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Kershaw’s Brigade

Location: West Confederate Avenue, south of Millerstown Road

Order of Battle: Kershaw’s Brigade, McLaws’ Division, Longstreet’s Corps

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.

Monument Specifications: Polished granite circular base with bronze plaque affixed to front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1910-1911.

Main Inscription: 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

Other Monuments and Memorials: There are two. Iron Advanced Position Marker. Brooke Avenue, Rose Grove, erected 1907. 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. There is a brigade monument located on the Emmitsburg Road across from the Rose Farm. Rough hewn stone monument with bronze plaque affixed to the front. It was erected in 1970 and dedicated on November 21, 1970. 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.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report (will open a pop up window).