The Kershaw’s Brigade served as a member of McLaws’ Division in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The brigade is honored by a War Department monument, a privately raised 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.
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
KERSHAW’S BRIGADE
2nd 3rd 7th 8th 15th Regiments and 3D Battalion South Carolina
Infantry
July 2. Arrived at 3.30 P. M. and formed line here. Advanced about 4.30 to battle. The 8th and 2D Regiments and 3D Battalion shared in the attack on Peach Orchard and batteries near there on Wheatfield Road. The 7th and 3D Regiments were engaged in the long and severe conflict at and around the Loop. The 15th Regiment fought on Rose Hill and in the ravine and forest beyond. Late in the evening the Brigade took part in the general advance by which the Union forces were forced from the Wheatfield and across Plum Run Valley. At dark under orders it retired to Peach Orchard.
July 3. At Peach Orchard until noon then sent farther to front. At 1 P. M. under orders resumed position here extending line to right and keeping in touch with Hood’s Division on left.
July 4. About midnight began the march to Hagerstown Md.
Present about 1800 Losses 630
When was this photograph taken? September 25, 2010.
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: Brooke Avenue, Rose Grove. Located on West side of Brooke Ave near Rose farmhouse and Woods. This monument is marked on the map above by a BLUE pushpin.
Description: Iron tablet denotes advanced position of the brigade during the battle. Erected in 1907. Painted inscription tablet, 3’8″x3’4″. Mounted on fluted post, 4’4″ high. Location is at an informal pull-off, which has contributed to severe erosion around the tablet. This marker reads as follows,
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
LONGSTREET’S CORPS McLAWS’ DIVISION
KERSHAW’S BRIGADE
2nd 3rd 7th 8th 15th Regiments and 3D Battalion South Carolina
Infantry
July 2. Arrived on the field at 3.30 P. M. Formed line and advanced about 4.30 o’clock. The 8th and 2D Regiments and 3D Battalion shared in the attack on the Peach Orchard and batteries near there on Wheatfield Road. The 7th and 3D Regiments were engaged at and around the Loop. The 15th Regiment fought on Rose Hill and in the ravine and forest beyond. Late in the evening the Brigade took part in the advance by which the Union forces were forced from the Wheatfield and across Plum Run Valley. At dark under orders the Brigade retired to and occupied the Peach Orchard.
Monument Title: Secondary Monument
Photographed: May 31, 2009.
Location: Emmitsburg Road. Located on west side of Emmitsburg Road, north of junction with the Rose Farm Lane. This monument is marked on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Rough hewn stone monument with bronze plaque affixed to the front. It was erected in 1970 and dedicated on November 21, 1970. Polished & rough hewn monolith, 40″ wide, 9″ thick, 48″ high. Bronze inscription tablet, 28″x30″, affixed to to east face of marker.
Inscription: It reads, Kershaw’s Brigade / Brigadier General Joseph B. Kershaw’s / South Carolina Brigade of McLaws’ Division / ordered on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 / to attack the Union battle line north and / east of the Rose Farm 100 yards eastward / crossed the Emmitsburg Road in this area / by nightfall their attack joined with / those of other Confederate brigades had / forced the Union troops from the Peach / Orchard and Wheatfield. Late on July 3 the / Brigade withdrew and went into position / in the woods a quarter mile west. / Erected by / “Project Southland” / in cooperation with the / Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association / 1970.
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. Joseph Brevard Kershaw (January 5, 1822 – April 13, 1894) was a lawyer, judge, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report (will open a pop up window).
Regiments
2nd South Carolina Infantry
Commander: Col. John D. Kennedy (1840-1896). Native of Camden; lawyer. Wounded at Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. Elected to Congress in 1865 but not seated. Consul general to China during the Grover Cleveland administration.
Strength: 412; 53 killed, 100 wounded, 17 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. George C. Brasington, Company H
- Capt. Joseph P. Cunningham, Company G
- Lt. William L. Daniel, Company I
- Lt. Edward De Saussure, Company K
- Lt. M.R. Hinson, Company H
- Capt. George M. McDowall, Company F
- Capt. Jacob F. Moorer, Company K
- Capt. Robert C. Pulliam, Company B
- Lt. James T. Scott, Company C
Supplemental Materials: None.
