Archer’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, Hill’s Corps

Jenny — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:12:08 +0000

Archer’s Brigade served as a member of Heth’s Division the Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The brigade is honored by two monuments at Gettysburg, one to the July 2 and 3 position and one to the position on July 1.

About the Main Monument

When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1910. The last monument was completed on December 19, 1910.

What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Polished smooth red Maine granite. Plaque: Bronze.

What size is it? 3.8 feet x 3.4 feet diameter base. Height 5’4″. Tablet measures 4 feet by 3 feet 8 inches and weighs 300 pounds. Overall weight is 3000 pounds.

Who made it? Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Erected by the United States War Department.

What does it depict? Monolith consisting of polished smooth red Maine granite pedestal with a circular base. On each pedestal is mounted a bronze inscription tablet describing the movements and actions of the unit.

What does it honor? One of 64 Confederate brigade monuments. Designed by E. B. Cope and erected by the U.S. War Department. They indicate the general location of the centers of the various Confederate brigades and artillery battalions during several phases of the battle. Some of the tablets were made from melted down Civil War cannon. The tablets describe the itinerary and movements of each brigade.

How is it inscribed? The monument reads,

C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
HILL’S CORPS HETH’S DIVISION
ARCHER’S BRIGADE
5th Battalion and 13th Alabama 1st 7th 14th Tennessee Infantry

July 1. Reached the field in the morning. The Battalion was ordered to watch Cavalry on the right. The four regiments advancing to Reynolds Woods were met and flanked by the 1st Brigade 1st Division First Corps and fell back across the Run losing 75 prisoners including Brig. Gen. Archer.

July 2. In the evening marched from the woods west of Willoughby Run and took position here.

July 3. In Longstreet’s assault was the right Brigade of Pettigrew’s Division. Advanced to the stone wall at the Angle and some of the men leaped over it. Had 13 color bearers shot four of them at the wall. Lost 4 of 5 flags and 5 of the 7 field officers with company officers and men in nearly the same proportion.

July 4. After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.

Present 1048 Killed and wounded 160 Missing 517 Total 677

When was this photograph taken? April 15, 2011.

Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on West side of West Confederate Avenue, South of McMillan Woods.

Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.

Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been materially altered or moved.

Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views

Secondary Monuments and Markers

Monument Title: Second Brigade Tablet.

Photographed: April 15, 2011.

Location: West side of Meredith Avenue, Reynolds Woods. This monument is marked on the map above by a RED pushpin.

Description: There are 64 of these bronze inscription tablets, mounted on cylindrical polished granite pedestals, to Confederate brigades. They indicate the general location of the centers of the various Confederate brigades and artillery battalions during several phases of the battle. Designed by E. B. Cope. Some of the tablets were made from melted down Civil War cannon. The tablets are 3.8 feet x 3.4 feet in dimension and rest on bases that are 6.4 feet in circumference. The overall height of these markers is 5.4 feet, and they rest on either rubble or concrete foundations. The monument consists of red circular Maine granite bases 34 1/2 inches diameter with a 3,000 pounds. On the base is mounted a 300 pound bronze tablet.

Inscription: Text is as follows:

C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
HILLS CORPS HETH’S DIVISION
ARCHER’S BRIGADE
5th Battalion and 13th Alabama 1st 7th 14th Tennessee Infantry

July 1. The Brigade moved from Cashtown early in the morning towards Gettysburg. After a march of six miles came in view of the Union forces. The Brigade was deployed on the west side of Willoughby Run and about 10 A. M. advanced encountered 1st Brigade First Division beyond the run. The firing continued for a short time when a large force appearing on the right flank and opening a cross fire the position became untenable the Brigade was forced back across the run but advanced with the Division later in the day. The advance in the morning reached this position.

July 2. Not engaged.

July 3. Formed part of the column of Longstreet’s assault.

July 4. The Brigade took up the line of march during the night to Hagerstown.

At Gettysburg

Commander: Brig. Gen. James Jay Archer (December 19, 1817 – October 24, 1864) was a lawyer and an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican-American War, and he later served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Gettysburg, Archer was the first general officer captured from Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. More about this officer.

After Action Report: After Action Report of Lieut. Col. S. G. Shepard (1830-1917) (will open a pop up window).

Regiments

13th Alabama Infantry

Commander: Col. Birkett D. Fry (1822-1891). Native of Kanawha County, Virginia. Member of famous USMA class of 1846 but did not graduate having failed math. Rose to rank of general.

Strength: 308; 11 killed, 46 wounded, 157 missing.

Officers Killed at Gettysburg:

Lt. Hardy V. Gibson, Company B