Hamiltonban Township near Fairfield in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Before The Battle Of Gettysburg
Events Along The Emmitsburg & Waynesboro Turnpike
On June 22, 1863, a skirmish erupted at Monterey Pass when Company D of the 4th Virginia Cavalry attacked portions of Union cavalry under the command of Captain Robert Bell, Captain Samuel Randall, and several members of the Gettysburg Home Guard. The Confederate skirmishers scoured the woods on foot along the Emmitsburg and Waynesboro Turnpike, forcing the militia to retreat towards Fairfield, using the Maria Furnace Road, where the chase ended at dusk.
On June 28, a skirmish occurred at Fountaindale, where a 25-man detail of Cole’s Maryland Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant William Horner, coming from the direction of Monterey Pass, came in contact with a Confederate foraging party under Lieutenant J.H. Chamberlayne, near Jacks Mountain Road. Chamberlayne was collecting supplies and horses when he saw Horner’s men and ordered six men with revolvers to charge, while the other 20 unarmed men in the foraging party hurried towards Fairfield with the stolen goods. After being chased by Union soldiers, most of Chamberlayne’s men were captured and taken to Emmitsburg, Maryland.
On June 29, Union General John Buford’s Cavalry Division left Middletown, Maryland for Pennsylvania. At Monterey Pass, he observed Confederate troops marching in the distance at Greencastle. After a patriotic welcome by local residents, Buford’s cavalry moved towards Fountaindale and bivouacked for a few hours before moving towards Fairfield.
“An old man stood beside the road at Monterey Springs, with his hat off and tears streaming down his face. As the column passed, the men cheered him heartily.”
First Lieutenant Newel Cheney, 9th New York Cavalry, Buford’s Cavalry Division
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1863.
Location. 39° 44.726′ N, 77° 27.227′ W. Marker is near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Hamiltonban Township. Marker is on Old Waynesboro Road north of Iron Springs Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1340 Old Waynesboro Rd, Fairfield PA 17320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Battle Of Monterey Pass (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Fountain Dale (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Monterey Pass (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “The Battle of Fountain Dale”
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on April 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.