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Pennsylvania Civil War Trails Historical Markers

 
Cashtown Inn Marker image, Touch for more information
By Craig Swain, January 30, 2010
Cashtown Inn Marker
1 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Cashtown, Franklin Township — Cashtown InnConference in the Road — Gettysburg Campaign —
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 . . . Map (db m27034) HM
2 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Caught In The CrossfireShrivers' Home Becomes Sharpshooters' Nest
Imagine having to flee your home because the largest battle of the Civil War roared onto your doorstep. That is exactly what happened to Hettie Shriver and daughters, Sadie (5) and Mollie (3). George and Hettie Shriver moved into this new home in . . . Map (db m227901) HM
3 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Hub of HistoryGettysburg's Train Station — Gettysburg Campaign —
The building before you, Gettysburg's iconic train station, played a key role in both misery and grandeur associated with the Battle of Gettysburg. On June 30, 1863, even before vicious fighting began, Union cavalry Gen. John Buford established . . . Map (db m227770) HM
4 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Lee's Headquarters at GettysburgClimax on Seminary Ridge
"On every side the passion, rage and frenzy of fearless men or reckless boys devoted to slaughter or doomed to death! The same sun that a day before had been shining to cure the wheat-sheaves of the harvest of peace, now glared to . . . Map (db m99768) HM
5 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Lee's Headquarters at GettysburgLife on Seminary Ridge
"Three more acres or less on which are erected a one and a half story stone dwelling house and frame stable … directed and sold and struck off the same unto Thaddeus Stevens, trustee of Mary Thompson, for the sum of sixteen . . . Map (db m99848) HM
6 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Lee's Headquarters at GettysburgRestoring Seminary Ridge
"This is without a doubt the most important preservation effort we've yet undertaken." —Jim Lighthizer, President, Civil War Trust
In the decades after the battle, the Thompson House became a popular . . . Map (db m99896) HM
7 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg — Lee's Headquarters at GettysburgThe Headquarters Complex
"This house was within the Rebel lines. Occupying an elevated position from which the Federal lines could be seen with a field glass, and being at a safe distance from our guns, it was selected by General Lee and his staff as his . . . Map (db m100012) HM
8 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg, Cumberland Township — Prelude To Gettysburg / Gettysburg Showdown
Prelude to Gettysburg One of the great debates of our Country's history and legacy is what scholars call "the two Civil Wars": the first a matter of campaigns, generals, and troop movements and the second focusing on the ways that the great . . . Map (db m11746) HM
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9 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Gettysburg, Straban Township — Battle of Hunterstown
In the first three days of July 1863, 165,000 soldiers converged on Gettysburg, leaving their mark forever on its land, buildings, and people. Like sparks from a bonfire, fights strayed far outside the town. One encounter took place in . . . Map (db m27035) HM
10 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Littlestown — Littlestown"Fair ladies … long live in peace, prosperity and happiness" — Gettysburg Campaign —
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 . . . Map (db m147271) HM
11 Pennsylvania, Adams County, Round Top, Cumberland Township — Gettysburg CampaignInvasion & Retreat
After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war north to Pennsylvania. After more than three weeks of marching through the Shenandoah Valley and western . . . Map (db m26410) HM
12 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Carlisle — Dickinson Students Part Ways
Before the war, the student body of Dickinson College was fairly evenly divided between Northern and Southern students, and thus the college was represented by soldiers on both sides of the conflict. The split is reflected in an autograph book in . . . Map (db m35162) HM
13 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Carlisle — Prelude to Gettysburg
One of the great debates of our Country's history and legacy is what scholars call "the two Civil Wars": the first a matter of campaigns, generals, and troop movements and the second focusing on the ways that the great conflict affected the daily . . . Map (db m167853) HM
14 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Carlisle — Shelling of Carlisle
James Sullivan, fifteen years old at the time of the shelling of Carlisle on July 1, 1863, stated, "...Mother...convinced of the bombardment...decided we had better get away from our part of town...She...set out with her two reluctant children up . . . Map (db m30293) HM
15 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Mechanicsburg — Occupation of Mechanicsburg
By mid-June 1863, communities in Cumberland County knew the Confederate Army was approaching. Residents began to flee to relative safety across the Susquehanna River. Freight cars came from Harrisburg to help move goods out of reach of the Rebels. . . . Map (db m169186) HM
16 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Mount Holly Springs — First Casualty In Cumberland County
Cumberland County resident Charles G. Beetem, a Civil War tragedy: "On April 23, 1861, my brother, William Luther Beetem, at the age of 20, was the first Carlisle man to give his life in [the] war on a tour of duty." At one o’clock in the . . . Map (db m202162) HM
17 Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Shippensburg — Occupation of Shippensburg
The first major military engagement in Cumberland County during the Civil War took place in Shippensburg in the week leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. As the action moved close to Shippensburg many in the town climbed onto their rooftops to . . . Map (db m202168) HM
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18 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Capital Of The Keystone State Preserved!Harrisburg
Harrisburg was one of the prizes Robert E. Lee’s army was after. Home to Camp Curtin, the largest Northern training camp of the war, Harrisburg’s network of railroads was vital for moving troops and supplies for the Union war effort. The capital of . . . Map (db m102317) HM
19 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Harrisburg CemeteryHarrisburg — Civil War Trails —
Harrisburg Cemetery holds the remains of many famous Pennsylvanians, including those who contributed to the Commonwealth's and the Union's military and anti-slavery efforts prior to, and during, the Civil War. Union and Confederate soldiers wounded . . . Map (db m137426) HM
20 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Market Square During The Civil War
By the 1860s, many railroad lines met in Harrisburg. Agricultural products, industrial raw materials, and factory-finished goods moved through Harrisburg on the way to every part of the nation. Throughout the Civil War, the Union army depended on . . . Map (db m102324) HM
21 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Prelude To Gettysburg
One of the great debates of our Country's history and legacy is what scholars call "the two Civil Wars": the first a matter of campaigns, generals, and troop movements and the second focusing on the ways that the great conflict affected the daily . . . Map (db m102319) HM
22 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — The Ladies Of Harrisburg During The Civil War Reported missing
From virtually the first shots of the Civil War, the women of Harrisburg worked in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles that proved essential to the Union victory. When Camp Curtin opened on April 18, 1861, the ladies of Harrisburg were already at . . . Map (db m102269) HM
23 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Thomas Morris Chester
Thomas Morris Chester was born at the corner of Third and Market Streets in Harrisburg in 1834. One of Harrisburg’s most famous nineteenth century African-Americans, he was particularly known for his leadership in education, journalism, military . . . Map (db m102315) HM
24 Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Harrisburg — Threatened Invasion of Harrisburg
General Robert E. Lee decided to take the war into the North in June 1863, allowing Southern farmers an uninterrupted growing season, and perhaps convincing European powers to aid the Confederacy. As the rebels invaded Pennsylvania, Harrisburg made . . . Map (db m102338) HM
25 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Blue Ridge Summit, Washington Township — 10,000 Soldiers Fight at Monterey PassFranklin
During a fierce thunderstorm on the evening of July 4, 1863, a nine-mile-long wagon train of supplies, livestock and wounded soldiers made its way from Fairfield through Monterey Pass. This was the advance of the Confederate retreat column from . . . Map (db m134763) HM
26 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Chambersburg — Abolitionist John Brown Boards in ChambersburgFranklin — Civil War Trails —
Preparing for the raid on Harpers Ferry arsenal, John Brown came to Chambersburg in the summer of 1859 wearing a beard as a disguise and using the alias of Isaac Smith. He took up residence at Mary Ritner’s boarding house on East King Street, . . . Map (db m201726) HM
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27 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Chambersburg — Flashpoint for InvasionFranklin County's Civil War
With its Southern border on the Mason-Dixon Line, and located in the middle of the Great Valley that stretched back through Maryland to Virginia, Franklin County became a Civil War hotspot. Even before war came this way, abolitionist John . . . Map (db m242171) HM
28 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Chambersburg — The Burning of ChambersburgFranklin — Civil War Trails —
During the Gettysburg campaign, Confederate troops were restrained, under orders, from destroying non-government property. By the time of the Rebels’ next raid into the North, however, the policy had changed. On July 30, 1864, Brigadier . . . Map (db m201727) HM
29 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Chambersburg — The Greatest Sacrifice / Prelude to Gettysburg
