Commander: Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 – November 6, 1872) was a career United States Army officer and civil engineer involved in coastal construction, including several lighthouses. He fought with distinction in the Seminole War and Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War he served as a Union general, rising from command of a brigade to the Army of the Potomac. He is best known for defeating Confederate General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. In 1864–65, Meade continued to command the Army of the Potomac through the Overland Campaign, the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, and the Appomattox Campaign, but he was overshadowed by the direct supervision of the general in chief, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

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
Major General George G. Meade
Commanding

The Army consisted of Eight Corps

First Corps Major General John F Reynolds
Major General Abner Doubleday
Major General John Newton

Second Corps Major Winfield S. Hancock
Brigadier General John Gibbon

Third Corps Major Daniel E. Sickles
Major General David B. Birney

Fifth Corps Major General George Sykes

Sixth Corps Major General John Sedgwick

Eleventh Corps Major General Oliver C. Howard
Major General Henry W. Slocum

Twelfth Corps Brigadier General Alpheus S. Williams

Cavalry Corps Major General Alfred Pleasonton

Reserve Artillery Brigadier General Robert O. Tyler

July 1. The First and Eleventh Corps arrived, and were engaged north, and, west of Gettysburg,and fell back to Cemetery Hill in rear ofthe town. The Twelfth Corps and a large part of the Third Corps arrived at the close of the day.

July 2 . The remainder of the Third Corp and the Fifth and Second Corps arrived in the morning. The Sixth Corps late afternoon. The Third Corps having advanced was attacked by Longstreet’s Confederate Corps and Anderson’s Division of Hill’s Corps. The Fifth Corps, and the First Division of the Second Corps going to the support of the Third Corps an engagement ensued until nightfall when the Union forces had been driven back from their advanced position and the Confederates repulsed.

July 3. The Twelfth Corps having by order vacated a large part of its line on Culps Hill, on the night of the 2D and Johnson’s Division of Ewell’s Corps having occupied the works. The Twelfth Corps in the morning attacked and regained the lines it had previously vacated. Hill’s Corps and Pickett’s Division of Longstreets Corps in the afternoon attacked the line of the Second Corps and were repulsed with great Loss. Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry in the afternoon attacked the Second Cavalry Division and the Second Brigade Third Cavalry Division and was repulsed.

Other Monuments and Memorials: There are two. Right flank marker, an iron sign, is located on Neill Avenue, Wolf Hill. There is also a headquarters marker for General Meade near the Leister Farm. Erected by the Gettysburg National Parks Commission and were completed in June 1913, it consists of a bronze cannon mounted on a concrete base.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade (will open a pop up window).

Order of Battle: Davis’ Brigade, Heth’s Division, Hill’s Corps

Raised: Lafayette, Coahoma, Chickasaw, Neshoba, Lowndes, Noxubee, Monroe, and Carroll counties.

Monument Specifications: The sculpture depicts a colour bearer, stepping out on the march toward the stone wall.

Dedication Date: May 27, 2000.

Sculptor/Artist/Company: Bill Beckwith

Main Inscription: The 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, under the command of Col. Francis M. Green and Maj. Reuben O. Reynolds, formed west of the tree line on Seminary Ridge behind Maj. William Pegram’s Battalion of Artillery and immediately south of McMillan’s Woods on July 3, 1863. Shortly after 3:00 p.m., Color Sgt. William O’Brien of Company C, memorialized on this monument, raised the colors and the regiment stepped forward. Although clusters of men reached the stone wall near Brian’s Barn, the attack was driven back with heavy loss, and the remnants of the regiment reformed in this vicinity.

Other Monuments and Memorials: There is a secondary marker near the Bryan Barn on Cemetery Ridge off of Hancock Avenue that denotes the regiment’s furthest advance in the July 3, 1863 assault. The side of the memorial facing the stonewall and Hancock Avenue has a bronze version of the regiment’s battle flag. The side facing Seminary Ridge contains a plaque with inscription. The inscription reads in part: July 3, 1863. The 11th Mississippi Infantry regiment, with its ranks growing thinner at every step, advanced with the colors to the stone wall near the Brian Barn.

Location: North Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commander: Colonel Thomas Alfred Smyth (December 25, 1832 – April 9, 1865) was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was the last Union general killed in the war.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS THIRD DIVISION
SECOND BRIGADE
Col. Thomas A. Smyth
Lieut. Col. Francis E. Pierce
14th Connecticut 1st Delaware
12th New Jersey 1Oth 108th New York Infantry

July 2. Took position early in the morning along a stone fence on Cemetery Ridge at the left of Ziegler’s Grove supporting Battery I 1st U. S. on the right. Sharp skirmishing during the day and artillery firing at intervals in the afternoon. At night the line of the Brigade was extended to the Angle to cover the portion previously occupied by the Third Brigade.

