Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Irish Brigade
Second Brigade, First Division
— Second Corps —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
1. The Irish Brigade Monument
(Front):
First Division
Second Corps
July 2, 1863. 6 p.m.
63. 69. 88.
New York Infantry
Irish Brigade
Casualties 63. 69. 88.
Killed 5. 5. 7.
Wounded 10. 14. 17.
Missing 8. 6. 4.
(Back):
The Brigade entered the battle under command of Colonel Patrick Kelly 530 strong, of which this contingent, comprising three battalions of two companies each, numbered 240 men. The original strength of these battalions was 3,000 men. The Brigade participated with great credit to itself and the race it represented, in every battle of the Army of the Potomac in which the Second Corps was engaged, from Fair Oaks, June 1, 1862, to Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
(Right):
in memory of Capt. James McK.Rorty and
four men who fell at the Bloody Angle July 3, 1863. The
Battery was mustered in December 9, 1861 as part of the
Irish Brigade it was detached therefrom and at
Gettysburg was consolidated with Battery B, 1st N.Y. Artillery
Erected 1888 by State of New York.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.
Location. 39° 47.825′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 5th Michigan Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Field Hospital of the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry (a few steps from this marker); 66th New York Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Third Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 52nd New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 57th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 28th Massachusetts Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Also see . . . Meagher's Irish Brigade. Short history of the brigade with links to the regimental service histories. (Submitted on January 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Front of Monument
Above the front inscription plaque is the figure of an Irish wolf hound, said to represent devotion and faith.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
3. Back of Monument
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
4. Right Side Plaque
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
5. Celtic Cross
The cross features the trefoil of Second Corps at the junction of the cross. Below it are disks with the regimental numbers 63, 69, 88. The seal of the State of New York and the seal of Ireland appear at the base.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
6. Left Side of Monument
View of the Irish wolf hound and the left side relief. The relief depicts a gun crew servicing an artillery piece.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
7. Sculptor's Mark on Right Side
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
8. Face of the Wolf Hound and Additional Inscriptions
On the left side of the monument, above the relief, is another inscription. Weathering has made it difficult to read.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
9. 69th New York Position Marker
Nearby the monument are marker stones for the three regiments. This one indicates the position on the line held by the 69th New York Infantry.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
10. Position of the 69th New York
Looking over the position marker back toward the monument (in the trees). The Brigade first drove the Confederates from Stony Hill then held a line on the west face.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,623 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