The Greatest Sacrifice Chambersburg The price of war is devastation. Franklin County paid the price when its county seat, Chambersburg, was burned to the ground in 1864. Invaded in 1862, 1863, and 1864 by Confederate forces, Franklin . . . Map (db m201757) HM
30 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Greencastle — The First Soldier to Fall
When General Robert E. Lee’s invading army overran the Union garrison at Winchester, Virginia, on June 15, 1863, elements of the 1st New York “Lincoln” Cavalry covered the retreat. Company C, under Captain William Boyd, continued to harass the . . . Map (db m34162) HM
31 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Mercersburg — Ambush at Mercersburg
On July 3, 1863, three Confederate riders in Mercersburg’s town square were ambushed by two Union stragglers. Bullets passed through Private J.W. Alban, killing him and also the horse of the rider beside him. The third man quickly galloped out of . . . Map (db m202813) HM
32 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Mercersburg — Steiger House at Mercersburg
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart, during the first Chambersburg Raid (October 1862), stopped in Mercersburg at Bridgeside, the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Steiger. He intended to use the house as his headquarters while his troops rounded up . . . Map (db m201762) HM
33 Pennsylvania, Franklin County, Mercersburg — Zion Union Cemetery
Eighty-eight African Americans from Mercersburg volunteered to defend the Union during the Civil War. At least 36 of those veterans lie in Mercersburg Zion Union Cemetery, established in 1876 by local Black citizens. By 1850 Mercersburg had 26 . . . Map (db m44650) HM
34 Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Columbia — First National Bank
The Columbia Bridge Company was formed in 1811 and began to raise money for a bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville. This business served as the first bank in the community, and by 1814 had used its profits to build the first . . . Map (db m122597) HM
35 Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Columbia — Prelude to Gettysburg / A Desperate Plan
(side 1) Prelude to Gettysburg One of the great debates of our Country's history and legacy is what scholars call "the two Civil Wars": the first a matter of campaigns, generals, and troop movements and the second focusing on the . . . Map (db m122592) HM
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36 Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Columbia — Railroads During the Civil WarRivertowns — Civil War Trails —
Columbia's strategic position would have made it a fine prize for an invading Southern army bent on disrupting vital communications and supply lines in the North. Railroads connected Columbia with Philadelphia, York, and Harrisburg, and canal . . . Map (db m167923) HM
37 Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Columbia, West Hempfield Township — Pennsylvania's Iron Industry Fuels Progress and VictoryCivil War Trails Reported damaged
During the Civil War an industrial complex existed on the floodplain along the Susquehanna River between Marietta and Columbia which included eight anthracite-fired iron furnaces and the canal and railroad facilities which served them. This . . . Map (db m205657) HM
38 Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Marietta — Women in MariettaCivil War Trails
Marietta women demonstrated their patriotism during the Civil War by forming organizations such as The Ladies Patriotic Circle and The Ladies Social Knitting Society of Marietta. The Lancaster Express reported on June 14, 1862, that, “the . . . Map (db m135253) HM
39 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Battle of Hanover”Hanover saved the fate of the nation.” — Gettysburg Campaign —
(preface) 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 Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, . . . Map (db m181230) HM
40 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Battle of HanoverConfederates Invade Free Soil — Gettysburg Campaign —
(preface) 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 Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, . . . Map (db m181347) HM
41 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Battle of HanoverHanover's Healing Touch — Gettysburg Campaign —
(preface) After a stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia through Pennsylvania, marching east to threaten Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, . . . Map (db m201593) HM
42 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Destruction of Private Property
During the June 1863 invasion of Pennsylvania, Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet explained to English observer Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Freemantle that the army planned to live off Northern land - and its citizens. But they would not . . . Map (db m22752) HM
43 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — General George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was appointed brigadier general on June 29, 1863, and assigned as commander of the Michigan brigade which he led as the Union cavalry entered Hanover on the morning of June 30, 1863. Pastor Zieber stated, "During the charge . . . Map (db m197218) HM
