Third Division

The Army of the Potomac’s Second Corps, Third Division, commanded by Brig. General Alexander Hays, included a First Brigade under Col. S.S. Carroll, a Second Brigade under Col. Thos. A. Smyth and Lieut. Col. Francis E. Pierce, and a Third Brigade under Col. Geo. L. Willard, Col. Eliakim Sherrill, and Lieut. Col. Jas. M. Bull. On July 2, about 8 a.m., it took position on Cemetery Ridge relieving Second Division, First Corps, and at noon advanced to the stone wall in front. Late in the day, the Third Brigade went to support Third Corps on the left and became engaged with Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, capturing many prisoners. At dark, Col. Carroll with the 4th. Ohio, 7th West Virginia, and 14th Indiana of First Brigade went to support Eleventh Corps on East Cemetery Hill and remained until the close of the battle. On July 3, the Bliss Barn in front, occupied by sharpshooters, was burned by order of Gen. A. Hays. At 1 p.m., a heavy artillery fire from the Confederate line was concentrated on the positions of the Corps' Second and Third Divisions for two hours, followed by a charge of more than 15,000 infantry, which was repulsed with loss; the division captured about 1500 prisoners and 15 stand of colors. The muskets found on the field after the charge numbered about 3,500. On July 4, there was sharp skirmishing in front all day. Its casualties were 20 officers and 218 men killed, 75 officers and 912 men wounded, and 1 officer and 65 men captured or missing, for a total of 1291.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · United States