The 1st Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Also known as Baxter’s Brigade. 

During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Robinson's Division of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac.

The plaque to the brigade reads:
"On July 1. Arrived about noon took position on right of Corps on Mummasburg Road. Repulsed an attack of Col. O’Neal’s Brigade then changed front and with the assistance of Second Brigade First Division captured 1000 prisoners and three stand of colors of Brig. Gen. Iverson’s Brigade. Afterwards relieved by First Brigade and retired to the Railroad Cut to support Battery B 4th U. S.
At 4 P. M. retired to Cemetery Hill and constructed breastworks. The 11th Penna. was transferred to the First Brigade.
July 2. About 10 A. M. relieved by Second Brigade Second Division Second Corps and placed in reserve. At 4 P. M. supported a battery of Eleventh Corps. At sunset moved to the support of Third Corps then returned to support of Eleventh Corps.
July 3. Moved to the rear of the cemetery early in the morning in support of Twelfth Corps. At 2 P. M. formed on right and rear of Third Division Second Corps and there remained until the close of the battle. The Brigade went into action with less than 1200 men.
Casualties Killed 7 Officers 3 Men Wounded 31 Officers 227 Men Captured or Missing 12 Officers 338 Men Total 648"

Baxter was wounded four times during the war.   Baxter’s brigade arrived around noon just as Confederate Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes’s division began to appear on Oak Hill. Baxter’s brigade deployed along the Mummasburg Road. A Confederate brigade under Colonel Alfred Iverson advanced without skirmishers and moved past Baxter’s men, who were hidden behind a stone wall. Suddenly, Baxter’s brigade rose up and delivered a lethal fire into the North Carolinians. In one of the most one-sided exchanges during the war, Baxter’s surprise attack killed, wounded and captured 758 of 1300 men in Confederate Iverson’s brigade. Baxter’s men eventually withdrew to the north end of Cemetery Ridge, having lost all of the officers on Baxter’s staff and close to half the brigade in defense of the I Corps right flank.

Brigadier General Henry Baxter

97th New York Infantry

97th New York Infantry Monument

Located on Doubleday Avenue. It indicates the position occupied by the 97th (also known as The New York Conkling Rifles) on the afternoon of July 1, 1863. They counterattacked Iverson’s Brigade and captured 213 members of the 20th North Carolina Infantry. They eventually retreated through the town of Gettysburg

Dedication Date: July 1, 1889.  (26th anniversary of the actions in commemorates)

Survivors of 97th NY at dedication of their monument.  Picture from www.oneidacountyhistory.org/backintime/GettysburgMonument.asp

Commander: Col. Charles Wheelock Wounded and captured on July 1. He escaped during Lee's retreat eventually rejoining his regiment

Number Engaged: 255

Casualties: 12 killed, 36 wounded, 78 missing

Raised: Herkimer, Lewis, and Oneida counties.

Organized at Boonville, N.Y., and mustered in February 18, 1862, mustered out July 18, 1865.

Major Battles or Events:  2^nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Overland Campaign, Petersburg, Appomattox and the Grand Review 

*The Grand Review wasn't a battle, but a final review of the army through Washington DC.

88th Pennsylvania Infantry

88th Pennsylvania Monument

Located on Oak Ridge, on Doubleday Avenue.The monument indicates the position in the brigade line held by the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry on the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

Dedication Date: September 11, 1889.

Original cost of the monument was  $3,000.00.  There are several items on the top of the monument that represent important items from the daily lives of the soldiers of the regiment.  They include: cannons;  a trumpet; a revolver;  a flag; a drum; a sword; a rifle; a kepi hat; a canteen;  and haversack with bedroll,  all topped with an eagle.

Close up of top of 88th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument

The 88th Pennsylvania Infantry was also known as The Cameron Light Guards.

Raised: Philadelphia and Berks County

Organized at Philadelphia September, 1861 Mustered out June 30, 1865. 

Commander: Maj. Benzet F. Foust  Wounded on July 1.

Major Battles or Events:  Cedar Mountain; Second Bull Run; Antietam; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; The Wilderness; Spotsylvania; Cold Harbor; Petersburg; Appomattox; Grand Review

Number Engaged: 296

Casualties: 4 killed, 55 wounded, 51 missing

Medal of Honor Awardee: Edward L. Gilligan. 

Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 1 July 1863.

 Date of issue: 30 April 1892. 

Citation: Assisted in the capture of a Confederate flag by knocking down the color sergeant.

