Draw the Sword

McCandless’ Brigade

Location: Ayres Avenue, the Wheatfield

Order of Battle: 5th Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade

Commander: Colonel William McCandless (September 29, 1834 – June 17, 1884) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, commanding a regiment and then a brigade in the Pennsylvania Reserve Division.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIFTH CORPS THIRD DIVISION
FIRST BRIGADE
Col. William McCandless
30th 31st 42D Pennsylvania Infantry
(1st (9 Cos.) 2D 6th 13th Reserves)

July 2. Moved with the Division from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek late in the day to Little Round Top north of the Wheatfield Road. After sunset formed line to cover the retiring of First and Second Brigades Second Division and supported by Third Brigade Third Division Sixth Corps charged the advancing Confederates and forced them down the Hill and across into the Wheatfield. The Brigade remained at a stone wall in rear of the Wheatfield. Col. C. F Taylor commanding 13th Penna. Reserves fell in the advance.

July 3. Advanced through the Wheatfield into the woods beyond supported by Third Brigade Third Division Sixth Corps and changing front swept southward through the woods west and south of the Wheatfield encountering a portion of Brig. Gen. Benning’s Brigade and capturing about 200 prisoners and the colors of 15th Georgia. The Confederates retired to the crest of the ridge from which they advanced the previous clay. In this movement one 10 pounder Parrott was recovered and about 3,000 small arms were captured from the field.

Casualties Killed 2 Officers 18 Men Wounded 14 Officers 118 Men Captured or Missing 3 Men Total 155

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

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