Humphreys’ Division served as a member of the Third Corps in the Army of the Potomac. Brig. Gen. Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (November 2, 1810 – December 27, 1883), was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union General in the American Civil War. He served in senior positions in the Army of the Potomac, including division command, chief of staff, and corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army.
The Humphreys' US Division Tablet (1) 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 second one on the left. Draw the Sword, with descriptive help from the NPS site (and me), offers the following description: One of 22 Union division monuments that describe the movements and itinerary of each division of the Army of the Potomac. Designed by E. B. Cope. Monuments are rough-hewn monoliths, 4’2?x2'x7'H, consisting of Winnsboro, South Carolina granite. Bronze inscription tablets, 3’8?x3’6-3/4?, are affixed to the polished face of the monoliths. Polished insignia of the corps centered above the tablet. 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 1909 by the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission. The inscription on this monolith reads:
Army of the Potomac
Third Corps
Second Division
Brigadier General Andrew A. HumphreysJuly 1. This Division was at Emmitsburg. Shortly after 3 p.m. marched by indirect route about two miles west of main road to Gettysburg, leaving Burling's Brigade.
July 2. Arrived at 1 a.m., and massed on Cemetery Ridge, between Birney's Division on the left and the 2d Corps. Burling's Brigade rejoined between 2 and 3 p.m. formed line of battle along the Emmitsburg Road to resist attack on Union left. its right opposite the left of Caldwell's Division, 2d. Corps. Its left joining Birney's Division. Carr's Brigade on the right, Brewster's Brigade massed on the left centre, Burling's Brigade in reserve until sent to General Birney. The Confederates made demonstrations on this Division front which remained in position after the 5th. and 6th. Corps had arrived on the Union left. Until about 6.30 p.m., when McLaws' Division follwoing the Confederate oblique order of battle. Broke Birney's line at the Peach Orchard uncovering the left of Humphreys, who changed front to connect with 2d. and 5th Corps troops in the Wheatfield. That line enfiladed by the enemy. Fell back across Plum Run while Humprheys outflanked by McLaws' Division and pressed by Anderson's Division Hill's Corps, gradually retired to Cemetery Ridge, reformed on 2d Corps left and drove the Confederates beyond the Emmitsburg Road, recovering abandoned artillery, capturing many prisoners, and holding the advanced position during the night.
July 3. Division moved to different points in the rear of 1st, 2d, 5th, and 6th Corps supporting threatened positions.
Casualties: Killed 26 officers, 286 men; Wounded 140 officers, 1422 men; Captured or missing 2 officers, 214 men; Total 2092.
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 Humphreys' US Division Tablet (1) 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 MN433.
From the nomination form:
Short Physical Description:
Rough-hewn monolith, 4'2"x2', 7' high. Bronze inscription tablet, 3'8"x3'6 3/4" mounted on polished face of monolith. Diamond-shaped bronze corps insignia attached above tablet.
Long Physical Description
Located on SE corner of Emmitsburg & Wheatfield Roads in Peach Orchard.
My Sources
1.
Draw the Sword
2.
NRHP Narrative
3.
Virtual Gettysburg
4.
Historical Marker Database
5.
Stone Sentinels