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 —
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 unsurpassed." Addressing his remarks to Zebulon Baird Vance, who had served as Colonel of the 26th until his election as governor in August, 1862, Pettigrew concluded that "your old comrades did honor to your association with them, and to the state they represented."
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. (about 600 feet away); John Burns (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
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.)
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 2,957 times since then and 49 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.