Barksdale’s Charge

Confederate General William Barksdale’s Mississippi brigade, composed of the 13th, 17th, 18th, and 21st infantry regiments, arrived here around 4:00 pm on July 2. Eager to engage the enemy to his front, Barksdale repeatedly asked permission to attack, and when the order finally came he led his men forward. The 1,600 Mississippians raised the Rebel yell and advanced across the fields toward the Peach Orchard and Sherfy Farm. Hardened veterans of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, they pushed through the Peach Orchard with artillery support, smashed the Union line, and advanced to Plum Run at the foot of Cemetery Ridge before being forced back. As he tried to rally his men, Barksdale fell mortally wounded. During the fighting on July 2, the brigade suffered 804 casualties, half of those who made the charge.

Freedom Township, Pennsylvania · United States