Location: South portion of Sickles Avenue, above Devil’s Den.
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
THIRD CORPS FIRST DIVISION
SECOND BRIGADE
Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward
Col. Hiram Berdan
20th Indiana 3d 4th Maine
86th 124th New York 99th Penna. Infantry
1st 2D (8 Cos.) U. S. Sharpshooters
July 1. Arrived after sunset and bivouacked for the night.
July 2. The Corps having relieved Second Division Twelfth Corps in the morning the Brigade took position on the left of the Division and extended to the base of Little Round top. Between 2 and 3 P. M. advanced with the Division to the line from the Peach Orchard to Devil’s Den occupying the left of the line to the west base of Little Round Top. The 1st U. S. Sharpshooters and 3D Maine were engaged in a reconnaissance into the woods in front of the Peach Orchard from noon until about 2 P. M. and then served with First Brigade at the Peach Orchard. The 6th New Jersey and 40th New York were sent to Brig. Gen. Ward and supported his left. Between 4 and 5 P. M. the Brigade was fiercely attacked by Brig. Gen. Robertson’s and Brig. Gen. Benning’s Brigades Major Gen. Hood’s Division and after a prolonged conflict was forced back.
July 3. In reserve.
Casualties Killed 12 Officers 117 Men Wounded 33 Officers 449 Men Captured or Missing 6 Officers 164 Men Total 781
Army of the Potomac > Third Corps > First Division > Second Brigade