2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment

The monument to the Second Delaware Infantry Regiment is on Brooke Avenue southeast of the Rose Farm (above right). A marker showing the position of the regiment's skirmish line during Pickett's Charge is on Hancock Avenue southwest of the Brian Farm (below right). (See map)

The main monument was dedicated by the State of delaware in 1885 and the skirmish line marker in 1886.

The regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel William P. Baily until he was wounded on July 2nd. Captain Charles H. Christman then took over.

The 2nd Delaware brought 280 men to Gettysburg, of whom 11 were killed, 61 wounded and 12 missing.

The monument was dedicated on June 10, 1886 and marks the location in the Rose Woods that the regiment reached as part of its charge through the Wheatfield on the left flank of Brooke's brigade. The regiment captured a number of Rebel prisoners here, but was forced to pull back in a fighting withdrawal to the Trostle Woods. Here it came under heavy artillery fire, and Colonel Baily was wounded.

The diamond on the monument does not refer to the symbol of the 3rd Union Army Corps as on many other Gettysburg monuments, but to Delaware's nickname as the "Diamond State."

From the monument:

Position
held by
the 2nd Reg.
Del. Vol.
Infantry
4th Brig. 1st Div.
2nd Army Corps.
July 2nd
1863.

Erected by the State of
Delaware to commemorate
the gallantry of
her sons A.D.
1885

From the marker:

Skirmish line
of
2nd Reg. Del. Vols.
July 3rd 1863

The 2nd Delaware is also honored by a monument at Antietam.

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