Union Headquarters monuments > 5th Corps > 3rd Division


The monument to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps is south of Gettysburg on Sykes Avenue. (Big Round Top tour map)

5th Corps Headquarters Flag 5th Corps, 3rd Division flag

The brigade was one of three brigades of Pennsylvania Reserves, two of which had joined the Army of the Potomac on the eve of the battle after spending several months in the Washington defences.

Monument to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg

Monument to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division of the 5th Corps at Gettysburg

From the monument

Army of the Potomac
Fifth Corps Third Division
Third Brigade
Col. Joseph W. Fisher

34th 38th 39th 40th 41st Penna. Infantry
(5th 9th 10th 11th 12th (9 Cos.) Reserves)

July 2. Moved with the Division from the Baltimore Pike near Rock Creek to Little Round Top and at dusk took position in rear of Third Brigade First Division. The 5th and 12th Penna. Reserves and 20th Maine of the Third Brigade First Division took possession of the north slope of Round Top after a slight resistance and constructed a stone wall from base to summit for defense. This position was held until the close of the battle.

Casualties Killed 1 Officer 5 Men Wounded 3 Officers 46 Men Total 55

Colonel Joseph W. Fisher

Colonel Joseph W. Fisher commanded the brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Fisher was an attorney and state representative from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. When war broke out he became lieutenant colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, and was promoted to Colonel after Colonel Simmons was killed during the Seven Days in 1862. At Fredericksburg Fisher assumed command of the brigade as senior colonel when Brigadier General Jackson was killed in Meade’s attack. He continued to command the brigade until after the Battle of Cold Harbor, when his regiment was mustered out. Late in the war he became colonel of the 195th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.

Union Colonel Joseph W. Fisher

Union Colonel Joseph W. Fisher

Location of the monument to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Corps at Gettysburg

The monument is south of Gettysburg at the foot of Big Round Top. It is on the south side of South Confederate Avenue (which turns into Sykes Avenue at this point) which is one way eastbound. The monument is about 115 feet from the avenue, behind the monument to the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves.