As noted previously, Colonel Brockenbrough’s Brigade was on the left of Pettigrew’s line and was either faltering or already in retreat. Sawyer described his movements in his report:

I advanced my reserve to the picket front, and as the rebel line came within about 100 yards, we poured in a well-directed fire, which broke the rebel line, and it soon fled in the wildest confusion. Being relieved from this direction, I changed front forward on the left company, thus presenting our front to the left flank of the advancing rebel column. Our fire was poured into their flank with terrible effect for a few minutes before the Second Brigade at the battery opened, but almost instantly on the fire from the front, together with the concentrated fire from our batteries, the whole mass gave way, some fleeing to the front, some to the rear, and some through our lines, until the whole plain was covered with unarmed rebels, waving coats, hats, and handkerchiefs in token of a wish to surrender. 4

Sawyer later elaborated that as Brockenbrough approached, most of the 8th Ohio joined the picket line and the Buckeyes then did a “left wheel…and formed facing the line of the rebel left flank, which was now seen passing between us and the Bliss premises.” Sawyer said the initial Rebel fire was brisk and often terrific “mostly from unseen foes,” a possible reference to enemy troops in Long Lane, “but our fire apparently caused Brockenbrough to draw off to his right, and we certainly drove out the skulking fellows who had first fired upon us. At all events there was now no way of retreat- we must take our chances where we stood- our blood was up, and the men loaded and fired and yelled and howled at the passing column.” 5

Private Thomas Galway recorded, “from the first it was easy to see the difference between the mettle of these men and those of Pickett’s glorious column. Two or three times Pender’s [Trimble’s] line hesitated” as Federal artillery bursts “were now actually tearing their ranks to pieces…We so galled them with our fire that a panic soon took hold of them and they fled, back to the low ridge.” 6

As nearby Union artillery on the slopes of Cemetery Ridge joined Sawyer’s regiment in pouring “a sheet of flame” into the faltering Confederates, the Yankees could hear shouts of “Close up!” ringing out from inside the growing dust clouds. “Above the turmoil of battle we could hear curses, shouts, shrieks, and could see hats, guns, legs, arms and mutilated carcasses hurled out [of the dust cloud] into the less murky atmosphere.” Sawyer and his officers “watched this scene in utter amazement- not a word was spoken- we stood with bated breath.” 7 On another occasion Sawyer described, “Arms, heads, blankets, guns, knapsacks were thrown and tossed into the clear air. Their track, as they advanced, was strewn with dead and wounded.” 8

Although some of Brockenbrough’s officers left fanciful accounts suggesting that they actually reached the Federal lines, the evidence suggests they did not advance beyond the Bliss property. Captain Dunaway, Brockenbrough’s Brigade adjutant, added: “I feel no shame in recording that out of this corner the men, without waiting for orders turned and fled, for the bravest soldiers cannot endure to be shot at simultaneously from front and side. They knew that to remain, or to advance, meant wholesale death and captivity.” 9

Once Colonel Brockenbrough’s Brigade had been disposed of, the left flank of Davis’s Brigade became Sawyer’s next target as soon did Lane’s Brigade in the rear line. Although the 8th Ohio has historically received the lion’s share of accolades for raining lead on Pettigrew and Trimble’s disintegrating left, they were assisted by portions of several other regiments and skirmishers, including the 108th and 126th New York, 1st Massachusetts Sharpshooters, and Woodruff’s battery.10

Combined with the fire that George Stannard’s Vermont brigade was meanwhile pouring into Kemper’s right flank on the other end of the field, the Federals had succeeded in catching both of Longstreet’s flanks in a double envelopment. Defeat was officially in progress for Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

“Almost as suddenly as the fray commenced- it slackened, ceased,” said Colonel Sawyer. The dust clouds lifted and “the western slope of Cemetery Ridge for hundreds of yards was covered with the rebel dead and dying.” The regiment was then nearly overwhelmed by more Rebels, this time being those “who came down upon us” to surrender. “We had no trouble with them – they took kindly to the situation.” Sawyer initially reported bagging about 200 prisoners although he later inflated this number. He also reported 102 casualties but later added that an additional eight had been wounded. These 110 casualties on approximately 209 engaged would give the 8th Ohio a casualty rate in excess of 50%, a high but worthy price to pay for their role in stopping the assault. 11

The 8th Ohio’s regimental monument has the distinction of being the farthest forward (west of the Emmitsburg Road) of any Union regiment engaged in the July 3 defense. This was obviously a source of pride to Sawyer and his veterans. 12 The monument’s position is generally considered inaccurate as a representation of where the regiment helped repulse Pettigrew’s left. The monument states that the 8th “took this position” on July 2 and “held it” through Longstreet’s July 3 assault. Sawyer stated at the monument dedication (September 1887) that the memorial is situated where they had placed the regimental “headquarters” on the afternoon of July 2 after capturing the road but the fighting afterwards “was considerably in advance and to the west of this point.” 13

Others have argued that the monument should actually be several hundred feet north of the present site. Colonel Carroll stated in his report that the 8th Ohio had relieved several companies of the 4th Ohio from skirmish duty on July 2. The 4th Ohio’s often overlooked monument, with the inevitable “advanced to this position” inscription, is approximately 340 feet northeast of the 8th Ohio monument, albeit on the opposite (east) side of the Emmitsburg Road.

Several of the veterans contended there was a deep cut in the Emmitsburg Road about 500 feet north of the 8th’s monument and that this point approximated the regiment’s center. Colonel Carroll’s report also stated that the brigade’s line on July 2 was between Woodruff’s battery on the left and the Taneytown Road on the right which would also be inconsistent with the monument’s current position. 14 A site 500 feet north of the present monument would roughly place the regimental center between the current and long-standing “General Pickett’s Buffet” restaurant and the neighboring establishment on modern Steinwehr Avenue. The precise location of the 8th Ohio may seem trivial to casual observers, but understanding their correct position allows for a better understanding of the length of Pettigrew and Trimble’s battle lines and a greater appreciation of the true scope of this attack.