Edward Gilligan MOH

Secondary Monuments and Markers

There are 3 additional or Secondary Markers to the 88th Pennsylvania.  I don't presently have pictures of them, but will tell you where they are, in the future I will do a post just of secondary markers.

Location: Forney Field, accessed via a trail from the monument along Doubleday Avenue. Marker is west of the Oak Ridge Tower parking area.  It represents the advanced position held by the regiment on July 1, 1863.

Location: South Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge. South of the Pennsylvania Monument.  It represents the position held by the regiment on the 2nd of July 1863

Location: Ziegler’s Grove, North Hancock Avenue, southwest of the old visitor center parking area.  It represents the position held by the regiment on July 3rd 1863.

12th Massachusetts Infantry

12th Massachusetts Monument

Located on Oak Ridge, Doubleday Avenue. It designates the place where the regiment was placed behind the stone wall on July 1.

Dedication Date: October 8, 1885.

Has a relief of Daniel Webster and a flag on the body of the sculpture with a cartridge box, bayonet and scabbard on the base.  The monument had a cost of $500.

Secondary Monuments and Markers

There are two secondary markers showing different positions taken by the 12th Massachusetts.  Where I have pictures I will post them.

Location: South Hancock Avenue, Cemetery Ridge.

Description: Denotes the location of the regiment on July 2, 1863.

Secondary Marker to 12th Massachusetts Infantry, located on South Hancock Avenue.

Location: North Hancock Avenue, Ziegler’s Grove.

Description: Marker denotes the regiment’s position on July 3, 1863.

The 12th Massachusetts Infantry was also known as The Webster Regiment.  Note that Daniel Webster was represented on their main monument.

Commander: Col. James L. Bates wounded on July 1. Lt. Col. David Allen, Jr.

Number Engaged: 301

Casualties: 5 killed, 52 wounded, 62 missing

Raised: Essex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties.

Organized at Fort Warren and mustered in June 26, 1861 Ordered home for muster out June 25. Mustered out July 8, 1864.

Major Battles or Events:   Cedar Mountain; Second Bull Run; Antietam; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; The Wilderness; Spotsylvania; Cold Harbor; Petersburg

83rd New York Infantry

83rd New York Infantry Monument

Located on  Doubleday Avenue, Oak Ridge.  It indicates the position held by the regiment during the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

Dedication Date: July 1, 1888.  (25th anniversary of actions it commemorates)

This monument cost $6,000.00. It was the first monument dedicated to a regiment recruited from New York City

The 83rd New York Infantry was also known as City Guards.

Commander: Lt. Col. Joseph A. Moesch

Number Engaged: 215

Casualties: 6 killed, 18 wounded, 58 missing

Raised: New York City

Volunteered for three years’ service.  Mustered in at Washington June 8. 1861.  Veterans and Recruits transferred to 97th New York Infantry June 7, 1864 (end of 3 years' service).  Regiment mustered out at New York City June 23, 1864, expiration of term

Major Battles:  2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor

90th Pennsylvania Infantry

90th Pennsylvania Monument

Located on  Doubleday Avenue on Oak Hill, it represents the position the unit held on the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

Dedication Date: September 3, 1889.

The monument resembles a branchless oak tree with several objects hung on it, including:  a knapsack; cartridge box; and a rifle.  There is also bronze "ivy" growing around the tree.  There's a bird's nest on the upper part of the tree with a robin above the nest.  There is a a story that during the battle, a member of the regiment saw a nest fall from a tree, and replaced the nest in the branches from which it fell. 

Secondary Monuments and Markers
There are 2 secondary markers and one additional monument to the 90th Pa.  Where I have pictures, they are posted, otherwise a description will have to suffice for now.

 Memorial  to Rev. Horatio Howell.

Location: On  the steps of the Christ Lutheran Church on Chambersburg Street in Gettysburg there is a memorial stone to Reverend Horation Howell marking the area where he was killed.

It was erected by the Survivors Association of the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers and friends of  Rev. Howell.  Howell was shot to death on the steps of the church as the Gettysburg battle began. 
On March 13, 1862, he enlisted as the regimental chaplain of the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry in Philadelphia.
Dedicated September 1, 1889. 

Location: Ziegler’s Grove, North Hancock Avenue.  Represents positions held on July 2 and July 3, 1863.

Inscription: “Non sibi sed patraie” (Translates to "Not for self, but for country")

Rear view of 90th Pa Secondary Marker
for July 2 and 3 1863

Front (road) view of 90th Pa Secondary Marker

The monument is interesting in that it has corps symbols from both the First and Fifth Corps (circle inside Maltese cross in picture on right)

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 South Hancock Avenue near the Pennsylvania Monument.  It represents position held on July 2, 1863 during Barksdale's attack.

