This monument, dedicated on June 30, 1888, stands in the area on Wiekert Hill where the 1st New Jersey Brigade (1st Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps) was stationed after arriving on the field on July 2, 1863, and during the third day of the Battle. The brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Alfred T.A. Torbert, and consisting of the 1st, 2nd 3rd, and 15th New Jersey Infantry regiments, was held in reserve with the bulk of the VI Corps, ready to fill any breech in the Union line that would have been caused by Pickett's Charge. The 4th New Jersey Infantry, normally a part of the brigade, was detached to guard the Army's wagon trains. The only casualties sustained by the unit during the Battle were from light skirmishing and stray artillery rounds from the Confederate pre-Charge cannonade, which resulted in 2 men being killed. The monument, unlike most Gettysburg memorials, honors the unit for its whole Civil War service, not just at Gettysburg. The 1st New Jersey Brigade was formed before the Battle of First Bull Run, and fought in or was present for every action of the Army of the Potomac up to the surrender at Appomattox, gaining fame as a hard-fighting unit. First commanded by General Philip Kearny, its successive commanders were Brigadier General George W. Taylor, General Torbert, Colonel Henry W. Brown, and Brrigadier General General William H. Penrose. During its tenure of service the 10th, 23rd, and 40th New Jersey Infantry regiments were attached to it at different times. Over 13,000 New Jerseyans served in the Brigade during the war, and it sustained the 4th highest total of casualties for any brigade in the entire Union Army. Five 1st New Jersey Brigade soldiers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery during the war (Charles Hopkins and William Brant - 1st NJ, Edmund English - 2nd NJ, John P. Beech, - 4th NJ, Frank Fesq - 40th NJ).
This monument, dedicated on June 30, 1888, stands in the area on Wiekert Hill where the 1st New Jersey Brigade (1st Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps) was stationed after arriving on the field on July 2, 1863, and during the third day of the Battle. The brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Alfred T.A. Torbert, and consisting of the 1st, 2nd 3rd, and 15th New Jersey Infantry regiments, was held in reserve with the bulk of the VI Corps, ready to fill any breech in the Union line that would have been caused by Pickett's Charge. The 4th New Jersey Infantry, normally a part of the brigade, was detached to guard the Army's wagon trains. The only casualties sustained by the unit during the Battle were from light skirmishing and stray artillery rounds from the Confederate pre-Charge cannonade, which resulted in 2 men being killed. The monument, unlike most Gettysburg memorials, honors the unit for its whole Civil War service, not just at Gettysburg. The 1st New Jersey Brigade was formed before the Battle of First Bull Run, and fought in or was present for every action of the Army of the Potomac up to the surrender at Appomattox, gaining fame as a hard-fighting unit. First commanded by General Philip Kearny, its successive commanders were Brigadier General George W. Taylor, General Torbert, Colonel Henry W. Brown, and Brrigadier General General William H. Penrose. During its tenure of service the 10th, 23rd, and 40th New Jersey Infantry regiments were attached to it at different times. Over 13,000 New Jerseyans served in the Brigade during the war, and it sustained the 4th highest total of casualties for any brigade in the entire Union Army. Five 1st New Jersey Brigade soldiers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery during the war (Charles Hopkins and William Brant - 1st NJ, Edmund English - 2nd NJ, John P. Beech, - 4th NJ, Frank Fesq - 40th NJ).
Bio by: RPD2
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