On June 30 the brigade bivouacked between Emmitsburg and Gettysburg, and when the firing commenced on the morning of July 1, was ordered to move by quick marches to the field. They marched 25 minutes and halted for 5 minutes until near Gettysburg. The Iron Brigade was the first Union infantry on the field. They turned off the road, and double-quicked over the crest of McPherson's Ridge and into Herbst's Woods, where they ran into advancing Confederate troops from Archer's Brigade. They traded volleys at close range until the Confederate's right flank was overlapped and they fell back. The Iron Brigade's troops gave chase and captured over 200 prisoners, including Archer.