First Brigade

In the Army of the Potomac's Fifth Corps, Third Division, the First Brigade under Col. William McCandless, composed of the 30th, 31st, 35th, and 42d Pennsylvania Infantry, moved on July 2 from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek late in the day to Little Round Top north of the Wheatfield Road. After sunset it formed line to cover the retiring of the First and Second Brigades of the Second Division and, supported by the Third Brigade of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, charged the advancing Confederates and forced them down the hill and across into the Wheatfield. The brigade then remained at a stone wall in rear of the Wheatfield, and Col. C.F. Taylor, commanding the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves, fell in the advance. On July 3 the brigade advanced through the Wheatfield into the woods beyond, supported by the Third Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, and, changing front, swept southward through the woods west and south of the Wheatfield, encountering part of Brig. Gen. Benning's Brigade, capturing about 200 prisoners and the colors of the 15th Georgia. The Confederates retired to the crest of the ridge from which they had advanced the previous day. In this movement one 10 pounder Parrott was recovered and about 3,000 small arms were gathered from the field. Casualties were 2 officers and 18 men killed, 14 officers and 118 men wounded, and 3 men captured or missing, for a total of 155.

Pennsylvania · United States