** ** Early’s Division, Ewell’s Corps
Posted to the Project on 04 Jul 09
Early’s Division were members of the Second Corps (Richard Ewell).
Location: East Confederate Avenue, north end
Monument Specifications: Rock hewn stone square monument with bronze descriptive plaque affixed to front.
Erected Date: 1909.
Inscription: The tablet reads as follows,
C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
SECOND ARMY CORPS
EARLY’S DIVISION
Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early
Hays’ Brigade Brig. Gen. Harry T. Hays
Smith’s Brigade Brig. Gen. William Smith
Hoke’s Brigade Col. Isaac E. Avery
Col. A. C. Godwin
Gordon’s Brigade Brig. John B. Gordon
Artillery Battalion
Four Batteries Col. H. R. Jones
July 1. The Division arrived about noon within two miles of Gettysburg by Harrisburg Road. Formed line across road north of Rock Creek. Gordon’s Brigade ordered to support of a brigade of Rodes’ Division engaged with a division of the Eleventh Corps which had advanced to a wooded hill in front of town. The remainder of the Division was ordered forward as Gordon’s Brigade was engaged. After a short and severe contest the Union troops were forced through the town losing many prisoners. Later in the day Gordon’s Brigade ordered to the York Road in support of Smith’s Brigade. Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades occupied the town.
July 2. In the early morning Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades took position to front and left of town. Gordon’s Brigade in reserve moved to the rear of the brigades. Smith’s Brigade remained in this position until nearly dusk when Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades advanced on Cemetery Hill. The brigades reached the crest of hill but not being supported on the right were forced to retire. Gordon’s Brigade advanced to support the attack.
July 3. At daylight Smith’s Brigade was ordered to support of Johnson’s Division on the left. Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades formed line in town holding the position of previous day. Gordon’s Brigade held the line of the day before. The Division not further engaged.
July 4. In the morning the Division was withdrawn to Cashtown Road to west of town.
Casualties Killed 156 Wounded 806 Missing 226 Total 1188
Other Monuments: Iron position tablet, erected 1909, West Confederate Avenue, near the Seminary. Text is as follows,
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
EWELL’S CORPS
RODES, EARLY’S, AND JOHNSON’S DIVISIONS
July 4 Having withdrawn under orders from its previous positions the Corps formed line about daybreak on this ridge with its right a short distance south of the Hagerstown Road its left near the Mummasburg Road and its center near here. Rodes was on the right Johnson on the left and Early on a supporting line in their rear. The breastwork of stone here and the old earthworks beyond the railroad are remains of defenses then thrown up and indicate the position of the front line.
July 5 The three Divisions left here at different hours but all were on the march to Hagerstown early in the morning of this day.
About the Commander: Maj. Gen. Jubal Anderson Early (November 3, 1816 – March 2, 1894). Biography on Wikipedia.