I have posted portions of the battle report of Colonel William Robinson (OR Series 1, Volume XXVII, Part 1, Page 278), commander of the 7th Wisconsin concerning his regiments actions on the first day. Robinson mentions crossing the small rivulet running through the ravine in front of the 7th and advancing to the top of the hill on the other side during the morning of the 1st. If you look at maps of that area there is a hill on the west side of Willoughby Run, but the ground drops into a swale before rising again to the top of Herr's Ridge. Robinson indicates his men were only on the hill a short time before withdrawing under orders. The Emanuel Harman farm, a little further south of the same hill, was occupied by a couple of New York infantry companies at this time. Colonel Henry Morrow of the 24th Michigan also mentioned advancing to the top of the hill in his report.
At 2:30 p.m. +/- Pettigrew's men cleared the Harman Farm before the main Confederate attack on the 1st Corps along McPherson's Ridge. IMO the Iron Brigade never reached the top of Herr's Ridge. They briefly occupied the unnamed hill in front and had returned to the east side of Willoughby Run before Pettigrew took position. I cannot say if the hill on the west bank is considered part of Herr's Ridge.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS,
November 18
, 1863
.
Capt. J. D. WOOD,
Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under my command, in the engagement at Gettysburg on July 1: .....
In the meantime the Second Wisconsin--which was next in front of me in column, in its evolution into line was formed to my right and the length of the battalion in advance; this threw them behind the grove before mentioned, into which they advanced without halting--had engaged the enemy. My right was now resting near this grove, with the Nineteenth and Twenty-fourth on my left.
Immediately in [front], and running parallel to and about 200 yards from my front, was a ravine, through which runs a small rivulet; from this ravine a heavy fire was opened. I was at first uncertain, in the dense smoke and from the near proximity of the fire, whether it was the enemy or the
left wing of the Second Wisconsin.
At this moment Captain Wadsworth, of the division staff, rode up from the right. I asked could he tell what troops those were firing in the ravine. He pointed a little farther to the left up the ravine (where I saw the rebel battle-flag), and said it was the enemy, and that
the general directed that we should drive them out. I moved the line forward to the
crest of the ridge, delivered a volley, and gave the order to charge.
The three regiments--Seventh Wisconsin, Nineteenth Indiana, and Twenty-fourth Michigan--rushed into the ravine with a yell. The enemy--what was left of them able to walk--threw down their arms, ducked through between our files, and passed to the rear. We moved up the opposite bank to the top of the hill, where I halted the line. In this charge we passed by and beyond the position occupied by the Second Wisconsin in the grove. We had occupied our new position but a few minutes when Captain Richardson, of the brigade staff, brought an order to change front to the rear on the left battalion. While this evolution was being executed, General Meredith came up, and directed me to place my regiment in the grove on the right of the Second. I took the position indicated, my right resting on the open fields, and threw out skirmishers to the front. In this position we lay some hours under a severe artillery fire. From my position I could see the movements of the enemy in our front. .....
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. W. ROBINSON,
Colonel, Commanding Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers.
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