Union Headquarters monuments > 2nd Corps > 1st Division
The monument to the 1st Brigade 1st Division 2nd Corps at Gettysburg is on the southeast edge of the Wheatfield.(Ayers Avenue – Wheatfield tour map)
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Attached to the First Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac
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Colonel Edward Cross commanded the 1st Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was colonel of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment. Cross was mortally wounded at the beginning of the charge into the Wheatfield on the afternoon of July 2nd, and the brigade was taken over by Colonel H. Boyd McKeen.
From the monument
Army of the Potomac
Second Corps First Division
First Brigade
Col. Edward E. Cross Col. H. Boyd McKeen
5th New Hampshire 61st New York
81st 148th Pennsylvania Infantry
July 2. Arrived about 7 A. M. and was massed in woods at left and rear of the line of Corps and at 10 A. M. took position forming the left of Division in column of regiments. Between 5 and 6 P. M. moved with Division to the support of Third Corps forming line of battle along a stone wall at the rear and east of the Wheatfield and advanced against the Confederate forces in the Wheatfield and in the woods at left forcing them back to the farther end of the Wheatfield and taking many prisoners when the ammunition being exhausted the Brigade was relieved by part of Second Division Fifth Corps and Second Brigade First Division Fifth Corps and retired to the stone wall and finally with Division to former position in line with Corps. Col. Cross fell mortally wounded early in the engagement.
July 3. Constructed breastworks early in the morning which gave protection from the cannonade in the afternoon. Remained in position until the close of the battle.
Casualties Killed 2 Officers 55 Men Wounded 22 Officers 238 Men Captured or Missing 13 Men Total 330
Union Colonel Edward E. Cross of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry, mortally wounded in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg
Location of the monument to the 1st Brigade 1st Division 2nd Corps
The monument is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Ayers Avenue. It is about 200 yards south of Wheatfield Road. (39°47’45.9″N 77°14’30.1″W)