Description: A large native boulder with bronze plaque affixed, erected in 1889 by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

90th Pa Secondary Marker for July 2, 1863

 The 90th wore a chassuer uniform.

Organized at Philadelphia October 1, 1861 Consolidated with 11th Pennsylvania Infantry November 26, 1864.

Raised: Philadelphia.

Commander: Col. Peter Lyle

Number Engaged: 208

Casualties: 8 killed, 45 wounded, 40 missing

Medal of Honor Awardee
Major Alfred J. Sellers
Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 1 July 1863.
Date of issue: 21 July 1894.
Citation: Voluntarily led the regiment under a withering fire to a position from which the enemy was repulsed.

Major Alfred J. Sellers MOH

11th Pennsylvania Infantry

11th Pennsylvania Monument

Located on   Doubleday Avenue on Oak Ridge.  The monument indicates the position held by the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry on the afternoon of July 1, 1863

Dedication Date: September 3, 1889.

Description and Notes:. A uniformed Infantryman stands atop the pedestal.  On the base lies the regimental dog.  Sallie, the regimental bull terrier mascot, was found after the battle guarding the wounded and dead of her regiment.  She was with the regiment through the Siege of Petersburg where she was killed.

The 11th Pennsylvania Infantry was also known as The Bloody Eleventh having received the nickname at the Battle of Falling Waters, Virginia in July of 1861. 

Commander: Col. Richard Coulter, Sr.

Number Engaged: 292

Casualties: 5 killed, 52 wounded, 60 missing

Raised: Latrobe Pennsylvania (organized in in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania) August 1861.

 Mustered out July 1, 1865

Major Battles and Events:  Cedar Mountain; Antietam; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; Regiment reenlisted January 5, 1864; The Wilderness; Spotsylvania; Cold Harbor; Petersburg; Five Forks; Appomattox; Grand Review

As usual, I hope you enjoyed this post, please feel free to comment.

Just a Follow Up Between Posts

I've been out gallivanting for the past week and a half (my niece came in from the west coast and it was my birthday week, so obviously battlefield visits were involved).  I managed to get to Gettysburg for a 3 day visit, then Antietam and Harper's Ferry...it was busy but fun.

Anyhow, I said as I got more information about my buddy Dave's Great-Great-Great Grandfather and my Brother's Father-in-Law's Great-Great Grandfather, I'd post about them...
Well, Dave has just completed the paperwork (with the help of another coworker) to receive the military records of his ancestor.
When I went to Gettysburg, I made a point of checking out the Pennsylvania Memorial, for the uninitiated, it has the names of every Pennsylvanian who fought at Gettysburg on it.  So in the spirit of following up, please enjoy the following...

The Pennsylvania Memorial seen from the area of the Meade Monument

If you look at the base of the memorial you can see how it appears dark, that area is bronze plaques listing every Pennsylvanian who fought at Gettysburg, by Regiment, Company and Rank.  Those who were mortally wounded have a star next to their name.

83rd Pennsylvania's plaque on the Pa. Memorial.  E.L. Whittelsey's name appears on the top right of this plaque as part of the command staff of the regiment.

In the upper right corner you can see Whittelsey's name listed as Sergeant Major (the rank he held at Gettysburg), he was  commissioned 2nd Lieutenant just about a  year later, and promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company A in October of 1864.  He was wounded at Malvern Hill in July 1862, and again at 2nd Bull Run (or 2nd Manassas if you prefer) where he was taken prisoner.

11th Pennsylvania Plaque on Pa. Memorial, Company G which was Capt. McGrew's company is about 1/2 way down on this plaque.

Capt. John McGrew was in charge of Company G of the 11th Pa.  He was wounded at Fredericksburg (December 1862) and was discharged in 1865 on a surgeon's certificate.

Again, as I find more information on these gentlemen, I will post it (I'm hoping to get a peek at the military records Dave McGrew sent for).

A Special Request

Although I'm trying to put up the monuments and sites of Gettysburg following the order of battle, as I said before, when something strikes my fancy, or if I get a request, I'll deviate from the plan...this is one of those deviations.

My little brother's father-in-law's (the esteemed Jim McCollum) Grandmother's Grandfather (his Great Great Grandfather) fought for the Army of the Potomac, 5th Corps, 1st Division, 3rd Brigade, Regiment 83rd Pennsylvania, Company E where he served as a 1st Sergeant.  Jim asked if I could put up some useful information on his Great Great Grandfather's company.  So here we go...

