Semmes’ Brigade served as a member of McLaws’ Division in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The brigade is honored by a monument and a position tablet.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1910. The last monument was completed on December 19, 1910.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Polished smooth red Maine granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? 3.8 feet x 3.4 feet diameter base. Height 5’4″. Tablet measures 4 feet by 3 feet 8 inches and weighs 300 pounds. Overall weight is 3000 pounds.
Who made it? Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Erected by the United States War Department.
What does it depict? Monolith consisting of polished smooth red Maine granite pedestal with a circular base. On each pedestal is mounted a bronze inscription tablet describing the movements and actions of the unit.
What does it honor? One of 64 Confederate brigade monuments. Designed by E. B. Cope and erected by the U.S. War Department. They indicate the general location of the centers of the various Confederate brigades and artillery battalions during several phases of the battle. Some of the tablets were made from melted down Civil War cannon. The tablets describe the itinerary and movements of each brigade.
How is it inscribed? The monument reads,
C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
SEMMES’ BRIGADE
10th 50th 51st 53rd Georgia Infantry
July 2. Arrived about 3.30 P. M. and formed line 50 yards west of this. Advanced about 5 P. M. in support of Kershaw and Anderson and took a prominent part in the severe and protracted conflict on Rose Hill and in the ravine and forest east of there and in the vicinity of the Loop. Participated also in the general advance late in the evening by which the Union forces were forced out of the Wheatfield and across Plum Run Valley. Brig Gen. Paul J. Semmes fell mortally wounded in the ravine near the Loop.
July 3. During the afternoon Anderson’s Brigade being withdrawn for duty elsewhere the Brigade was left in the occupancy of the woodland south of the Wheatfield. At 1 P. M. under orders it resumed its original position near here.
July 4. About midnight began the march to Hagerstown Md.
Present about 1200 Losses 430
When was this photograph taken? June 16, 2012. Monument faces east.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on West side of West Confederate Avenue, South of Wheatfield Road.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Advanced Position Marker
Photographed: February 8, 2009.
Location: Wheatfield on Brooke Avenue. Located on West side of Brooke Avenue. Monument location denoted on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Iron tablet denotes advanced position of the brigade during the battle. Erected in 1907. Cast iron tablet, 3’8″ x 3’4″, with raised inscription painted in a contrasting color and mounted on fluted cast iron post. All 4’4″ H. Cast by Calvin Gilbert. It reads as follows,
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
SEMMES’ BRIGADE
10th 50th 51st 53rd Georgia Infantry
July 2. Arrived on the field about 3.30 P. M. Advanced about 5 o’clock in support of Kershaw’s and Anderson’s Brigades and took an active part in the conflict on Rose Hill and in the ravine and forest east of there in the vicinity of the Loop. Participated in the general advance late in the evening by which the Union forces were forced out of the Wheatfield and across Plum Run Valley. Brig. Gen. J. Semmes fell mortally wounded in the ravine near the Loop.
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. Paul Jones Semmes (June 4, 1815 – July 10, 1863) was a banker, businessman, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War, mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. More about this officer.
Regiments
10th Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. John B. Weems (1824-1876). Native of Augusta. Wounded at Savage’s Station and Gettysburg.
Strength: 303; 17 killed, 73 wounded, 11 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. J.T. Key, Company E
Supplemental Materials: None.
50th Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. William R. Manning (?-?). He resigned at the end of July 1863.
Strength: 302; 17 killed, 65 wounded, 14 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Capt. Isaac G. Burkhalter, Company G, aged 32
- Capt. Edward M. Ford, Company A, aged 43
- Lt. Col. Francis C. Kearse, field officer, aged 26
- Lt. Etheldred Langford, Company D, aged 41
Supplemental Materials: None.
51st Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. Edward Ball (1825-1864). Mortally wounded at Cedar Creek. Buried in Cuthbert, Georgia.
Strength: 303; 15 killed, 40 wounded, 40 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Maj. Henry W. Dunwody, Field Officer, aged 37
Supplemental Materials: None.
53rd Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. James P. Simms (?-?).
Strength: 422; 30 killed, 61 wounded, 8 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Capt. T.W. Atkins, Company A
- Capt. John M.D. Bond, Company I
- Capt. Sanford W. Glass, Company E
- Lt. Col. James W. Hance, Field Officer, aged 35
- Lt. Benjamin B. McCowen, Company K
- Lt. Thomas F. Rawls, Company G
Supplemental Materials: None.
Longstreet’s Corps, ANV at Gettysburg
LONGSTREET’S CORPS – Hood’s Division – Anderson’s Brigade – Benning’s Brigade – Law’s Brigade – Robertson’s Brigade – Henry’s Battalion – McLaws’ Division – Barksdale’s Brigade – Kershaw’s Brigade – Semmes’ Brigade – Wofford’s Brigade – Cabell’s Battalion – Pickett’s Division – Armistead’s Brigade – Garnett’s Brigade – Kemper’s Brigade – Dearing’s Battalion – Artillery Reserve – Alexander’s Battalion – Eshelman’s Battalion
Georgia at Gettysburg
INFANTRY – 2nd Infantry – 2nd Battalion – 3rd Infantry – 3rd Sharpshooters – 4th Infantry – 7th Infantry – 8th Infantry – 9th Infantry – 10th Infantry – 11th Infantry – 12th Infantry – 13th Infantry – 14th Infantry – 15th Infantry – 16th Infantry – 17th Infantry – 18th Infantry – 20th Infantry – 21st Infantry – 22nd Infantry – 24th Infantry – 26th Infantry – 31st Infantry – 35th Infantry – 38th Infantry – 44th Infantry – 45th Infantry – 48th Infantry – 49th Infantry – 50th Infantry – 51st Infantry – 53rd Infantry – 59th Infantry – 60th Infantry – 61st Infantry – Cobb’s Legion – Phillips Legion :: CAVALRY – Cobb’s Legion – Phillips Legion :: ARTILLERY – Milledge – Pulaski – Sumter (Co. A, B, and C) – Troup
