Timeline: Bliss Farm – The Battle of Gettysburg

Day 1 - July 1, 1863

9:45 pm – A picket detail of 200 men of the 16^th VT takes a position in the field west of the Emmitsburg Road and east of the Bliss Farm buildings. They relieve the last elements of Buford’s cavalry who, minutes earlier, had moved further to the south.

Day 2- July 2, 1863

5:40 am – Scales’ brigade, now commanded by Col. Wm. Lowrance, methodically advances from Seminary Ridge to a line midway between the ridge and the Emmitsburg Rd. The 38^th NC is on the far left of that line and takes a position in the fields surrounding the Bliss farm house and barn.
7:25 am – The 16^th VT, after having been on the skirmish line since before midnight, withdraws to Cemetery Ridge and rejoins their brigade.
8:20 am – Lowrance’s skirmishers/sharpshooters from the 38^th NC and 13^th NC, in the Bliss farm fields, begin targeting the newly arrived 1^st DE, 14^th CT and, Arnold’s battery just to the south of the Brian farm buildings on Cemetery Ridge.
8:55 am – The 1^st DE charges from Cemetery Ridge, takes control of the Bliss farm buildings and pushes back the 38^th NC and 13^th NC. The farm has changed hands for the first of nine times.
9:10-9:25 am – As Gibbon’s Second Corps division settles in on Cemetery Ridge, skirmishers move across the Emmitsburg Rd. into the fields just to the south east of the Bliss farm buildings. Two companies each from the 20^th MA, and 42^nd NY (Hall’s brigade); and the 72^nd PA and 106^th PA (Webb’s brigade).
9:25 am – Acting on a direct order from Gen. Meade, the 106^th PA Co. B is sent forward, and advances beyond the Bliss farm buildings, to ascertain whether the Confederates are in force on Seminary Ridge.
9:32-9:45 am – After “showing the commanding general what he was most anxiously wanting to know”, 106^th PA Co. B retired to a reserve position on the skirmish line.
9:40-10:10 am – The 19^th MS Co. A and the 16^th MS Co. C, both of Posey’s brigade, supported by fire from the 38^th NC, advance against the 1^st DE, pushing them back from the field north of the Bliss barn and house before eventually taking control of both. This is the second time the farm has changed hands.
9:50 am – As the 16^th MS Co. C swings around to the northeast side of the house, the right wing of the 1^st DE falls back to the south side of a stout fence along the Bliss farm lane that leads to the Emmitsburg Rd.
9:55-10:00 am – The 16^th MS Co. C shifts position in front of the Bliss farm house, moving to the southwest and flanking the 1^st DE’s right wing. They fall back toward the main skirmish line, withdrawing all the way to the Emmitsburg Rd.
10:00-10:10 am – From Hays’ Second Corps division, skirmishers from the 4^th OH (Carroll’s brigade) cross the Emmitsburg Rd. and take position northeast of the Bliss farm.
10:10-10:25 am – Skirmishers from the 111^th NY and 125^th NY (Willard’s brigade); and the 108^th NY (Smyth’s brigade) join the 4^th OH (Carroll’s brigade) across the Emmitsburg Rd.
10:08-10:15 am – With their right flank exposed by the withdrawal of the right wing, the 1^st DE left wing is forced to withdraw, leaving the Bliss house and barn under control of Posey’s skirmishers. The 1^st DE left wing rejoins the right wing at the Emmitsburg Road, except for Co. K, which takes a position on the right of the 106^th PA skirmish line.
10:25-10:35 am – The 39^th NY advances toward the Bliss farmyard, taking up position on the “right side”, and remained on the skirmish line for 4 hours.
11:03 am – Feeling the pressure of Confederate sharpshooters in and around the Bliss farm building, the 39^th NY begins to withdraw in disorder.
11:15-11:25 am – Gen. Hays rides out to the 39^th NY withdrawn skirmish line and bolsters their morale. Now convinced their line can be held, the 39^th NY returns to the area northeast of the Bliss farm house. They are joined on the left by the 12^th NJ Co. I, and the reorganized 1^st DE, including Co. K. The Union force pushes back the skirmishers of the 16^th MS and 19^th MS. The Confederates take up positions on the western edge of the Bliss orchard, while the Federals, excluding the 39^th NY, form their new line just to the west of the Bliss farm buildings. The farm has changed hands for the third time.
12:15 am – Lowrance’s skirmish line is relieved on its northern end by 16^th MS Co. B and 3^rd GA Co K. (Wright’s brigade, Anderson’s division).
1:55-1:10 pm – After nearly 4 hours on the skirmish line, the 39^th NY withdraws from the Bliss farm area, rejoining the brigade on Cemetery Ridge. Skirmishers from the 125^th NY and 111^th NY also withdraw at this time.
4:03-4:10 pm – Gen. Posey begins a process of strengthening his thin skirmish line. He is ordered to send two regiments to support the skirmish line, but only the right wing of the 19^th MS advances at this time with orders to drive back the Union skirmishers around the Bliss farm buildings.
4:10-4:15 pm – The right wing of the 19^th MS takes up skirmish positions behind the fence at the western boundary of the orchard. Emboldened by the arrival of the 19^th MS wing, the 16^th MS Co. C occupies the Bliss farm house.
