The 11th Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade was also known as Smith’s Brigade. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of von Steinwehr’s Division in the Eleventh 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
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
When was this photograph taken? February 8, 2009.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located west side of Taneytown Road, across from National Cemetery.
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: 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.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Col. Orland Smith (will open a pop up window).
Eleventh Corps, AOP at Gettysburg
Eleventh Army Corps – Artillery Brigade – First Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Second Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade – Third Division – First Brigade – Second Brigade
