This monument, dedicated on October 28, 1885, marks the area where the 20th Indiana Infantry engaged the Confederates in the Rose Woods on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 2, 1863). The unit, commanded Colonel John Wheeler, was moved from its position along Cemetery Ridge to the Rose Woods area east of Devil's Den when the III Corps line was extended. The regiment was then attacked along with the rest of its brigade (Ward's) around 4PM. After withstanding withering Confederate fire, the regiment on its right, the 99th Pennsylvania, was ordered to leave its position to defend Devil's Den itself. The 20th Indiana then extended its line right in an attempt to fill the gap left by the Pennsylvanians. In a space of 25 minutes the unit sustained 146 casualties (out of a present 286 soldiers). Colonel Wheeler was shot in his temple and instantly killed while riding his horse behind his soldiers' battle line. The command went to Lieutenant Colonel William C.L. Taylor, who himself was soon wounded, giving command to Captain Erasmus C. Gilbreath. The Indiana troopers continued to hold their line until they completely ran out of ammunition, and only moved back when the last of their cartridges were shot. It retreated to the center of the Union Army, where it was on the Third Day of the battle, supporting Union artillery batteries. The regiment lost 20 men killed (including Company C's 1st Lieutenant Ezra B. Robbins in addition to Colonel Wheeler), 115 wounded and 11 missing. Private Oliver P. Rood of Company B captured the flag of the 21st North Carolina Infantry during Picket's Charge and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his deed.
This monument, dedicated on October 28, 1885, marks the area where the 20th Indiana Infantry engaged the Confederates in the Rose Woods on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 2, 1863). The unit, commanded Colonel John Wheeler, was moved from its position along Cemetery Ridge to the Rose Woods area east of Devil's Den when the III Corps line was extended. The regiment was then attacked along with the rest of its brigade (Ward's) around 4PM. After withstanding withering Confederate fire, the regiment on its right, the 99th Pennsylvania, was ordered to leave its position to defend Devil's Den itself. The 20th Indiana then extended its line right in an attempt to fill the gap left by the Pennsylvanians. In a space of 25 minutes the unit sustained 146 casualties (out of a present 286 soldiers). Colonel Wheeler was shot in his temple and instantly killed while riding his horse behind his soldiers' battle line. The command went to Lieutenant Colonel William C.L. Taylor, who himself was soon wounded, giving command to Captain Erasmus C. Gilbreath. The Indiana troopers continued to hold their line until they completely ran out of ammunition, and only moved back when the last of their cartridges were shot. It retreated to the center of the Union Army, where it was on the Third Day of the battle, supporting Union artillery batteries. The regiment lost 20 men killed (including Company C's 1st Lieutenant Ezra B. Robbins in addition to Colonel Wheeler), 115 wounded and 11 missing. Private Oliver P. Rood of Company B captured the flag of the 21st North Carolina Infantry during Picket's Charge and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his deed.
Bio by: RPD2
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