4:11-4:25 pm – With ammunition being exhausted, but without orders, Lt. Col. Harris withdraws the right wing of the 1^st DE. For his action, he is placed under arrest by Gen. Hancock. The move triggers a subsequent withdrawal by the 1^st DE left wing and the 12^th NJ Co. I back to the Emmitsburg Rd.
4:20 pm – The 19^th MS right wing, including Cos. A and B, occupy the Bliss barn, the fourth change of hands.
4:27-4:30 pm – Now occupied by Posey’s Mississippians, the fire from the Bliss house and barn, after the withdrawal of the 1^st DE left wing, becomes very destructive to Co. A of the 106^th PA, and they give way.
4:30 pm – The withdrawal of the 106^th PA Co. A now leaves the right flanks of the 72th PA skirmish line exposed to the enfilading fire from the Bliss farm buildings. Capt. Lynch now in command of Co. B of the 106^th PA, is ordered to retake the farm buildings.
4:38-4:50 pm – Thinking there is only a small contingent of Rebels occupying the buildings, Lynch moves northward with only his Co B. The Confederates in the barn, over 200 men from the 19^th MS, allow the 106^th PA Co. B to advance very close to them, and then demand Lynch’s surrender. When Lynch refuses to do so, the Rebels open fire and drive Co. B back to the picket reserve.
5:00-5:10 pm – Four companies (B, E, G, & H) of the 12^th NJ are detailed to retake the Bliss barn. The column advances part way undetected due to the topography before forming a line of battle and charging. The survivors of the 106^th PA Co. B join the charge.
5:15 pm – Nearly an hour after sending out Col. Harris with the right wing of the 19^th MS, Posey sends the 48^th MS to the fields south of the Bliss barn.
5:15 pm – The 12^th NJ attacking force, along with 106^th PA Co. B, surrounds the Bliss barn and captures over 90 Confederates from the 16^th MS and 19^th MS.
5:20-5:25 pm – But while the 19^th MS right wing and the some of the 16^th MS skirmishers are forced to withdraw from the barn, the Rebels still control the house. Gen. Hays orders the Union skirmishers to, “Take the damn white house and hold it at all costs!” It is Capt. J. Parke Postles, of the 1^st DE, after a harrowing horseback ride from Cemetery Ridge to the barn, and while still on horseback and under fire, that verbally delivers that order. The 12^thNJ 4 companies occupy the Bliss house, driving out the balance of the Rebel skirmishers. For his deeds of valor Postles is awarded the Medal of Honor. Union troops take over the farm, the fifth time control of the buildings has changed.
5:31-5:40 pm – In response to the Federal seizure of the Bliss house and barn, Posey finally dispatches the balance of the 16^th MS. They take up position on the western edge of the Bliss orchard to the left of the 19^th MS.
5:39 pm – The arrival of the bulk of the 16^th MS on the Confederate skirmish line necessitates the four companies of the 12^th NJ, along with the 106^th PA Co. B, withdrawing from the Bliss farm buildings. With Confederates again in control it marks the sixth change.
6:28 pm – The left wing of the 19^th MS and the entire 12^th MS advance toward the Confederate skirmish line at the Bliss farm. They move out shortly after Wright’s brigade has swept forward on the left, intended to be the next element in Lee’s echelon attack, but the fragmented manner in which Posey has deployed his brigade becomes the first in a series of events that sputter this attack to an end.
6:30 pm – Wright’s brigade has come abreast of Posey’s skirmishers on the left, in the Bliss orchard. After briefly pausing at his skirmish line, to absorb the 2^nd GA skirmishers, Wright resumes his advance toward the Emmitsburg Road, and Posey’s heavy skirmish line joins the attack. The 19^th MS left wing and the 12^th MS lags behind.
6:33-6:45 pm – The 16^th MS, 19^th MS right wing and 48^th MS, on the front line, move forward toward the Emmitsburg Rd, as the 19^th MS left wing advances past the Bliss farm buildings, and the 12^th MS moves toward them.
6:35-6:45 pm – As the advance of Wright’s and Posey’s brigades draws closer, the 2^nd Corp skirmishers, who have been fighting for control of the Bliss farm since the early morning hours, are finally forced back to the Emmitsburg Road and beyond.
6:40-6:50 pm – Gen. Posey is with the 12^th MS and halts them when they reach the Bliss barn. He reports that his three other regiments are well in advance, with the 48^th MS reaching the Emmitsburg Rd. fence line, on the left of Wright’s brigade, but going no further. Because Mahone’s brigade does not advance in support on Posey’s left, the strong presence of Union skirmishers there plays a significant factor in the fact that the 19^th MS and 16^th MS halt their advance to the left rear of the 48^th MS, midway between the Bliss buildings and the Emmitsburg Rd.
8:15-8:25 pm – Posey orders his brigade back to Seminary Ridge and soon the 48^th MS begins to withdraw after holding their skirmish line position on the west side of the Emmitsburg Road for over an hour. As they head back to the western ridge they are joined by the 19^th MS, 16^th MS, and 12^th MS. Skirmishers from the 12^th MS are left behind in the Bliss farmyard.

