Confederate Headquarters – Longstreet’s First Corps – Pickett’s Division
The monument to Kemper’s Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia is southwest of Gettysburg on the west side of West Confederate Avenue. (West Confederate Avenue – Pt. 3 tour map)
Kemper’s Brigade was the right flank brigade of Pickett’s Charge and suffered heavy casualties not only from Union defenders in their front but also from the Vermont Brigade which swung out from the Union line and attacked their flank after they crossed Emmitsburg Road.
Monument to Kemper’s Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg
From the monument
C. S. A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Longstreet’s Corps Pickett’s Division
Kemper’s Brigade
1st 3rd 7th 11th 24th Virginia Infantry
July 2. Arrived about sunset and bivouacked on the western border of Spangler’s Woods.
July 3. In the forenoon formed line in the field east of the woods with right flank near Spangler’s Barn. At the close of the cannonade advanced and took part in Longstreet’s assault upon the Union position in the vicinity of the Angle. Exposed to a severe fire of artillery and vigorously assailed beyond the Emmitsburg Road by infantry on the right flank with ranks thinned and much disorganized by its losses especially of officers it pressed on against the Union line at the stone wall where after a fierce encounter the struggle ended. Gen. J. L. Kemper fell wounded in front of the stone wall.
July 4. Spent the day in reorganization and during the night began the march to Hagerstown.
Present 1575 Killed 56 Wounded 356 Missing 317 Total 731
About James Kemper
Brigadier General James L. Kemper commanded the brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Kemper was a Virginia lawyer and politician. He was badly wounded leading the brigade in the charge on July 3rd, briefly captured, rescued by Sergeant Leigh Blanton of the 1st Virginia Infantry, and brought back to Confederate lines. He was again captured by Union forces on the retreat to Virginia. Although exchanged on September 19th he was too badly wounded to resume field command. Colonel Joseph Mayo, Jr. of the Third Virginia took over the survivors of the brigade.
Confederate Brigadier General James Kemper
Location of the monument to Kemper’s Brigade
The monument is southwest of Gettysburg on the west side of West Confederate Avenue, which is one way southbound at this point. It is about 680 feet south of the State of Virginia monument. (39°48’45.6″N 77°15’06.9″W)
See more on the history of the regiments in Kemper’s Brigade
1st Virginia Infantry Regiment – 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment – 7th Virginia Infantry Regiment
11th Virginia Infantry Infantry Regiment – 24th Virginia Infantry Regiment