This military unit was commanded by Maj. Gen. Daniel Edgar “Dan” Sickles (October 20, 1819 – May 3, 1914), who was a flamboyant and controversial American politician, Union general in the American Civil War, and diplomat. A Headquarters Marker (center and bottom right) for Sickles camp is across from the Trostle farm on United States Avenue.
The Army of Potomac, 3rd Corps Tablet is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Emmitsburg and Wheatfield Roads and faces north northeast. Facing all four monuments, this one is the third from the left. Draw the Sword, with descriptive help from the NPS site (and me), offers the following description: A rectangular granite monument, with a large bronze tablets thereon, describing the engagements and movements of each army corps. Rough-hewn monolith, 4’2" x 2’4", 7' high. Bronze inscription tablet, 3’7" x 4’1", mounted on polished face of monolith. Corps badges are incorporated into tablet top. I noted the diamond at the top of the monolith which is the symbol of the Army of the Potomac Third Corps. The tablet was erected on September 25, 1907 by the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission. The inscription on this monolith reads:
Army of the Potomac
Third Corps
Major General Daniel E. Sickles
Major General David B. Birney
July 1. This Corps was at Emmitsburg, complying with General Howard's urgent request received at 3.10 p.m. General Sickles marched his Corps except two Brigades and two Batteries to Gettysburg.
July 2. At daybreak these troops rejoined the Corps massed on the left of Cemetery Ridge.
During the forenoon the Confederates advanced toward the Union left. A reconnaissance disclosed their formation in three columns. Buford's Cavalry Division on the left flank had been withdrawn. About 2 p.m. this Corps, then the extreme left of the Union line changed front to check the enemy until the 5th Corps could march from the Union right and occupy the Round Tops. The 3rd Corps about 9800 men, formed line of battle from Plum Run to the Peach Orchard, thence along the Emmitsburg Road 300 yards past the Roger House, Birney's Division on left and Humphrey's Division along Emmitsburg Road against three Divisions, about 17000 strong under Longstreet. The Confederate batteries opened about 3 o'clock, the Infantry advancing soon after against the 3rd Corps left, following an oblique order of battle at 5.45 p.m. the enemy attacked the 3rd Corps left centre. Reinforcements repulsed this attack and occupied the Round Tops, relieving Birney's Division except at the Peach Orchard. About 6.30 p.m. the 3rd Corps centre at the Peach Orchard was broken after a stubborn resistance, uncovering the left of Humphreys' Division which changed front and slowly retired following Birney to Cemetery Ridge and again advancing to the Emmitsburg Road, held that line until morning the battle continuing until 7.30 p.m.
General Sickles was severely wounded about 6 o'clock. General Birney taking command.
July 3 In support of the left centre on Cemetery Ridge.
Casualties 593 killed, 3029 wounded and 589 missing. Total 4211.
There are scores of similar monuments for the various Confederate States & Union brigades which fought at Gettysburg. Many of the tablets were created by Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts (not sure about this one) and are made of granite, bronze and concrete. All of these tablets were designed by architect E.B. Cope. He designed pretty much every tablet for both the Union and Confederate armies, each one distinct, with several different varieties. The monuments were erected just after the turn of the century during the first and beginning of the second decade of the 20th century. Everyone has since been preserved or restored at least twice since the turn of the 21st century.
Information about these specific types of monuments
CORPS MARKERS
Corps markers are similar to division monuments but they have scrolls at the top. For some reason, the two markers to the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the Union 3rd Army Corps as well as the Artillery Brigade at the Peach Orchard are designed this way as well. Perhaps they were done this way for a uniform appearance as all three sit next to each other. (The Artillery Reserve Monument also follows this pattern - see my pictures of the Orchard). All construed of Winnsboro (S.C.), granite SOURCE
The Army of Potomac, 3rd Corps Tablet is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D. Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The tablet is designated as contributing structure number MN420.
From the nomination form:
Short Physical Description:
Rough-hewn monolith, 4'2"x2'4", 7' high. Bronze inscription tablet, 3'7"x4'1", mounted on polished face of monolith. Corps badges are incorporated into tablet top.
Long Physical Description
Located in Peach Orchard, SE corner of intersection of Emmitsburg & Wheatfield Rds.
My Sources
1.
Draw the Sword
2.
NRHP Narrative
3.
Virtual Gettysburg
4.
Historical Marker Database
5.
Stone Sentinels