O’Neal’s Brigade served as a member of Rodes’ Division in the Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The brigade is honored by two monuments, one on the first day field and one on East Confederate Avenue.
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
EWELL’S CORPS RODES’ DIVISION
ONEAL’S BRIGADE
3rd 5th 6th 12th 26th Alabama Infantry
July 1. Soon after arriving at this position three regiments attacked the Union flank, the 5th Regiment being ordered to guard the wide interval between the Brigade and Doles’s Brigade in the valley on the left and the 3rd Regiment joining Daniel’s and afterwards Ramseur’s Brigade. The three regiments were repulsed with heavy loss but the entire Brigade took part in the general attack soon made by the Confederates which finally dislodged the Union forces from Seminary Ridge.
July 2. The Brigade in position all day in or near the town but not engaged.
July 3. The 5th Regiment lay in the southern borders of the town firing upon the Union artillery with their long range rifles. The other regiments moved to Culp’s Hill to reinforce Johnson’s Division.
July 4. Moved to Seminary Ridge. At night began the march to Hagerstown.
Present 1794 Killed 73 Wounded 430 Missing 193 Total 696
When was this photograph taken? June 16, 2012.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on West side of North Confederate Avenue, southeast of the Peace Light Monument.
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: Secondary Tablet
Photographed: February 7, 2009.
Location: East Confederate Avenue, east slope of Culp’s Hill. Located on East side of East Confederate Avenue, in woods below Culp’s Hill and near Rock Creek. This monument is denoted on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: There are 64 of these bronze inscription tablets, mounted on cylindrical polished granite pedestals, to Confederate brigades. They indicate the general location of the centers of the various Confederate brigades and artillery battalions during several phases of the battle. Designed by E. B. Cope. Some of the tablets were made from melted down Civil War cannon. The tablets are 3.8 feet x 3.4 feet in dimension and rest on bases that are 6.4 feet in circumference. The overall height of these markers is 5.4 feet, and they rest on either rubble or concrete foundations. The monument consists of red circular Maine granite bases 34 1/2 inches diameter with a 3,000 pounds. On the base is mounted a 300 pound bronze tablet. Text reads as follows,
C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
EWELL’S CORPS RODES’ DIVISION
ONEAL’S BRIGADE
3rd 5th 6th 12th 26th Alabama Infantry
July 3. After taking part in the battle of the First and Second Days elsewhere on the field the Brigade leaving the 5th Regiment on guard marched at 2 A. M. from its position in town to Culp’s Hill to reinforce Johnson’s Division. Arrived at daybreak and was soon under fire but not actively engaged until 8 A. M. when it advanced against breastworks on the eastern slope of the main summit of the Hill gaining there a position near the Union works and holding it under a terrific fire for three hours until withdrawn by Gen. Johnson with his entire line to the base of the hill near the creek. From thence it moved during the night to Seminary Ridge west of the town and rejoined Rodes’ Division.
July 4. Occupied Seminary Ridge. Late at night began the march to Hagerstown.
Present 1650 Killed 73 Wounded 430 Missing 193 Total 696
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. Edward Asbury O’Neal (September 20, 1818 – November 20, 1890) was a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War and the 26th Governor of Alabama. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Col. E. A. O’Neal (will open a pop up window).
Regiments
3rd Alabama Infantry
Commander: Col. Cullen A. Battle (1829-1905). Native of Hancock County, Georgia. Lawyer in Alabama. Rose to rank of general. Wounded at Cedar Creek. Post-war mayor of New Bern, North Carolina.
Strength: 350; 17 killed, 74 wounded, 0 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. Albert J. Wilcox, Company F
Supplemental Materials: None.
5th Alabama Infantry
Commander: Col. Josephus M. Hall (1828-1915). Native of Eutaw. Lawyer and judge. Post-war mayor of Marshall, Texas.
Strength: 317; 26 killed, 116 wounded, 67 missing.
Supplemental Materials: None.
6th Alabama Infantry
Commander: Col. James N. Lightfoot (1839-1885). Native of Early County, Georgia. Wounded at Seven Pines, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. Post-war farmer in Henry County, Alabama.
Strength: 382; 15 killed, 62 wounded, 88 missing.
Supplemental Materials: None.
12th Alabama Infantry
Commander: Col. Samuel B. Pickens (?-?). Native of Pendelton, South Carolina. Wounded at South Mountain and again in September 1864.
Strength: 317; 17 killed, 66 wounded, 0 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. Jefferson Bridges, Company B
- Capt. James T. Davis, Company D
- Lt. J.M. Fletcher, Company G
Supplemental Materials: None.
26th Alabama Infantry
Commander: Lt. Col. John C. Goodgame (1835-1876). Native of Fayetteville and teacher. Sheriff and tax collector in Texas where he was murdered in 1876.
Strength: 319; 8 killed, 57 wounded, 65 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. W.L. Branyon, Company K
- Lt. John Fowler, Company C
Supplemental Materials: None.
Ewell’s Corps, ANV at Gettysburg
EWELL’S CORPS – Early’s Division – Gordon’s Brigade – Hays’ Brigade – Hoke’s Brigade – Smith’s Brigade – Jones’ Battalion – Johnson’s Division – Jones’ Brigade – Nicholls’ Brigade – Steuart’s Brigade – Walker’s Brigade – Latimer’s Battalion – Rodes’ Division – Daniel’s Brigade – Doles’ Brigade – Iverson’s Brigade – O’Neal’s Brigade – Ramseur’s Brigade – Carter’s Battalion – Artillery Reserve – Dance’s Battalion – Nelson’s Battalion
Alabama at Gettysburg
INFANTRY – 3rd Infantry – 4th Infantry – 5th Infantry – 5th Battalion – 6th Infantry – 8th Infantry – 9th Infantry – 10th Infantry – 11th Infantry – 12th Infantry – 13th Infantry – 14th Infantry – 15th Infantry – 26th Infantry – 44th Infantry – 47th Infantry – 48th Infantry :: ARTILLERY – Jeff Davis – Hardaway
