Benning’s Brigade served as a member of Hood’s Division in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The brigade is honored by a monument and an advanced 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 HOOD’S DIVISION
BENNING’S BRIGADE
2nd 15th 17th 20th Georgia Infantry
July 2. Arrived and formed line about 4 P. M. in rear of Law’s and Robertson’s Brigades and moving forward in support of these took prominent part in the severe conflict which resulted in the capture of Devil’s Den together with a number of prisoners and three guns of the 4th New York Battery
July 3. Held Devil’s Den and the adjacent crest of rocky ridge until late in the evening when under orders the Brigade retired to position near here. Through mistake of orders the 15th Georgia did not retire directly but moved northward encountered a superior Union force and suffered considerable loss.
July 4. Occupied breastworks near here facing southward until midnight.
July 5. About 5 A. M. began the march to Hagerstown Md.
Present about 1500 Losses 509
When was this photograph taken? April 15, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on West side of South Confederate Avenue, South of Emmitsburg Road and Bushman Lane.
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 Tablet
Photographed: March 23, 2008.
Location: Sickles Avenue, east of Devil’s Den. Located on West side of Sickles Ave, at Devils Den. This monument is denoted on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Iron tablet denotes advanced position of the brigade during the battle. Erected 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. Inscribed as follows:
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS HOOD’S DIVISION
BENNING’S BRIGADE
2nd 15th 17th 20th Georgia Infantry
July 2. Formed in line about 4 P. M. in rear of Law’s and Robertson’s Brigades and moving forward in support took active part in the conflict that resulted in the capture of Devil’s Den together with a number of prisoners and 3 guns of Smith’s 4th New York Battery.
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. Henry Lewis Benning (April 2, 1814 – July 10, 1875) was a lawyer, legislator, judge on the Georgia Supreme Court, and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He is also noted for the U.S. Army’s Fort Benning, which was named in his honor. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning (will open a pop up window).
Regiments
2nd Georgia Infantry
Commander: Lt. Col. William T. Harris (1829-1863). Lawyer, planter, member of state legislature. Killed on July 2 at Gettysburg.
Strength: 348; 25 killed, 66 wounded, 11 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. Nelson Dickerson, Company F
- Lt. James C. Franklin, Company B
- Capt. Benjamin L. Hancock, Company H
- Lt. Col. William T. Harris, field officer, aged 33
- Lt. G.W. Hurst, Company D
- Lt. J.G. McGehee, Company C
Supplemental Materials: None.
15th Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. Dudley M. Du Bose (1834-1883). Lawyer. Served post-war in the U.S. Congress.
Strength: 368; 14 killed, 58 wounded, 99 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. William H. Hardwick, Company K
Supplemental Materials: None.
17th Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. Wesley C. Hodges (?-?). Wounded at the battle of the Wilderness.
Strength: 350; 31 killed, 66 wounded, 11 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. George W. Potter, Company F
Supplemental Materials: None.
20th Georgia Infantry
Commander: Col. John A. Jones (?-1863). Killed in action on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg.
Strength: 350; 25 killed, 84 wounded, 28 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Col. John A. Jones, Field Officer
- Lt. Farquhar McCrimmon, Company H
- Capt. Virgil A.S. Parks, Company D
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
