Third Brigade

In the Army of the Potomac’s Second Corps, Third Division, the Third Brigade, commanded by Col. George L. Willard, Col. Eliakim Sherrill, and Lieut. Col. James M. Bull and composed of the 39th (4 cos.), 111th, 125th, 126th New York Infantry, took position on July 2 in the morning along Cemetery Ridge at the right of the Angle. Near sunset it moved left to support the Third Corps, charged Brig. Gen. Barksdale’s Brigade in the wooded swale at the head of Plum Run, forced it back, and captured many prisoners. The 39th New York recaptured Battery I, 5th U.S., from the 21st Miss. Col. Willard was killed and Brig. Gen. Barksdale was mortally wounded. At dark the brigade returned and was held in reserve. On July 3 it engaged on the skirmish line with much loss. At 3 p.m., after a terrific cannonade of two hours, the brigade was moved up to the line of the Second Brigade and assisted in repulsing Longstreet’s assault, in which Col. Sherrill was mortally wounded. A large detail from the brigade under Capt. Armstrong of the 125th New York and the 8th Ohio on the skirmish line withdrew to the right, poured a deadly fire upon the left of the assaulting lines, and then charged, capturing prisoners and flags. Its casualties were 11 officers and 126 men killed, 26 officers and 516 men wounded, 33 men captured or missing, for a total of 714.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · United States