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By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008 | |
| | | 1. The Battle of Fountain Dale Marker | | |
Inscription. Fountain Dale is located between Jack's Mountain and Beard's Hill, and is also connected to two major mountain gaps, Monterey Pass and Fairfield Gap, which would prove to be fighting ground all of it's own. Troops on both sides needed to keep the mountain gaps open for communication purposes, especially the Confederates in case of a retreat. Scouts and pickets used the outskirts of Fountain Dale to see the movements of troops that were coming from the direction of Emmitsburg, Fairfield and also Greencastle. Union General John Buford recorded and watched the Confederate invasion from Fountain Dale.
A small band of the Keystone Rangers (Co. "C", Coles Cavalry) under the command of Lt. William Horner volunteered themselves for scouting duty near Fairfield. On June 28th, a small mounted Confederate detail was searching for supplies and fresh horses when it was spotted by Horner's men. A clash then erupted between the two details. Sergeant Oliver A. Horner later recalled, "Fifteen of the Confederate Raiders were captured and some 20 horses were recovered". Some farms in the area reported horses, livestock and clothing being confiscated by these Confederate soldiers. Local residents were also encouraged to take inventory of their livestock and to report any missing animals to the local sheriff.
The second battle of Fountain Dale | | | | 
By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008 | |
| | | 2. The Battle of Fountain Dale Marker | | |
took place on July 4th, during the retreat of the Confederate forces from Gettysburg. Kilpatrick's Federal Cavalry Division charged through the town of Fountain Dale, while the Confederate wagons were retreating from Gettysburg under the command of General Imboden. At Fountain Dale, the 1st Michigan Cavalry occupied the road leading from the right of town to Fairfield Gap, where the enemy was found.
A little before 9:00 pm the Federals came in contact with the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry under Captain Emack stationed near Fountain Dale with one cannon. At 9:00 pm Captain Emack ordered his small band of troops with only one cannon to attack the Federals. By 3:30 am General Kilpatrick and his men had pushed the Confederates back and gained the mountain summit.
Location. 39° 44.704′ N, 77° 27.244′ W. Marker is near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Waynesboro Road and Iron Springs Road, on the right when traveling north on Old Waynesboro Road. Click for map. Located in the parking lot of the Fountain Dale Volunteer Fire Department. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1340 Old Waynesboro Road, Fairfield PA 17320, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Monterey Academy (approx. 1.2 miles away); Old Trolley Line (approx. 3.3 miles away); "Tapeworm Railroad" (approx. 4.7 miles away); Army of the Potomac (approx. 5.4 miles away); Field Hospital (approx. 5.4 miles away); John Wallace, Jr. (approx. 6.1 miles away); Nearby On This Tract of Land Called Mount Vernon (approx. 6.1 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 6.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Fairfield. | | | | 
By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Initial Contact | | General Kilpatrick's troopers first encountered pickets of Captain Emack's Marylanders while advancing up the hill beyond the marker's location. | | |
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a portrait of Sergeant Oliver Horner.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Monterey Pass. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Association provides an excellent driving tour guide of the area. (Submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Battle for Fairfield Pass. Article detailing the fighting in nearby Fairfield Pass. (Submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page originally submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 933 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. Submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. |
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