The First Corps was also known as Longstreet’s Corps. The Corps has a monument and an iron position tablet.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected December 1906.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? Rough-hewn monolith, seven feet tall.
Who made it? Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Erected by the United States War Department.
What does it depict? A rectangular granite monument, with a large bronze tablets thereon, describing the engagements and movements of each army corps. Rock-faced granite monolith, 4’2?x2?, 7? high, with bronze narrative tablet mounted on obverse polished face.
What does it honor? One of the Confederate army corps monuments, denoting the service of the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
How is it inscribed? The monument 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 The Division was withdrawn to the first position of Union troops resting at the Peach Orchard the conflict to be renewed in the morning when other orders were received.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
When was this photograph taken? May 29, 2009.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located west side of West Confederate Avenue, South of intersection with the Millerstown Road.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Tablet to Pickett’s and McLaws’ Division at Black Horse Tavern
Photographed: September 19, 2009.
Location: Black Horse Tavern on the Fairfield Road. Located West of Gettysburg, on North side of Fairfield Road at Black Horse Tavern. This monument is denoted on the map above by a BLUE pushpin.
Description: Marks position of McLaw’s and Pickett’s Division on July 1 & 2. Cast iron tablet with raised inscription painted in contrasting color, mounted on fluted cast iron post. 4’4″ high; tablet 3.8 x 3.4 feet; inscription narrates events associated with Division during Battle. Cast by C. Gilbert.
Inscription: Reads,
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.
At Gettysburg
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.” More about this officer.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet (will open a pop up window).
Longstreet’s Corps, ANV at Gettysburg
LONGSTREET’S CORPS – Hood’s Division – Anderson’s Brigade – Benning’s Brigade – Law’s Brigade – Robertson’s Brigade – Henry’s Battalion – McLaws’ Division – Barksdale’s Brigade – Kershaw’s Brigade – Semmes’ Brigade – Wofford’s Brigade – Cabell’s Battalion – Pickett’s Division – Armistead’s Brigade – Garnett’s Brigade – Kemper’s Brigade – Dearing’s Battalion – Artillery Reserve – Alexander’s Battalion – Eshelman’s Battalion
