Draw the Sword

The First Corps was commanded by James Longstreet at Gettysburg.

Location: West Confederate Avenue, south of Millerstown Road

Monument Specifications: Rock hewn stone square monument with bronze descriptive plaque affixed to front.

Erected Date: 1910.

Inscription: The tablet reads as follows,

ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
FIRST ARMY CORPS
Lieutenant General James Longstreet

McLaws’s Division Major General Lafayette McLaws
Pickett’s Division Major General George E. Pickett
Hood’s Division Major General John B. Hood
Brigadier General E. M. Law
Artillery Reserve
Ten Batteries Colonel J. B. Walton

July 1. McLaws’ Division encamped about four miles from Gettysburg a little after dark. Hood’s Division reached the same distance about 12 P. M. Law’s Brigade on picket at New Guilford. Pickett’s Division guarding trains at Chambersburg.

July 2. Moved that portion of the command which was up to gain the Emmitsburg Road on Union left. Delayed attack until 3.30 P. M. when Law’s Brigade joined from New Guilford. McLaws’ Division in position facing Union left. About 4 P. M. Hood’s Division moved further to the right and took position partially enveloping Union left. The batteries opened about 4 P. M. upon Union troops on Emmitsburg Road Hood’s Division pressing on left and McLaws’ in front the Union troops were dislodged. The engagement lasted until nearly night with heavy losses. The ground gained on the front was held. The left was withdrawn to first Union position at Peach Orchard.

July 3. Pickett’s Division reached the field at 9 A. M. Pickett’s Heth’s and part of Pender’s Divisions were ordered to form column of assault on Union centre on Cemetery Hill. The batteries opened about 1 P. M. About 3 P. M. Pickett advanced in good order under a severe fire and was repulsed at the stone wall losing heavily McLaws’ and Hood’s Divisions were not seriously engaged during the day and night.

July 4. The Corps took up the line of march during the night.

Casualties Killed 910 Wounded 4339 Captured or Missing 2290 Total 7539

Other Monuments: None.

About the Commander: Lieutenant General James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904). Biography on Wikipedia.

Wofford’s Brigade were members of McLaws’ Division in the First Corps (James Longstreet).

Location: West Confederate Avenue, Pitzer Woods

Monument Specifications: Bronze marker with a round stone base. Marks the position and action of the brigade.

Erected Date: 1910-1911.

Inscription: The tablet reads as follows,

C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
WOFFORD’S BRIGADE
16th 18th 24th Regiments Cobb’s and Phillips’ Legions Georgia Infantry

July 2. Arrived at 4 P. M. and formed line 100 yards west of this. Ordered to the front about 6 P. M. and advanced soon afterward along Wheatfield Road flanked the Union forces assailing the Loop and aided the Confederates thereby relieved in forcing them back through the Wheatfield to the foot of Little Round Top. Assailed there by a strong body of fresh troops and receiving at the same moment an order to withdraw the Brigade fell back at sunset to the grove west of the Wheatfield.

July 3. One regiment was left on outpost duty in that grove. The others supported artillery on Peach Orchard Ridge. All withdrew late in the afternoon.

July 4. In line here all day. At midnight began march to Hagerstown.

Present about 1350 Killed 36 Wounded 207 Missing 112 Tota1 355

Other Monuments: Iron position tablet is located Emmitsburg Road, opposite the Peach Orchard. Erected 1907. Text is as follows,

ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
WOFFORD’S BRIGADE
16th 18th 24th Regiments Cobb’s and Phillip’s Legions Georgia Infantry

July 2. Arrived at 4 P. M. and formed line 500 yards west of here ordered to the front about 6 o’clock. Advanced soon afterwards along Wheatfield Road struck the Union line near the Loop and joined Kershaw’s Brigade in driving the Union forces through the Wheatfield to the base of Little Round Top. Assailed by Union reinforcements and receiving orders to withdraw the Brigade fell back at sunset to the cover of the woods west of the Wheatfield.

July 3. One regiment was left on outpost duty in that grove. The others supported artillery on Peach Orchard Ridge. All withdrew late in the afternoon.

July 4. In line 500 yards west of here all day. At midnight began the march to Hagerstown.

Present about 1355 Killed 36 Wounded 207 Missing 112 Total 355

About the Commander: Brig. Gen. William Tatum Wofford (June 28, 1824 – May 22, 1884). Biography on Wikipedia.

Kemper’s Brigade were members of Pickett’s Division in the First Corps (James Longstreet).

Location: West Confederate Avenue, Spangler Woods

Monument Specifications: Bronze marker with a round stone base. Marks the position and action of the brigade.

Erected Date: 1910-1911.

Inscription: The tablet reads as follows,

C. S. A.
LONGSTREET’S CORPS PICKETT’S DIVISION
KEMPER’S BRIGADE
1st 3rd 7th 11th 24th Virginia Infantry

July 2. Arrived about sunset and bivouacked on the western border of Spangler’s Woods.

July 3. In the forenoon formed line in the field east of the woods with right flank near Spangler’s Barn. At the close of the cannonade advanced and took part in Longstreet’s assault upon the Union position in the vicinity of the Angle. Exposed to a severe fire of artillery and vigorously assailed beyond the Emmitsburg Road by infantry on the right flank with ranks thinned and much disorganized by its losses especially of officers it pressed on against the Union line at the stone wall where after a fierce encounter the struggle ended. Gen. J. L. Kemper fell wounded in front of the stone wall.

July 4. Spent the day in reorganization and during the night began the march to Hagerstown.

Present 1575 Killed 56 Wounded 356 Missing 317 Total 731

Other Monuments: None.

About the Commander: Brig. Gen. James Lawson Kemper (June 11, 1823 – April 7, 1895). Biography on Wikipedia.