Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Brigade
First Division - Second Corps
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
1. First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps Tablet
The trefoil of Second Corps appears at the top of the tablet.
Second Corps First Division
First Brigade
Col. Edward E. Cross, Col. H. Boyd McKeen
5th. New Hampshire 61st. New York
81st. 148th. Pennsylvania Infantry
July 2 Arrived about 7 a.m. and was massed in woods at left and rear of the line of Corps and at 10 a.m. took position forming the left of Division in column of regiments. Between 5 and 6 p.m. moved with Division to the support of Third Corps forming line of battle along a stone wall at the rear and east of the Wheatfield and advanced against the Confederate forces in the Wheatfield and in the woods at the left forcing them back to the farther end of the Wheatfield and taking many prisoners when the ammunition being exhausted the Brigade was relieved by part of Second Division Fifth Corps and Second Brigade First Division Fifth Corps and retired to the stone wall and finally with Division to former position in line with Corps. Col. Cross fell mortally wounded early in the engagement.
July 3 Constructed breastworks early in the morning which gave protection from the cannonade in the afternoon.
Remained in position until the close of the battle.
Casualties. Killed 2 officers 55 men. Wounded 22 officers 238 men.
this page online
Erected 1912 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
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° 47.767′ N, 77° 14.503′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Ayres Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located in the Wheatfield section of 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. 148th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 2d Pennsylvania Reserves (within shouting distance of this marker); 81st Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Frederick Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Second U.S. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 61st New York Infantry (about 300 feet away); Seventh U.S. Infantry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
2. Cross' Brigade Tablet
The brigade steadily drove the enemy back to the far end of the wheat-field, a distance of over 400 yards. So quickly was this done that prisoners were taken by the brigade before the enemy had time to spring from their hiding-places to retreat. A brigade of the Fifth Corps relieved the Sixty-first. Eighty-first, and a portion of the One hundred and forty-eighth. Perceiving that if the balance of the brigade should retire it would expose the left flank of this brigade, I kept the balance of the One hundred and forty-eighth in position. At this time I was informed that Colonel Cross, who commanded the brigade, was mortally wounded, and that the command of the brigade devolved upon me.
The Fifth and One hundred and forty-eighth remained in position, steadily holding the enemy in check, until every round of cartridge in this portion of the brigade was expended, and even then held their position until relieved by a brigade of General Barnes' division, of the Fifth Corps. Passing the relieving brigade by file, they retired in splendid order, as they were enfiladed by a galling fire from
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 11, 2008
3. Cross's Brigade Line
Cross's Brigade held a line somewhat diagonally across the Wheatfield, as indicated by the monuments. Seen here on the line are the 148th Pennsylvania, 81st Pennsylvania, and 61st New York (most distant). Behind the camera in the woods close to the intersection of Sickles and Ayres Avenue stands the 5th New Hampshire.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 877 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
