Wells Marker
Brevet Major General U.S. Vols.
1837 - 1892
First Lieut. Co. E. 1st Vermont Cavalry Oct. 14 1861
Captain Co. C. Nov. 18 1861
Major Dec. 30 1862
Colonel July 2 1864
Brevet Brigadier General U.S. Vols. Feb. 22 1865
Brevet Major General U.S. Vols.
"For gallant and meritorious services" March 13 1865
Brigadier General U.S. Vols. May 19 1865
Honorably mustered out Jan. 15 1866
Once wounded and once a prisoner
Awarded Medal of Honor for "most distinguished
gallantry at Gettysburg" July 3 1863
Commander of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps
(Right):
At 5 p.m. July 3 the 2nd Battalion 1st Vermont Cavalry led by Major William Wells, General Farnsworth commanding the brigade riding by his side crossed Plum Run near this point charging over stone walls amid rocks and through woods till they encountered five regiments of Law's Confederate Brigade near the spot where the regimental monument stands.
The 1st Battalion and part of the 3rd Lt. Col. A.W. Preston commanding were ordered to the support of the 2nd moved northerly to the Slyder house turned into the lane and struck Law's Brigade in the flank the onset was terrific sabres and bayonets revolvers and muskets being freely used after a struggle the hill was carried by the 1st Vermont and the prisoners
this page online
The three battalions united soon came under the fire of the 4th Alabama Infantry and presently of the 9th Georgia Infantry finding no exit to the south they turned to the east and charged the 15th Alabama Infantry which answered a summons to surrender by a destructive musketry fire. Those unhurt escaping mostly to the south.
This memorial signalizes the valor of the officers and the men of the First Vermont Cavalry who here paid to the nation the uttermost tribute of devotion.
Erected 1913 by State of Vermont.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 13, 1865.
Location. 39° 47.088′ N, 77° 14.716′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on South Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located between Bushman Hill and Big Round Top 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. A Ride to Death (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Farm Field to Battlefield (about 400 feet away); Battery E, Fourth U.S. Artillery (about
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Left Side Plaque
Also see . . . A Tale of Two Statues. (PDF) The William Wells Statues at Gettysburg, Pa. and Burlington, Vt. (Submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
3. Right Side Plaque
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
4. Relief on Front of Monument
The relief depicts Farnsworth's Charge
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
5. William Wells Statue
Why is a cavalry commander depicted on foot? One word - funding. See link to "Tale of two statues."
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
6. Major William Wells Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,868 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
