Draw the Sword

Smith’s Brigade

Location: Taneytown Road, opposite National Cemetery

Order of Battle: 11th Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commander: Colonel Orland Smith (May 2, 1825 – October 3, 1903) was a railroad executive and a brigade commander in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In 1864, he led a spirited bayonet charge during the Battle of Wauhatchie that took a significant Confederate position on a hill that now bears his name.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
ELEVENTH CORPS SECOND DIVISION
SECOND BRIGADE
Col. Orland Smith
33D Massachusetts 136th NewYork
55th 73D Ohio Infantry

July 1. Arrived at 2 P. M. and went into position on Cemetery Hill in line behind stone walls along Emmitsburg and Taneytown Roads facing northwest and supporting Battery I 1st New York. The 33D Mass. was detached during the battle and placed on the right of the Corps under the command of Brig. Gen. A. Ames. The 136th New York was on the extreme left of the Corps connecting on its right with the 55th and 73D Ohio.

July 2. Sharpshooting was kept up all day by the Union troops from stone walls and by the Confederates from houses in the town with considerable loss.

July 3. Sharp skirmishing continued with artillery firing from Confederate batteries east of the town.

Casualties Killed 51 Men Wounded 5 Officers 273 Men Captured or Missing 2 Officers 17 Men Total 348

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Col. Orland Smith (will open a pop up window).