Draw the Sword

Location: Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 2nd Division

Commander: Brig. Gen. John Gibbon (April 20, 1827 – February 6, 1896) was a career United States Army officer who fought in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1910.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS
SECOND DIVISION
Brig. General John Gibbon Brig. General William Harrow

First Brigade Brig. Gen. Wm. Harrow
Col. Francis E. Heath
Second Brigade Brig. Gen. A. S. Webb
Third Brigade Col. N. J. Hall
One Co. Mass. Sharpshooters

July 2. Arrived between 6 and 7 A. M. and went into position on line between Cemetery Hill and Round Top. Third Division on right and First Division on left. Second Brigade constituting the right Third Brigade the left and First Brigade in reserve. Sharp skirmishing continued through the day and artillery fire at intervals until near sunset when the Third Corps having been driven back Wright’s Georgia Brigade furiously attacked the Division and was repulsed with loss including many prisoners the Twelfth Corps coming to the support of the left.

July 3. Artillery firing until 9 A. M. and sharp skirmishing during the day. At 1 P. M. Confederates concentrated the fire of over 100 guns on the Second and Third Divisions and after two hours of uninterrupted firing charged with a force of over 15,000 infantry which was repulsed with great loss of life prisoners and flags. The Division remained in position with no further engagement than skirmish firing.

Casualties including Division Staff and attached troops Killed 25 Officers 319 Men Wounded 105 Officers 1097 Men Captured or Missing 6 Officers 95 Men Total 1647

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon (will open a pop up window).