Colonel Charles Coster

On the afternoon of July 1st, Col. Charles Coster led a delaying tactic against advancing Confederates from the north of Gettysburg. Less than a mile to his rear was high ground known as Culp’s Hill, a strategic advantage for the remainder of the battle. Coster’s stand in the brickyard was inevitably brief. His men had time to fire only six to nine shots apiece before being overrun. With his regiment badly shot up and in danger, the order was given to retreat. While suffering more than 700 casualties, Coster’s action had the desired effect. Union troops secured Culp’s Hill.