Union Headquarters monuments > 3rd Corps > 1st Division
The monument to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue near the Devil’s Den. (Devil’s Den tour map)
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Brigadier General John Henry Hobart Ward
Brigadier General J.H. Hobart Ward commanded the brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Ward was born in New York City, the son and grandson of wounded veterans. Ward joined the 7th United States Infantry after graduating from Trinity College. He rose through the enlisted ranks to Sergeant Major, and was wounded at Monterrey in the Mexican War. Ward recruited and became colonel of the 38th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment with the outbreak of the Civil War. He led his regiment at Bull Run and through the Peninsula Campaign before being promoted to brigadier general in October of 1862.
Ward was wounded on July 2 at Gettysburg but stayed on the field in command. He temporarily took over the division when Birney took over corps command from the wounded Sickles. As the war continued Ward was wounded again at Kelley’s Ford, Wapping Heights and Spotsylvania. He was removed from command for intoxication and misbehavior in June of 1864, but was honorably mustered out.
Monument to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps of the army of the Potomac at Gettysburg
From the monument
Army of the Potomac
Third Corps First Division
Second Brigade
Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward
Col. Hiram Berdan
20th Indiana 3d 4th Maine
86th 124th New York 99th Penna. Infantry
1st 2d (8 Cos.) U. S. Sharpshooters
July 1. Arrived after sunset and bivouacked for the night.
July 2. The Corps having relieved Second Division Twelfth Corps in the morning the Brigade took position on the left of the Division and extended to the base of Little Round top. Between 2 and 3 P. M. advanced with the Division to the line from the Peach Orchard to Devil’s Den occupying the left of the line to the west base of Little Round Top. The 1st U. S. Sharpshooters and 3d Maine were engaged in a reconnaissance into the woods in front of the Peach Orchard from noon until about 2 P. M. and then served with First Brigade at the Peach Orchard. The 6th New Jersey and 40th New York were sent to Brig. Gen. Ward and supported his left. Between 4 and 5 P. M. the Brigade was fiercely attacked by Brig. Gen. Robertson’s and Brig. Gen. Benning’s Brigades Major Gen. Hood’s Division and after a prolonged conflict was forced back.
July 3. In reserve.
Casualties Killed 12 Officers 117 Men Wounded 33 Officers 449 Men Captured or Missing 6 Officers 164 Men Total 781
Brigadier General J.H. Hobart Ward
Location of the monument
The monument is south of Gettysburg, just north of the Devil’s Den. It is on the east side of Sickles Avenue about 670 feet south of its intersection with Cross and Ayers Avenues. (39°47’35.3″N 77°14’34.0″W)