Cashtown Inn Marker

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Cashtown in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cashtown Inn
Conference in the Road
— Gettysburg Campaign —

Cashtown Inn Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010

1. Cashtown Inn Marker

Inscription. (Top Sidebar):
After a stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia through Maryland into Pennsylvania, marching east to threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The Army of the Potomac marched north from the capital, searching for Lee. On July 1-3, the armies collided at Gettysburg in one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. Three days later, after a bloody defeat, the Confederates began retracing their steps to Virgina.

You are standing where Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. A.P. Hill stood on the morning of July 1, 1863, as they listened to the sounds of a growing battle in the distance, a few miles east, near Gettysburg. There, two Confederate infantry brigades clashed with two Union cavalry brigades and, because the armies were marching toward each other, the fighting intensified as additional troops arrived. Soon, the rest of Hill's corps hurried forward to join the fray.

This was not the first time that Confederates had marched past the Cashtown Inn. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had led his cavalrymen past this spot in October 1862 while on a raid. On this day, however, as tavernkeeper Jacob Mickley later wrote, "The entire rebel force under General Lee came down the Chambersburg Pike, passing within twenty feet of my bar room dore

Gettysburg and Vicinity, circa August 1863 Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010

2. Gettysburg and Vicinity, circa August 1863

[sic]." With thousands of hungry and thirsty Confederates marching by, it is no wonder that Mickley lost by his own account at wagon, a horse, a steer, 50 chickens, 100 apple trees, and 480 gallons of whiskey and brandy - more than $2,000 in damages.

(Right Sidebar):
Peter Mark probably constructed the brick building known as the Cashtown Inn between 1804 and 1806. In 1813, a new road was built between Chambersburg and Gettysburg, and the enterprising Mark applied for a tavern license in 1815. He operated a tavern here for the next three decades. Henry Mickley bought the building in 1854, and his son Jacob Mickley ran the establishment during the Civil War. He sold the inn to Daniel and Mary Heintzelman in 1864, and they operated it until 1890. More than ninety years later, after passing through the hands of many owners, the Cashtown Inn was restored. Today, the historic tavern continues to serve travelers and visitors to south-central Pennsylvania.

Erected 2009 by Civil War Trails.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails marker series.

Location. 39° 53.078′ N, 77° 21.625′ W. Marker is in Cashtown, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Chambersburg Road and

Cashtown Inn Marker at the Front Steps Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010

3. Cashtown Inn Marker at the Front Steps

High Street, on the right when traveling west on Chambersburg Road. Click for map. Located the front steps of the Cashtown Inn on Old U.S. Highway 30. Marker is in this post office area: Cashtown PA 17310, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Imboden's Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Roads West (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of School House and Burial Ground (approx. 1.3 miles away); Robertson's Brigade (approx. 2.7 miles away); Manor of Maske (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hugh Culbertson Farm (approx. 3.5 miles away); Mary Jemison (approx. 3.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Cashtown.

More about this marker. In the center is a painting titled "Serious Work Ahead," by Dale Gallon. It depicts the meeting discussed in the marker text. Gen. Robert E. Lee confers with Gen. A.P. Hill in front of the Cashtown Inn, July 1, 1863, as the Battle of Gettysburg begins. On the lower left is a period map indicating the location of the inn.

Also see . . . Adams County Taverns. Part four in a series of Gettysburg Daily articles looking at the taverns in Adams County, Pennsylvania. This installment focuses on the taverns along the Chambersburg Pike including the Cashtown Inn. (Submitted on January 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010

4. Cashtown Inn

The inn hosts both a Civil War Trails marker and a War Department Tablet on the front steps. To the left out of frame is a Pennsylvania state marker for the Gettysburg Campaign.

Road to Gettysburg Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010

5. Road to Gettysburg

The old highway road follows the course of the wartime Chambersburg Pike, leading to Gettysburg. Confederate infantry advanced down this road on July 1, making contact with Federal Cavalry to the west of Gettysburg. Throughout that day and the next, Confederate forces passed along the road as the Army of Northern Virginia concentrated at Gettysburg.