Second Division

On July 2, the Army of the Potomac’s Fifth Corps Second Division, commanded by Brig. General Romeyn B. Ayres, moved from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek about 5 p.m., left in front, to support the Third Corps line, preceded by the First Division. Its Third Brigade, under Brig. Gen. S.H. Weed and later Col. Kenner Garrard, halted at Little Round Top and occupied the summit and north slope just in time to repel an attack on the right of the Third Brigade of the First Division, and there Gen. Weed was mortally wounded. The First Brigade under Col. Hannibal Day and the Second Brigade under Col. Sidney Burbank crossed Plum Run to the hill beyond and formed in two lines, with the First Brigade in rear facing the Wheatfield, through which the First Division of the Second Corps was advancing at right angle. About sunset, when the troops in front and on the right retired before a fierce assault on their front and flank, these two brigades were compelled to retire with heavy losses to Little Round Top, pursued by Wofford’s Georgia Brigade and portions of Semmes’s, Kershaw’s, and Anderson’s brigades. Later, the First and Second Brigades took position in the woods in rear of the Third Brigade. On July 3, the division remained in the same position. On July 4, the First Brigade made a successful reconnoissance to the front. Casualties were 10 officers and 154 men killed, 56 officers and 746 men wounded, and 63 men captured or missing, for a total of 1029.

Pennsylvania · United States