Pender’s Division served as a member of Hill’s Corps in the Army of Northern Virginia.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1907.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Rough hewn granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? Dimensions: 4.2 feet x 2.0 feet, with an overall height of 7.0 feet.
Who made it? Designed by E.B. Cope and erected by the U.S. War Department.
What does it depict? Monument is a rock-faced granite monolith with polished face on which is affixed a bronze narrative tablet.
What does it honor? One of ten Confederate division monuments that describe the movements and itenirary of each division of the Army of Northern Virginia. The locations of the markers indicate the general location of the battle lines of the various Confederate divisions during the battle. Marks the command position of Pender’s CS Division during Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863.
How is it inscribed? The monument reads,
C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
THIRD ARMY CORPS
PENDER’S DIVISION
Major Gen. William D. Pender Brig. Gen. James H. Lane
Major Gen. I. R. Trimble
First Brigade Col. Abner Perrin
Second Brigade Brig. James H. Lane
Third Brigade Brig. Gen. Edward L. Thomas
Fourth Brigade Brig. Gen. A. M. Scales
Lieut. Col. G. T Gordon
Col. W. Lee J. Lowrance
Artillery Battalion
Four Batteries Major William T Poague
July 1. The Division moved about 8 A. M. in the direction of Gettysburg following Heth’s division. A line of battle was formed on the right and left of the Pike 3 miles from the town. About 3 P. M. a part of Ewell’s Corps appeared on the left and the Union forces making a strong demonstration an advance was ordered. Heth became vigorously engaged. The Division moved to the support passing through the lines forced the Union troops to Seminary Ridge. The Division reformed on the Ridge the left resting on Fairfield Road.
July 2. In position on the ridge not engaged except heavy skirmishing along the line.
July 3. During the morning two Brigades ordered to report to Lieut. Gen. Longstreet as a support to Gen. Pettigrew and were placed in rear of right of Heth’s Division which formed a portion of the column of assault. The line moved forward one mile in view of the fortified position on Cemetery Ridge, exposed to severe fire. The extreme right reached the works but was compelled to fall back. The Division reformed where it rested before making the attack.
July 4. The Division during the night took up the line of march.
Casualties Killed 262 Wounded 1312 Missing 116 Total 1690
When was this photograph taken? June 4, 2010.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on West side of West Confederate Avenue, North of McMillan Woods.
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
At Gettysburg
Commander: Maj. Gen. William Dorsey Pender (February 6, 1834 – July 18, 1863) was one of the youngest, and most promising, generals fighting for the Confederacy in the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Maj. Joseph A. Engelhard (will open a pop up window).
Hill’s Corps, ANV at Gettysburg
HILL’S CORPS – Anderson’s Division – Mahone’s Brigade – Perry’s Brigade – Posey’s Brigade – Wilcox’s Brigade – Wright’s Brigade – Lane’s Battalion – Heth’s Division – Archer’s Brigade – Brockenbrough’s Brigade – Davis’ Brigade – Pettigrew’s Brigade – Garnett’s Battalion – Pender’s Division – Lane’s Brigade – Perrin’s Brigade – Scales’ Brigade – Thomas’ Brigade – Poague’s Battalion – Artillery Reserve – McIntosh’s Battalion – Pegram’s Battalion
One Comment
It goes to show what happens when a Great Commander like John Fulton Reynolds, falls in Battle. it is my opinion that General Reynolds was bent on defending his home state of Pennsylvania. After arriving and taking command of the battlefield, General Reynolds continued briefly to be briefed on the tremendous job Brigadier General Buford had done in the past 24 hrs.
On arriving at the Luthern seminary General Reynolds voice bellows to General
Buford on top of the steeple ” WHAT GOES JOHN ” General Buford, who has anxiously been awaiting his Commanders arival retorts, ” Their is a Devil to pay !! ” CAN YOU HOLD..? says his Commanding General. I reckon I can..says Buford. Immediatley General Buford climbs back down the stairs from the steeple he has climbed several times since 5:00 A.M. On July 1st. 1863.
After reporting the current conditions to Gen. Reynolds, The Commanding General has quickly and assuredly ascertained the conditions and at once orders his troops to be placed on line. He of course knows Heaths division is advancing from Herrs ridge to the Willougby run and attempting to further push back Gen. Buford’s dismounted calvary brigade. Instinctively, Maj.General John Reynolds { the 2nd overall Commander of the Army of the Potomic,} starts deploying troops to halt Heth’s advance. This is the point where history is changed forever. While still personally deploying the Wisconsin Iron Brigade into the Herbst Woods about a mile only from the seminary he goes to the edge of the woods and orders the Iron Brigade to advance. He orders, ” Get these fellows, out of the Woods.” referring to advance troops of Archers Brigade. He than says, Charge Iron Brigade. Charge!! for God sakes Charge!!!
At this point, Major General John Reynolds was struck behind his right ear by a Rebel Mini ball. He died instantly. I contend that this Rebel Bullet that killed General Reynolds was the greatest single death of the Civil War. Even more than the death of Stonewall Jackson. If Reynolds lives he very soon would have been the final Commander of the Army of the Potomoc. The War would of ended at least a year earlier. He was THAT Good!!!!! Certainly, at that point on day 1 of the battle of Gettysburg. He would of continue to crush Archer’s Brigade and Penders division would of suffered great losses. Even in death his quick thinking and orders to General Doubleday, and General Hancock secured the Heights Southeast of Gettysburg from Culps hill to the round tops. you should ask yourself, what really would of happened, if General Reynolds was not killed that fateful day?
Another good question is, What would of happened if General Thomas “stonewall”
is not killed at Chancelorville, and was there at Gettysburg. Most assuredly, he would of instantly known exactly General Robert E. Lee wanted when he sent the messenger to gen. Ewell. ” All I want now is to secure the heights South of town. Tell General Ewell to take that hill if practicable.” Obvious what he meant was DO IT!!!! Stonewall Jackson not only would have known this but would of done this and Culps Hill, and Cemetary hill would have been in the hands of the Army of Northern Virginia at the end of day 1 of the battle of Gettysburg.
This would of put tremendous pressure on general Mead and would of caused either huge and unacceptable Northern losses are a comlete re-deployment of the entire federal Army which certainly would of favored The South. the fate of nations and countless lives hung on the 2 words ” If Practicable ” There would of never been a pickets charge… In any event General Pender was doomed…
Gen. j. P. Welby