Draw the Sword

Old Guard

Location: Ayres Avenue

Order of Battle: 5th Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade

Number Engaged: 308; 6 killed, 66 wounded, 1 missing

Commander: Capt. Henry W. Freedley (d. 1889)

Raised: It was enlisted from New York City and Suffolk County, Massachusetts and traced back to 1815. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, the regiment was in route to New York Harbor from Indianola, Texas. There were six companies at Gettysburg (B, C, F, G, I, and K).

Monument Specifications: Polished granite monument with rough hewn sides with bronze plaque and seal affixed to the front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1907-1908.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIFTH CORPS
SECOND DIVISION FIRST BRIGADE
THIRD U. S. INFANTRY
Six Companies
Captain Henry W. Freedly and Captain Richard C. Lay
Commanding

July 2. Arrived in the morning and took position near the line of the Twelfth Corps. The Regiment with the Brigade moved from the right to the left of the line and at 5 P. M. advanced across Plum Run near Little Round Top and supported the Second Brigade in its advance to the crest of the rocky wooded hill beyond and facing to the left engaged the Confederates but retired under a deadly fire on the left right and rear. After the Confederates had gained a position in the Wheatfield in the rear of the Brigade and took position on east slope of Little Round Top.

July 3. Remained in same position.

July 4. The Regiment with the Brigade made a reconnaissance and developed a force of the Confederate infantry and artillery in front.

Casualties Killed 6 Men Wounded 4 Officers and 89 Men Missing 1 Man

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Capt. Andrew Sheridan (will open a pop up window).

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

In Texas until March, 1861. Companies “C” and “E” moved to New York March, 1861, and Companies “B,” “D,” “G,” “H” and “K” to New York March 19-April 25, 1861. Companies “C” and “E” moved to Fort Pickens, Fla., arriving there April 16, 1861, and duty there until June, 1862. Action on Santa Rosa Island, Fla., October 9, 1861. Bombardment of Fort Pickens November 22-23. Fort Barrancas January 1, 1862. Fort Pickens May 9-12. Rejoined Regiment in Army Potomac June, 1862. Companies “A,” “F” and “I” surrendered at Mattagorda Bay, Texas, April 26, 1861. Companies “F” and “I” Joined Regiment at Washington February, 1862. Companies “B,” “D,” “G,” “H” and “K” moved from Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Harbor, to Washington, D. C., May 9, 1861, and duty there until March, 1862. Attached to Porter’s Brigade, Hunter’s Division, McDowell’s Army of Northeast Virginia, to August, 1861. Porter’s City Guard, Washington, D.C., to March, 1862. Sykes’ Regular Infantry, Reserve Brigade, Army Potomac, to May, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to August, 1863. Dept. of the East, to October, 1864. Defenses of Washington, D.C., 22nd Army Corps, to February, 1865. Headquarters Army Potomac, to May, 1865. Defenses of Washington, 22nd Corps, to October, 1865.

SERVICE.–Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21, 1861. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Duty at Washington until March, 1862. Moved to the Virginia Peninsula March, 1862. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville June 26; Gaines’ Mill June 27; Turkey Bridge June 30; Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Moved to Fortress Monroe, thence to Centerville August 16-28. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 28-September 2. Battles of Groveton August 29; Bull Run August 30. Maryland Campaign September 6-22. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Shepherdstown Ford September 19-20. At Sharpsburg until October 29. Kearneysville and Shepherdstown October 16-17. Moved to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. At New York City during draft disturbances August 21-September 14. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Ordered to New York December, 1863, and duty at Forts Richmond, Hamilton and Columbus, N.Y. Harbor, until October, 1864. Ordered to Washington, D.C., and duty there until February, 1865. Ordered to City Point, Va., and duty at Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, to May, 1865. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Moved to Washington, D.C., May, and duty there until October, 1865. Grand Review May 23. Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 39 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 48 Enlisted men by disease. Total 89.