The Copse of Trees on the Gettysburg battlefield
The Copse of Trees at Gettysburg was the focal point of Pickett’s Charge on July 3rd, 1863, the last day of the battle. It is located inside The Angle, an area within a stone fence that zigzags south, then west, the south again near the trees (Hancock Avenue at The Angle tour map).
Union troops under Brigadier General John Gibbon and Brigadier General Alexander Webb defended the stone wall. Confederate troops led by Brigadier General Lewis Armistead temporarily broke through their lines and crossed the wall just west of the Copse of Trees (behind the trees in this photo) in what has come to be regarded as the high point of Confederate military achievement in the war. It is commemorated by the High Water Mark monument at the base of the trees.
The grove today is surrounded by an iron fence, and is probably much smaller than the original wooded area.
View from the south of the Copse of Trees
Location of the Copse of Trees on the Gettysburg battlefield
The Copse of Trees is about 0.4 mile south of town on the west side of Hancock Avenue. Hancock Avenue is one way northbound. (39°48’44.9″N 77°14’09.2″W