First Brigade

In the Army of the Potomac's Second Corps, First Division, First Brigade, commanded by Col. Edward E. Cross and Col. H. Boyd McKeen and including the 5th New Hampshire, 61st New York, 81st and 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, arrived about 7 a.m. on July 2 and was massed in woods at the left and rear of the corps line, then at 10 a.m. took position forming the left of the division in column of regiments. Between 5 and 6 p.m. it moved with the division to support the Third Corps, formed a line of battle along a stone wall at the rear and east of the Wheatfield, and advanced against Confederate forces in the Wheatfield and woods at the left, forcing them back to the farther end of the Wheatfield and taking many prisoners, but when its ammunition was exhausted the brigade was relieved by part of Second Division, Fifth Corps, and Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, then retired to the stone wall and finally with the division to its former position in line with the corps. Col. Cross fell mortally wounded early in the engagement. On July 3 the brigade constructed breastworks early in the morning, which gave protection from the afternoon cannonade, and remained in position until the close of the battle. Its casualties were 2 officers and 55 men killed, 22 officers and 238 men wounded, and 13 men captured or missing, for a total of 330.

Pennsylvania · United States