The 12th Corps, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade was also known as Ruger’s Brigade. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Williams’ Division in the Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1912.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Polished smooth sea-green granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? 36′ by 36′ base. Weight: 300 Pounds. Height 5’4″. Tablet measures 4 feet by 3 feet 8 inches.
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 sea-green granite pedestal with a square base. Base tapers to a smaller dimension at the tablet. On each pedestal is mounted a bronze inscription tablet describing the movements and actions of the unit.
What does it honor? One of 74 Union brigade monuments erected at Gettysburg by the United States War Department to describe the movements and itinerary of each Union brigade of the Army of the Potomac. The monuments were designed by E.B. Cope. Many of the inscription tablets were made of bronze melted down from Civil War cannons.
How is it inscribed? The monument reads,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
TWELFTH CORPS FIRST DIVISION
THIRD BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger
Col. Silas Colgrove
27th Indiana 2D Mass. 13th New Jersey
107th New York 3d Wisconsin Infantry
July 1. Arrived with the Division and bivouacked for the night east of rock Creek.
July 2. After sharp skirmishing in front crossed Rock Creek and went into position. The left on Culp’s Hill the right in McAllister’s Woods a swale between. Breastworks were constructed. At sunset went to support of the left of the Army and returned and found the works on left of swale occupied by Confederates. Those on the right were unoccupied and immediately repossessed.
July 3. The 2D Mass. and 27th Indiana in the morning charged across the open swale to get possession of a stone wall and woods on the left but were repulsed with great loss the 27th Indiana falling back in a direct line the 2D Mass. towards the left. A Confederate countercharge was made across the swale but receiving a front and enfilading fire it was quickly repulsed and the Confederate force left the works and retired across Rock Creek.
July 4. The Brigade with a battery and three regiments of First Brigade made a reconnaissance in front and around through the town the Confederate forces having withdrawn to Seminary Hill.
Casualties Killed 2 Officers 47 Men Wounded 20 Officers 205 Men Captured or Missing 5 Men Total 279
When was this photograph taken? November 14, 2009.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Colgrove Avenue, McAllister Woods.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
At Gettysburg
Commander: Brig. Gen. Thomas Howard Ruger (April 2, 1833 – June 3, 1907) was an American soldier and lawyer who served as a Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he was a superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Col. Archibald L. McDougall (will open a pop up window).
Twelfth Corps, AOP at Gettysburg
Twelfth Army Corps – Artillery Brigade – First Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Third Brigade – Second Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Third Brigade