3rd South Carolina Infantry
Commander: Lt. Col. David M.H. Langston (?-1863). Native of Tylersville. Wounded severely at Savage’s Station and killed on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg.
Strength: 406; 22 killed, 59 wounded, 6 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. William Bearden, Company K
- Lt. Milton P. Buzhardt, Company B, aged 26
- Lt. R. Henry Haltiwanger, Company E
- Lt. Pickens B. Langford, Company B, aged 21
- Capt. D.M.H. Langston, Company I
- Lt. William R. Thomas, Company K
- Lt. John H. Walker, Company D, aged 24
- Capt. William H. Young, Company K, aged 30
Supplemental Materials: None.
7th South Carolina Infantry
Commander: Col. David W. Aiken (1828-1887). Native of Winnsboro. Wounded at Sharpsburg. Resigned due to disability in January 1864. Member of Congress 1877-1887.
Strength: 408; 29 killed, 79 wounded, 7 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. S.W. Callahan, Company B, aged 32
- Lt. James M. Daniel, Company E
- Lt. William C.C. Hodges, Company B, aged 28
- Lt. William A. Rutland, Company E
- Lt. Albert J. Trayor, Company C, aged 25
- Lt. P.E. Walker, Company A, aged 27
Supplemental Materials: None.
8th South Carolina Infantry
Commander: Col. John W. Henagan (1822-1865). Native of Marlboro District. Sherriff in Marlboro. Wounded at South Mountain. Captured at Third Winchester in 1864; died at Johnson’s Island Prison where he is buried. Maj D. M. McLeod (1822-1863) was the other field officer to command the 8th. Native of Hunt’s Bluff. Mortally wounded at Gettysburg, dying on July 5th in Cashtown.
Strength: 300; 31 killed, 74 wounded, 0 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. Harris R. Adams, Company G
- Capt. John K. McIver, Company F
- Maj. Donald M. McLeod, Field Officer, aged 41
- Lt. George M. Myers, Company H
- Capt. Thomas E. Powe, Company C
- Lt. Joshua M. Smoot, Company M
- Lt. Hyman Werthiem, Company E
Supplemental Materials: None.
15th South Carolina Infantry
Commander: Col. William D. de Saussure (1819-1863). Native of Columbia. Captain in antebellum U.S. Army. Killed at Gettysburg.
Strength: 448; 30 killed, 96 wounded, 18 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Col. William D. De Saussure, Field Officer, aged 43
- Lt. William D. Hart, Company F
- Lt. Joseph B. Martin, Company E
- Lt. W.P. Parr, Company H
- Lt. Joseph M. Porter, Company H
- Capt. Thomas J. Warren, Company D
Supplemental Materials: None.
3rd South Carolina Battalion
Commander: Lt. Col. William G. Rice (1831-?). Native of Union District. Still alive in 1889.
Strength: 203; 14 killed, 31 wounded, 3 missing.
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- Lt. Adolphus A. Fuller, Company B
- Lt. Green B.W. Montgomery, Company F
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
South Carolina at Gettysburg
SOUTH CAROLINA :: INFANTRY – 1st Infantry – 1st Rifles – 2nd Infantry – 3rd Infantry – 3rd Battalion – 7th Infantry – 8th Infantry – 12th Infantry – 13th Infantry – 14th Infantry – 15th Infantry :: CAVALRY – 1st Regiment – 2nd Regiment :: ARTILLERY – Brooks – German – Hart’s – Palmetto – Pee Dee
One Comment
My great great grandfather John Mcduffie Mooneyham fought with the SC 15th regiment. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. He enlisted at the start of the war and surrendered at Durham Station at the end of the war. He returned to SC after the war and became a sharecroper for a man named Dr. Ezra Gregg. he later aquired his own farm and married had 14 children. My great grandfather was the 13th.