Barksdale's Brigade

Barksdale's Brigade of McLaws's Division, Longstreet's Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, composed of the 13th, 17th, 18th, and 21st Mississippi Infantry, arrived about 3 p.m. on July 2 and formed line here. It advanced at 5 p.m. and took part in the assault on the Peach Orchard and adjacent positions, vigorously pursuing Union forces as they retired. The 21st Regiment pushed past the Trostle House and captured 9th Mass. Battery and I Battery 5th U. States but were unable to bring them off. The other regiments, including those farther to the left, pressed forward to Plum Run, where they encountered fresh troops and a fierce conflict followed in which Brig. Gen. Wm. Barksdale fell mortally wounded. On July 3 the brigade supported artillery on Peach Orchard Ridge and withdrew from the front late in the afternoon. On July 4 it remained in position near here all day, and about midnight began the march to Hagerstown. Its strength present was 1598, with 105 killed, 550 wounded, and 92 missing, for a total loss of 747.

Freedom Township, Pennsylvania · United States