The monument for the 83rd Pennsylvania at Gettysburg is on the South slope of Little Round Top, it was dedicated on Sept 12, 1889.  It features Colonel Strong Vincent (who was killed shortly after placing his brigade on Little Round Top).  The monument also features the Maltese Cross that was the symbol of the 5th Corps.

83rd Pennsylvania Monument on Little Round Top

E.L. Whitelsey served from August 26,1861 until the company was disbanded at Harrisburg, Pa., July 4, 1865.   He was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill (during the 7 Day's Battles).  He was wounded a second time and taken prisoner at the battle of 2nd Bull Run (or 2nd Manassas).  He was promoted from Corporal to 1st Sergeant (I can't find the date), and promoted to Sergeant Major on February 1, 1863 (which was the rank he held at Gettysburg).  He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on June 26, 1864.  And promoted a final time to 1st Lieutenant of Company A (83rd Pa) on October 30, 1864.

Company E of the Pa. 83rd was organized in Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania, and mustered into United States service September 8, 1861. Mustered out of the Army of the Potomac June 28, 1865, and disbanded at Harrisburg, Pa., July 4, 1865.

Uniform style worn by 83rd Pa 1861-19\862

 The Regiment served from 1st Manassas through the Grand Review.  Significant battles besides Gettysburg included:  The Peninsula Campaign, The Seven Day's Battles (Including Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, Malvern Hill) , 2nd Manassas, The Maryland Campaign (including Antietam) Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Overland Campaign (including The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor), Petersburg, Five Forks, Appomattox.

83rd Pa Recruiting Poster

The 83rd lost 282 officers and men who died while fighting for the Union; only the 5th New Hampshire lost more--295. 

The 83rd Pa and Gettysburg

The Brigade was hurried to Little Round Top about 5 p.m. of July 2d. They were one of the companies of Colonel Strong Vincent's Brigade.  The 83rd was positioned to the right of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top.  They repulsed the attacks of General John Bell Hood's Division of Longstreet's Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia.  Specifically the frought Robertson's Brigade and what appears to have been the 5th Texas and 4th Alabama, they also were engaged by the 47th Alabama of Law's Brigade.  After driving Confederate forces from Little Round Top, they assisted in the taking of Big Round Top. 
The Regiment had 308 men engaged in battle, and suffered 10 killed and 45 wounded.  

Triangular Flag of the 83rd Pa (used @ Gettysburg)

No. 201. — Report of Capt. Orpheus S. Woodward, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry.

NEAR EMMITSBURG, MD.,
July 6, 1863.
LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders from headquarters Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, I have the honor to report the following as the operations of my command during the battle of the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th instant:
On the morning of the 2d instant, moved to the front. At about 2.30 p.m. was ordered into position on our extreme left, the Forty-fourth New York on my right, the Twentieth Maine on my left. At 3.15 p.m. the enemy advanced and engaged my skirmishers, pressing on in force, with bayonets fixed. They soon drove in my skirmishers and engaged my regiment, posted behind rocks and stones hastily thrown up for defense. The contest continued lively until nearly 6 p.m., when the enemy fell back. I instantly threw forward a strong line of skirmishers, who captured between 50 and 60 prisoners and 250 stand of arms.
My men and officers acted splendidly. Where all did so well, I cannot discriminate.
My loss amounted to 10 killed and 45 wounded.
At 1.30 a.m. on the 3d, moved to the support of the Twentieth Maine, which had succeeded in taking a high hill a little to the left of my former position. Remained here until 10 a.m., when, being relieved by a regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves, rejoined my brigade, massed in the woods, just at the right of General Sykes’ headquarters. Here I remained until 12 m., the 4th, when the brigade was thrown forward on a reconnaissance. We moved out, and occupied the position occupied by the enemy the previous day; threw forward skirmishers, but found no opposing force within 2 miles. I deem it but proper to state that but for the prompt and skillful disposition made by Colonel Vincent of the troops under his command (the Third Brigade), the enemy would have succeeded in turning our left.
I regret to state that Colonel Vincent was severely wounded. My command (his regiment) esteemed him highly as a gentleman, scholar, and soldier, and bitterly avenged his injury.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. S. WOODWARD,
Captain, Commanding Regiment.
Lieutenant HERENDEEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., Fifth Corps.

Some references that may help those looking for additional information on the 83rd Pa include:


Judson, Amos M., Captain, Company E.    History of the Eighty-Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.   Dayton, OH: Morningside Books, 1986. 


Schellhammer, Michael W. The 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War, McFarland Publishing .