Stu Dempsey, a licensed battlefield guide, shares his personal connection to the brigade, as two of his ancestors served in the 73rd Ohio Infantry and died at Gettysburg. He provides historical context for the brigade, detailing its formation, regimental composition (55th Ohio, 73rd Ohio, 136th New York, and 33rd Massachusetts), and service history prior to Gettysburg, including the Second Battle of Bull Run. Colonel Orland Smith's background as a railroad man and his respected leadership are also highlighted.

The video explains that Smith's Brigade arrived late on July 1st and served as a reserve on Cemetery Hill, experiencing minimal casualties. The main focus shifts to their actions on July 2nd and 3rd, where they occupied positions along the Taneytown Road and engaged in continuous, fierce skirmishing against Confederate sharpshooters, primarily from Perrin's Brigade, along Smith's Ridge. This back-and-forth fighting resulted in heavy casualties for Smith's Brigade, especially the 73rd Ohio and 136th New York, despite not being a large-scale battleline engagement.

The discussion also covers the strategic importance of Cemetery Hill, the decision-making of Union commanders like Reynolds and Howard on July 1st, and the nature of sharpshooter units in the Civil War. The video concludes by noting the brigade's post-Gettysburg history in the Western Theater and reiterating the continuous, intense nature of the fighting on Smith's Ridge.