Location: Located on the east side of Ayres Avenue.
Description: Erected 1912. One of 74 Union brigade monuments erected at Gettysburg by the United States War Department to describe the movements and itinerary of each Union brigade of the Army of the Potomac. The monuments were designed by E.B. Cope. Many of the inscription tablets were made of bronze melted down from Civil War cannons. The pedestal consists of sea-green granite with a square base. Base tapers to a smaller dimension at the tablet. On each pedestal is mounted a bronze inscription tablet describing the movements and actions of the unit.
Inscription:
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIFTH CORPS SECOND DIVISION
FIRST BRIGADE
Col. Hannibal Day
3D (6 Cos.) 4th (4 Cos.) 6th (5 Cos.)
12th (8 Cos.) 14th (8 Cos.) U. S. Infantry
July 2. Moved left in front with the Division late in the day from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek to Little Round Top and Third Corps line. Halted on north slope of Little Round Top. Third Brigade in advance went to the support of Third Brigade First Division. The Brigade preceded by Second Brigade advanced across Plum Run Valley and on to the hill beyond and formed line in rear of Second Brigade facing the Wheatfield through which First Division Second Corps was advancing perpendicular to the line of the Brigade. Later advanced supporting Second Brigade towards left when Union forces on the right and front having been driven back by superior numbers the Brigade retired under a heavy musketry fire on its front and flank to Little Round Top and at night to the woods on the east side.
July 3. Remained in same position.
July 4. Made a reconnaissance to the front supported by Second Brigade First Division Sixth Corps forcing in the Confederate pickets and drawing the fire of artillery.
Casualties Killed 1 Officer 45 Men Wounded 13 Officers 305 Men Captured or Missing 18 Men Total 382
Army of the Potomac > Fifth Corps > Second Division > First Brigade