The peaceful serenity that now cradles the majestic Philadelphia Brigade monument belies the horrors that awaited their men this day in 1862. Comprised of the 69th, 71st, 72nd and 106th PA regiments and lead by Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard, they would lose 545 during this one battle. As the morning phase of the battle progressed and the attacks of Union Generals Hooker then Mansfield died away, Union Major General Edwin V. Sumner led his men across the battlefield towards the Confederates in the west woods. Unaware of the approaching southern reinforcements, upon entering the woods, his men would be caught in a crossfire, suffering mightily at the hands of stalwart troops led by Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Colonel Joshua T. Owen of the 69th Pennsylvania, described the incident as follows. "At this juncture, General Sumner appeared in person in the midst of a most deadly shower of shot and shell, and an order was received to fall back. With some confusion upon the left, the brigade retired. The Sixty-ninth, One hundred and sixth, and Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers retired in good order; the Seventy-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, however, being on the extreme left, subjected to a heavier fire, and the first to encounter the panic-stricken fugitives from the left, did not retire in the same good order as the other three regiments..." [9]

By war's end, this one Brigade would endure 3,409 casualties total out of 5,320 men, an eternal testament to their bravery. These same regiments, especially the 69th Pennsylvania, would later stubbornly hold their ground along Cemetery Ridge during Pickett's Charge on Day 3 of the Battle of Gettysburg.