First Brigade

In the Army of the Potomac's Second Corps, Second Division, First Brigade under Brig. Gen. William Harrow and Col. Francis E. Heath included the 19th Maine, 15th Massachusetts, 1st Minnesota, and 82d New York Infantry. On July 2, early in the morning, it took position in the rear of the Second and Third Brigades. The 15th Massachusetts and 82d New York were advanced to the Emmitsburg Road on the right of the Cordori House to support Third Corps, while the other two regiments moved to the left on a line with the Third Brigade. After Third Corps was forced back, the advanced regiments were compelled to retire to the main line by Brig. Gen. Wright's Brigade, which captured several pieces of artillery, but supports coming quickly to the Union line forced the Confederates back across the Emmitsburg Road with heavy loss and retook the captured artillery. Col. G.H. Ward of the 15th Massachusetts and Col. J.J. Huston of the 82d New York were mortally wounded. On July 3, at 1 p.m., a terrific cannonade opened along the Confederate line in front and continued for about two hours, followed by a charge of over 15,000 infantry, its right striking the Second and Third Brigades. This brigade moved at once to the right and assisted the other two brigades in repelling the assault and capturing a large number of prisoners and several flags. Its casualties were 10 officers and 137 men killed, 46 officers and 527 men wounded, and 1 officer and 47 men captured or missing, for a total of 768.

Pennsylvania · United States