2nd Wisconsin Infantry

Alternate Designations: None.

Commander: Col. Lucius Fairchild (1831-1896), wounded on July 1; Maj. John Mansfield (ca. 1822-1896), wounded on July 1; Capt. George H. Otis (1838-1931).

Numbers: 302; 26 killed, 155 wounded, 52 missing.

Raised: LaCrosse, Grant, Rock, Winnebago, Racine, Columbia, and Iowa.

Dedicated June 30, 1888.

Location: Meredith & Stone Avenue in Reynolds Woods. It marks the general location where the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry jumped off for its counter-charge against Archer’s Confederates on the morning of July 1, 1863 shortly after reaching McPherson Ridge July 1, 1863.

Description: The five-pointed insignia of the Iron Brigade stands atop a two-course pedestal and tiered, rough-hewn base. The granite monument is a smooth shaft with inscriptions and topped with the Iron Brigade insignia set on a rough hewn 6×4.6 foot base. Overall height is thirteen foot. Flanking markers are flat topped and 1.2×2 foot.

Of the Second, Fox wrote: “This regiment sustained the greatest percentage of loss of any in the entire Union Army. It was a fine regiment and well officered.”

Grave of Lt. Col. George Stevens (Dec. 8, 1831-July 5, 1863), 2nd Wisconsin. Along with Lt. Col. Max Thoman of the 59th New York, Stevens is the highest ranking officer killed or mortally wounded at the battle and buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Mortally wounded through the left side on July 1, Stevens left behind a wife and two children and lies beside the men of his adopted state who gave their lives to preserve the Union.

Other Monuments: Main Monument | July 2 & 3 Position Stone | Company F Marker

Army of the Potomac > First Corps > First Division > First Brigade