Draw the Sword

Location: West Confederate Avenue, south of Millerstown Road

Order of Battle: Longstreet’s Corps, Army of Northern Viriginia

Commander: Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his “Old War Horse.” He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the Eastern Theater, but also with Gen. Braxton Bragg in the Army of Tennessee in the Western Theater. Biographer and historian Jeffry D. Wert wrote that “Longstreet … was the finest corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia; in fact, he was arguably the best corps commander in the conflict on either side.”

Monument Specifications: Polished granite rectangular monument with rough hewn sides. Bronze plaque affixed to front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1910.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
FIRST ARMY CORPS
McLAWS’ DIVISION
Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws

Kershaw’s Brigade Brig. Gen. J. B. Kershaw
Barksdale’s Brigade Brig. Gen. William Barksdale
Col. B. G. Humphreys
Semmes’ Brigade Brig. Gen. R J. Semmes
Col. George Bryan
Wofford’s Brigade Brig Gen. W. T Wofford
Artillery Battalion
Four Batteries Col. H. C. Cabell

July 1. The Division reached Marsh Creek four miles from Gettysburg after dark.

July 2. The Division was placed in position facing the Union line on the Emmitsburg Road. About 4 P. M. the batteries opened on the position the Division pressing to the front and the Union troops retiring to the hill in rear. The battle continued until nearly night when a strong Union force met the supporting Division which was cooperating on the left and drove one brigade back and checked the support of the other brigade exposing the left. It was thought prudent not to push further until other troops of the Corps came up. The Division was withdrawn to the first position of Union troops resting at the Peach Orchard the conflict to be renewed in the morning when other orders were received.

July 3. With the exception of severe skirmishing the Division was not engaged and after night disposition were made to withdraw.

July 4. The Division took up the line of march during the night.

Casualties Killed 313 Wounded 1538 Captured or Missing 327 Total 2178

Other Monuments and Memorials: Iron position tablet, erected by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission, Fairfield Road at Black Horse Tavern. Text is as follows:

Army of Northern Virginia
Longstreet’s Corps
McLaws’s and Pickett’s Divisions

July 1 McLaws’s Division arrived late in the day and camped in this vicinity.

July 2 In the morning McLaws’s Division moved on the road towards Gettysburg but turning to the right half mile this side of Willoughby Run and crossing that stream lower down formed line as marked on the Battlefield. Pickett’s Division marched by this place in the afternoon but followed the other road with some deflections to avoid being seen by the Union Signal Corps and crossing Willoughby Run lay that night in the west side of Spangler’s Woods.

Headquarters of General James Longstreet. Erected by the Gettysburg National Parks Commission and completed in 1920-1921; consists of bronze cannon mounted on a granite base.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet (will open a pop up window).