26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment-- Part 2

In 1863, the 26th was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Lee.  It was the largest and best-trained regiment present in General Pettigrew's brigade which was attached to A.P. Hill's Second Corps.

On the first day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, the 26th was engaged at McPherson's Ridge and suffered heavy casualties fighting the Iron Brigade's 24th Michigan (which suffered the most casualties of any Union regiment at the battle).  Colonel Henry King Burgwyn and their lieutenant colonel were killed. Altogether, the 26th suffered 588 (86 killed and 502 wounded) casualties of the 800 men it brought into battle.  But they forced the 24th Michigan to retire.

Another 120-136 men from the 26th would become casualties on the third day during Pickett's Charge.

--Old Secesh