Confederate Headquarters Markers > Hill’s 3rd Corps > Anderson’s Division
The monument to Perry’s Florida Brigade is on West Confederate Avenue. (West Confederate Avenue – Pt. 3 tour map) A position tablet is also on Emmittsburg Road. (Emmitsburg Rd. – Codori Farm tour map)
The brigade was temporarily commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Colonel David Lang of the 8th Florida Infantry while Brigadier General Edward Perry was absent with typhoid fever. Colonel Lang was a graduate of the Georgia Military Institute who had moved to Florida and became a surveyor.
This small brigade consisted of all the Florida regiments which served with the Army of Northern Virginia at the time. It took part in the assauts of both July 2nd and 3rd in roughly the same area, advancing from the woods on Seminary Ridge and past Emmitsburg Road before being turned back by Union counterattacks, both times losing one of its colors.
From the monument:
C. S. A.
Army of Northern Virginia
Hill’s Corps Anderson’s Division
Perry’s Brigade
2nd 5th 8th Florida Infantry
July 2. Formed line in forenoon in the eastern border of these woods. Advanced at 6 P. M. and assisted in forcing the Union line on the Emmitsburg Road and by rapid pursuit compelled the temporary abandonment of several guns. At the foot of the slope met fresh Union forces and the line on its right retiring it also fell back. The colorbearer of the 8th Florida fell and its flag was lost.
July 3. Ordered to join Wilcox’s Brigade on its left and conform to its movements. Supported artillery until Longstreet’s column started and then advanced in aid of his assault. But dense smoke hiding his oblique course the Brigade moved directly forward. In the gap caused thereby a strong force struck its left flank capturing about half of the 2nd Florida and its colors.
July 4. In line here and at dark began the march to Hagerstown.
Present 700 Killed 33 Wounded 217 Missing 205 Total 455
From the tablet on Emmitsburg Road:
Army of Northern Virginia
Hill’s Corps Anderson’s Division
Perry’s Brigade
2nd 5th 8th Florida Infantry
July 2. Formed line in forenoon in the western border of these woods. Advanced at 6 P. M. and assisted in driving back the Union lines on Emmitsburg Road and by rapid pursuit compelled the temporary abandonment of several guns. At the foot of the slope met Union infantry and the line on the right retiring also fell back. The color bearer of the 8th Florida fell and its flag was lost.
Colonel David Lang, commander of Perry’s Florida Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg
See the history of the regiments in Perry’s Brigade in the Civil War:
2nd Florida Infantry, 5th Florida Infantry, 8th Florida Infantry