Day 3- July 3, 1863

4:00 am – Skirmish companies from no less than five 2^nd Corp regiments cross the Emmitsburg Rd. and take up positions behind fences in the Bliss farm fields. Two companies of the 14^th CT, that have been on the skirmish line all night, are relieved.
7:10-7:15 am – Gen. Hays orders the 1^st DE to retake and “hold the barn at all hazards.” A detachment of 27 volunteers from the 1^st DE, along with 4 or 5 men from the 12^th NJ, led by Lt. Brady, charge towards the Bliss barn.
7:15-7:20 am – Skirmishers from the 12^th MS, firing from the slit windows in the barn deliver a withering fire, wounding nearly all of the Brady’s who are compelled to retire.
7:20-7:25 am – From Cemetery Ridge, Union artillery fire on the Bliss farm buildings covers the withdrawal of the small detachment of the 1^st DE. The 12^th MS skirmishers in the farm building are forced to withdraw back into the Bliss orchard.
7:35-7:40 am – Minutes after the brief Union artillery fires ends, the skirmisher from the 12^th MS return to the Bliss barn and house, and they resume sharpshooter fire at the Union line.
8:15-8:25 am – Companies A, C, D, F & K of the 12^th NJ are ordered to make the morning’s second attempt to drive out the skirmishers from the 12^th MS, who have been effectively harassing the 2^ndCorps infantry and batteries immediately to their front on Cemetery Ridge. A few volunteers from the 1^st DE rounded out the detachment of about 200 men rushing the Bliss buildings.
8:25-8:30 am – The charging skirmishers of the 12^th NJ and 1^st DE are enfiladed by fire from Thomas’ skirmishers along the banks of Steven’s Run, and behind fences along Long Lane. The 12^th MS can’t hold back the Union skirmishers, and the falls back in to the Bliss orchard. The bliss farm has changed hands for the seventh time.
8:40-8:50 am – Skirmishers from the 12^th MS in the Bliss orchard, and the 14^th GA in the Steven’s Run swale, reorganize and slowing advance back toward the house and barn; and in the process pressure the Union skirmishers within.
9:05-9:10 am – The increasing 12^th MS & 14^th GA rifle fire, coupled with the Confederate artillery shelling from batteries Seminary Ridge forces the 12^th NJ and 1^st DE to withdraw.
9:10-9:30 am – Skirmishers from the 12^th MS reoccupy the Bliss barn and house, the eighth change of hands; but the 12^th NJ and 1^st DE use covering fire from the 8^th OH to the northeast, to make their escape to the right, while at the same time firing on the Rebels in Steven’s Run swale. The skirmishers from Thomas’ brigade are forced to withdraw allowing the 12^th NJ/1^st DE detachment to successfully escape to the east.
9:30-9:35 am – Skirmishers from the 16^th MS arrive from Seminary Ridge to reinforce the 12^th MS soldiers occupying and firing from the Bliss house and barn.
10:10-10:35 am – Four companies from the 14^th CT are tasked with charging the Bliss farm buildings and, one more time, driving out the Rebels. They partially succeed when they drive the 12^th MS out of the barn, but the Union force is too small to retake the house.
10:40-10:55 am – An additional four companies of the 14^th CT are sent to reinforce the initial force. The additional men drive the Rebels from the house. Both the barn and house are again occupied by the Federal soldiers, marking the ninth and final time the farm has changed hands.
11:00-11:05 am – The Rebel skirmisher fire from three sides puts significant pressure on the 14^th CT. Mine-balls and artillery fire fragments easily pass thru the thin walls of the house, forcing the Union occupants to seek better cover in the stone barn where the situation is marginally better.
11:15-11:20 am – Union senior officers, forced to the realization that after 30 hours of charge and counter charge the troublesome farm buildings cannot be held, issue an order for them to be burned. A volunteer, Sgt. Hitchcock, of the 111^th NY, is sent. Carrying matches and the order, he zig-zags his way accross the fields to the farm to delivery them.
11:25-11:50 am – The detachment from the 14^th CT sets fire to the Bliss farm house and then the Bliss barn. After waiting a few minutes for the growing flames and smoke to be sufficient to cover their withdrawal, the Union skirmishers scamper back to Cemetery Ridge. The ensuing blaze totally destroys the Bliss farm house and barn.
3:05-3:30 pm – During Pickett’s charge, first Pettigrew’s brigade, followed minutes later by Davis’ brigade, and still later by Lane’s brigade, all have their respective lines disrupted by the still burning fires. The regiments of each brigade must clump together to get around the blazes, and then, once past them, halt and reorganize. As a result many soldiers do not go much passed the Steven’s Run swale, impacting the size and effectiveness of the Rebel units on this northern of the line that will reach Cemetery Ridge.