Confederate Headquarters Markers > Ewell’s 2nd Corps
The monument to Early’s Division of the Army of Northern Virginia is southeast of Gettysburg on East Confederate Avenue.
Monument to Early’s Division of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg
From the monument
C. S. A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Second Army Corps
Early’s Division
Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early
Hays’ Brigade Brig. Gen. Harry T. Hays
Smith’s Brigade Brig. Gen. William Smith
Hoke’s Brigade Col. Isaac E. Avery
Col. A. C. Godwin
Gordon’s Brigade Brig. John B. Gordon
Artillery Battalion Four Batteries Col. H. P. Jones
July 1. The Division arrived about noon within two miles of Gettysburg by Harrisburg Road. Formed line across road north of Rock Creek. Gordon’s Brigade ordered to support of a brigade of Rodes’ Division engaged with a division of the Eleventh Corps which had advanced to a wooded hill in front of town. The remainder of the Division was ordered forward as Gordon’s Brigade was engaged. After a short and severe contest the Union troops were forced through the town losing many prisoners. Later in the day Gordon’s Brigade ordered to the York Road in support of Smith’s Brigade. Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades occupied the town.
July 2. In the early morning Hays’ and Hoke’sBrigades took position to front and left of town.Gordon’s Brigade in reserve moved to the rear of the brigades. Smith’s Brigade remained in this position until nearly dusk when Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades advanced on Cemetery Hill. The brigades reached the crest of hill but not being supported on the right were forced to retire. Gordon’s Brigade advanced to support the attack.
July 3. At daylight Smith’s Brigade was ordered to support of Johnson’s Division on the left. Hays’ and Hoke’s Brigades formed line in town holding the position of previous day. Gordon’s Brigade held the line of the day before. The Division not further engaged.
July 4. In the morning the Division was withdrawn to Cashtown Road to west of town.
Casualties Killed 156 Wounded 806 Missing 226 Total 1188
About Jubal Early
Major General Jubal A. Early commanded the division at the Battle of Gettysburg. Early was a lawyer, state representative and Mexican War veteran. Early was born and grew up in Franklin County, Virginia, in a wealthy family that allowed him to attend private schools. His aptitude for math and science led to his appointment to the United States Military Academy, where he graduated with the West Point Class of 1837.
After graduation Early was assigned to the 3rd United States Artillery. He served in Florida against the Seminoles, but commented that he never even saw a Seminole. He resigned after a year to study law. He passed the bar in 1840, and the next year was elected as a Whig to the Virginia House of Delegates. He served one term, the became Commonwealth’s Attorney for Franklin and Floyd Counties.
After the outbreak of the Mexican War Early became major of the 1st Virginia Volunteers. They arrived too late for any fighting, garrisoning the city of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon. After the war Early returned to his legal career. He was elected to the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861, where he strongly opposed secession, arguing that secession would precipitate war, and that the rights of Southerners without slaves were worth protection as much as those who owned slaves.
But after Virginia seceded and Lincoln called for volunteers to surpress the rebellion, Early became a brigadier general in the Virginia militia, raising three regiments in Lynchburg. When Virginia joined the Confederacy Early became colonel of the 24th Virginia Infantry. When the regiment reached the army forming at Manassas Early was given command of its brigade. He was promoted to brigadier general in September of 1862. He was wounded at the Battle of Williamsburg in May of 1862, but returned on July 1 to command the wounded Arnold Elzey’s brigade. He took over division command from the wounded Alexander Lawton at Sharpsburg (Antietam), and was promoted to major general in January of 1863.
Confederate Major General Jubal A. Early
Location of the monument
The monument is on the southeast side of Gettysburg. It is on the east side of East Confederate Avenue just past the entry gates. (39°49’44.5″N 77°13’35.5″W)