July 3. In the afternoon the Bliss Barn having been occupied by the Confederate sharpshooters the 14th Conn. by order of Brig. Gen. A. Hays recaptured and burned the barn. At 1 P. M. a terrific cannonade was opened by the Confederates in front which continued for two hours followed by a charge of the Divisions of Major Gen. Pickett Brig. Gen. Pettigrew and Major Gen. Pender which was repulsed by the Brigade reinforced by the Third Brigade. More than 1200 prisoners and 9 stand of colors were captured by the Brigade.

July 4. The Brigade remained in position until the close of the battle with sharp skirmishing during the day.

Casualties Killed 6 Officers 55 Men Wounded 34 Officers 245 Men Captured or Missing 1 Officer 25 Men Total 366

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Col. Thomas A. Smyth (will open a pop up window).

Location: Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade

Commander: Brig. Gen. William Harrow (November 14, 1822 – September 27, 1872) was an Indiana lawyer and a controversial Union general in the American Civil War.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS SECOND DIVISION
FIRST BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. William Harrow
Col. Francis E. Heath
19th Maine 15th Massachusetts
1st Minnesota 82D New York Infantry

July 2. Early in the morning took position in the rear of Second and Third Brigades. The 15th Mass. and 82D New York were advanced to the Emmitsburg Road on the right of Cordori House to support Third Corps the other two regiments were moved to the left on a line with the Third Brigade. The Third Corps having been forced back the advanced regiments were compelled to retire to the main line by Brig. Gen. Wright’s Brigade which captured several pieces of artillery but supports coming quickly to the Union line they forced the Confederates back across the Emmitsburg Road with heavy loss and retook the captured artillery Col. C. H. Ward 15th Mass. and Col. J. J. Huston 82D New York were mortally wounded.

July 3. At 1 P. M. a terrific cannonade was opened along the Confederate line in front which continued for about two hours followed by a charge of over 15,000 infantry its right striking Second and Third Brigades. This Brigade moved at once to the right and assisted the other two Brigades in repelling the assault and capturing a large number of prisoners and several flags.

Casualties Killed 10 Officers 137 Men Wounded 46 Officers 527 Men Captured or Missing 1 Officer 47 Men Total 768

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

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

Location: Hancock Avenue, south of the Angle

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade

Commander: Colonel Norman Jonathan Hall (1842 – May 26, 1867) was an officer in the United States Army during the American Civil War, perhaps most noted for his defense of his sector of the Union line during Pickett’s Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SECOND CORPS SECOND DIVISION
THIRD BRIGADE
Col. Norman J. Hall
19th 20th Massachusetts 7th Michigan
42D 59th (4 Cos.) New York Infantry

July 2. Took position on the line at the left of Second Brigade and of the copse of trees. The 19th Mass. and 42D New York were late in the day advanced to support Second Division Third Corps but retired on Second Division being forced back. The Brigade was attacked by Brig. Gen. Wright’s Brigade which overrun Battery A 1st Rhode Island then in advance but was repulsed with heavy loss and forced beyond the Emmitsburg Road.

July 3. Remained in position. At 3 P. M. Longstreet’s assault was made after a cannonade of two hours. The Brigade and the Second Brigade received the charge of Major Gen. Pickett’s Division which was repulsed with great loss in killed wounded prisoners and flags. In this engagement the First Brigade and the other troops were rushed to support of the two Brigades engaged and contributed to the victory. The Brigade remained in its position until the close of the battle.

Casualties Killed 6 Officers 75 Men Wounded 29 Officers 253 Men Captured or Missing 14 Men Total 377

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Col. Norman J. Hall (will open a pop up window).

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

Number Engaged: 722; 19 killed, 67 wounded, 21 missing

Commander: Col. William T. Nichols

Raised: Addison, Rutland, and Bennington counties.

Monument Specifications: Monuments marks the position held by the 14th Vermont Volunteers prior to its advance on July 3, 1863 to enfilade Wilcox and Perry as they advanced in support of Pickett.

Dedication Date: Oct. 19, 1899.

Sculptor/Artist/Company: Estabrook Granite Works, fabricator.

Main Inscription: 14TH VERMONT/VOLUNTEERS/COL. W. T. NICHOLS/STANNARD’S BRIGADE/JULY 2D & 3D 1863/19 KILLED 76 WOUNDED

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

Organized at Brattleboro October 21, 1862, for nine months. Moved to Washington, D.C., October 22-25. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division, Military District of Washington, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Casey’s Division, 22nd Army Corps, to April, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division, 22nd Army Corps, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to muster out.

SERVICE.–At Camp Chase, Arlington, Va., October 25-28 and at East Capital Hill to October 30. March to Munson’s Hill October 30 and to Hunting Creek November 5. At Camp Vermont, near Hunting Creek, November 5-26. Picket duty near Occoquan Creek November 26-December 5. At Camp Vermont until December 12. Duty near Fairfax Court House until January 20, 1863. Defence of Fairfax Court House from attack by Stuart’s Cavalry December 29, 1862. At Fairfax Station January 20-March 24, 1863. At Wolf Run Shoals, Union Mills and on the Occoquan March 24 to June 25. March to Gettysburg, Pa.. June 25-July 1. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 4-18. Moved to Brattleboro, Vt., July 18-21. Mustered out July 30, 1863. Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 26 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 43 Enlisted men by disease. Total 70.

Claim to Fame: Chairman of the Gettysburg National Park Commission 1893 – 1922. Under his auspices, many of the monuments, including the markers that denote the location of each brigade, division, and corps, as well as the location of the field hospitals, were completed and placed. Nicholson also fought at Gettysburg as a member of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Monument Specifications: Granite monument with bronze plaques.

Dedication Date: 1925.

Main Inscription: John Page Nicholson 1842 – 1922 / Private 28th Pennsylvania Infantry July 20, 1861. Regimental Commissary Sergeant July 21, 1861. Discharged for promotion September 10, 1862. / First Lieutenant and Quartermaster 28th Pennsylvania Infantry September 10, 1862. Honorably mustered out July 18, 1865. / Brevetted Captain March 13, 186f. “For faithful and meritorious services during the war Major March 13, 1865. “For gallant and and meritorious services in the Savannah and North Carolina Campaign” Lieutenant Colonel March 13, 1865 “For gallant and meritorious services during the war.” / Recorder of Pennsylvania Commandery Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States / 1879-1922. / Recorder-in-Chief Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1885-1922. / Chairman of the Gettysburg National Park Commission 1893 – 1922

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Order of Battle: 2nd Corps, 3rd Division

Commander: Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays (July 8, 1819 – May 5, 1864) was a Union Army general in the American Civil War, killed in the Battle of the Wilderness.

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
THIRD DIVISION
Brig. General Alexander Hays

First Brigade Col. S. S. Carroll
Second Brigade Col. Thos. A Smyth
Lieut. Col. Francis E. Pierce
Third Brigade Col. Geo. L. Willard
Col. Eliakim Sherrill
Lieut. Col. Jas. M. Bull

July 2. About 8 A. M. took position on Cemetery Ridge relieving Second Division First Corps and at noon advanced to the stone wall in front. Late in the day the Third Brigade went to the support of the Third Corps on the left and became engaged with Barksdale’s Mississippi Brigade capturing many prisoners. At dark Col. Carroll with the 4th Ohio 7th West Virginia and 14th Indiana of First Brigade went to support of Eleventh Corps on East Cemetery Hill and remained until the close of the battle.

July 3. The Bliss Barn in front occupied by sharpshooters was burned by order of Gen. A. Hays. At 1 P. M. a heavy artillery fire from the Confederate line was concentrated on the positions of Second and Third Divisions of the Corps for two hours followed by a charge of more than 15,000 infantry which was repulsed with loss the Division capturing about 1500 prisoners and 15 stand of colors. The muskets found on the field after the charge numbered about 3500.

July 4. Sharp skirmishing in front all day.

Casualties Killed 20 Officers 218 Men Wounded 75 Officers 912 Men Captured or Missing 1 Officer 65 Men Total 1291

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

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

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).

Location: Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge

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

Commander: Brig. Gen. George Jerrison Stannard (October 20, 1820 – June 1, 1886) was a Vermont farmer, teacher, and Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he served as Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives.

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

Dedication Date: ca. 1912.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIRST CORPS THIRD DIVISION
THIRD BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard
Col. Francis V. Randall
12th 13th 14th 15th 16th Vermont Infantry
The 12th and 15th were guarding Corps Trains

July 1. Arrived at dusk and took position on right of Third Corps.

July 2. Joined the Corps and went into position at the left and rear of the Cemetery. Just before dusk a detachment advanced to the Emmitsburg Road and captured about 80 prisoners and recovered 4 abandoned Union guns.

July 3. In position on left of Second Division Second Corps at the time of Longstreet’s assault. The 13th and 16th advanced against Major Gen. Pickett’s Division changed front forward and attacked its right throwing it into contusion and capturing many prisoners. The 16th and part of 14th then went to the left and attacked the advancing Brigades of Brig Gen. Wilcox and Perry (Col. Lang) and captured three flags and many prisoners.

Casualties Killed 1 Officer 44 Men Wounded 12 Officers 262 men Captured or Missing 32 Men Total 351

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard (will open a pop up window).