44 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Mother Loses Two Sons to War Reported missing
Mother Loses Two Sons to War - Within the span of one year, Elizabeth Hoffacker of West Manheim Township received the news of her two sons' deaths in combat during the Civil War. John, 24 years old, was promoted to corporal after being in the army . . . Map (db m188532) HM
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45 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — The Battle of Hanover
The engagement fought in Hanover may have had an effect on the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. As General Robert E. Lee moved north toward Pennsylvania in June 1863, Major General J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry began to ride around the Union Army and . . . Map (db m22694) HM
46 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — This Train is Bound for GloryLincoln Rallies for the Union
If you had been standing here on Wednesday afternoon, November 18, 1863, you might have heard a rumor that President Abraham Lincoln would be passing through town on a train. At 5 P.M., his train chugged down the main line directly in front of you. . . . Map (db m197246) HM
47 Pennsylvania, York County, Hanover — Women Tending to Wounded
On June 30, 1863, the quiet little town of Hanover suddenly exploded in gunfire and bloodshed. The Battle of Hanover, fought between Confederate Cavalry led by Major General J.E.B. Stuart and Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick's Union Cavalry, . . . Map (db m22748) HM
48 Pennsylvania, York County, Wrightsville — Burning the Wrightsville BridgeRiver Towns - Civil War Trails Reported permanently removed
By late June 1863, the Confederate Army had invaded Pennsylvania. After capturing York, the Rebels planned to take the state capital, Harrisburg, and possibly Philadelphia. To get there, they would need to cross the Susquehanna River at . . . Map (db m170239) HM
49 Pennsylvania, York County, Wrightsville — Hosting the InvaderRivertowns - Civil War Trails Reported permanently removed
Four decades after the Civil War, the June 1863 fire at Wrightsville still loomed in Confederate General John Brown Gordon's memory. "The Union Troops stationed at Wrightsville had," he wrote, "after their retreat across it, fired the bridge which I . . . Map (db m174168) HM
50 Pennsylvania, York County, Wrightsville — Mifflin HouseUnderground Railroad to Civil War
Directly in front of you stands Hybla, which Jonathan and Susanna Mifflin, a Quaker couple, built about 1800. Mifflin, a Revolutionary War captain (afterward a colonel), and his wife hid freedom seekers on their estate and helped them escape across . . . Map (db m173061) HM
51 Pennsylvania, York County, Wrightsville — Necessary DestructionBurning the Wrightsville Bridge
Thick smoke blackened the sky here on Sunday, June 28, 1863. The world's longest covered bridge was burning to prevent Confederates from crossing the Susquehanna River into Lancaster County during the Gettysburg Campaign. In six hours, flames . . . Map (db m230602) HM
52 Pennsylvania, York County, Wrightsville — Wrightsville EngagementFight for the Bridge — Gettysburg Campaign —
After a stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia through Maryland into Pennsylvania, marching east to threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The . . . Map (db m170353) HM
53 Pennsylvania, York County, York — "Men who don't often weep wept then"York
Faced with the impossible task of defending an essentially unarmed city against the six thousand battle hardened troops of General Jubal Early, the citizens of York met with the Confederates and negotiated surrender, in an act which was . . . Map (db m181437) HM
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54 Pennsylvania, York County, York — Riding the Rails of History Reported unreadable
[Marker is damaged and not legible.] The Northern Central Railway was a major conduit for the transportation of troops and supplies from the North to the Virginia Theater. Early in the Civil War, raiding parties destroyed bridges along . . . Map (db m205750) HM
55 Pennsylvania, York County, York — The Underground Railroad and Precursors to War
Among the events in the 1850s that helped drive the nation into civil war, the Christiana Riot put a controversial new law to a bloody test. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 ordered federal officers to arrest suspected runaway slaves; it also . . . Map (db m200503) HM
56 Pennsylvania, York County, York — William C. GoodridgeBusinessman, Abolitionist
Born into slavery in 1805, William C. Goodridge was sent to York at age six to apprentice as a tanner. At age 16, Goodridge was given his freedom, left York and was trained as a barber. He returned to York in the 1820s. After opening a barber shop . . . Map (db m100702) HM
57 Pennsylvania, York County, York — York surrenders to save city Reported unreadable
In 1863, York became the largest Northern town occupied by the Confederate Army. The center of one of the richest farming regions in the Union, York was virtually defenseless as the Rebels approached. When Major General Jubal A. Early neared, the . . . Map (db m22890) HM
 
 
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Mar. 19, 2024