Draw the Sword

Zook’s Brigade

Location: Sickles Avenue, east of the Loop

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade

Commander: Brig. Gen. Samuel Kosciuszko Zook (born Samuel Kurtz Zook, March 27, 1821 – July 3, 1863) was a Union general during the American Civil War, killed in action during the Battle of Gettysburg.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS FIRST DIVISION
THIRD BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. Samuel K. Zook
Lieut. Col. John Fraser
52D 57th 66th NewYork
140th Pennsylvania Infantry

July 2. Arrived early in the morning and formed on right of Second Brigade on line from Cemetery Hill to Round Top. Between 5 and 6 P. M. advanced with Division to left and entered the Wheatfield and the woods on its right in line of battle forcing the Confederates through the field and the woods to the further end. Brig. Gen. Zook fell mortally wounded in this advance the Brigade being on the right of Division it extended to an open field on the west. The line of Third Corps on the Emmitsburg Road having been forced back and the Division having been flanked by superior forces on its right and left the Brigade retired with the Division and resumed in line with Corps.

July 3. Constructed entrenchment and held the position until the close of battle.

Casualties Killed 7 Officers 42 Men Wounded 18 Officers 209 Men Captured or Missing 4 Officers 78 Men Total 358

Other Monuments and Memorials: There is a memorial stone to where General Zook was mortally wounded. Marble shaft with apex cap. Inscription is cut into north face of the monument. Monument consists of blue marble; Base; granite. It was dedicated on July 25, 1882. Dorr, H. A., fabricator. An inscription on the north side of the monument reads: TO THE MEMORY OF/SAMUEL KOSCIUSKO ZOOK. / BREVET MAJOR/GENERAL U.S. VOLS. / WHO FELL MORTALLY / WOUNDED AT OR NEAR / THIS SPOT, WHILE / GALLANTLY LEADING / HIS BRIGADE IN BATTLE / JULY 2ND 1863. ERECTED BY GEN. ZOOK / POST NO. 11 G.A.R. OF NORRISTOWN, PA. / JULY 25TH 1882.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Lieut. Col. John Fraser (will open a pop up window).