Hamiltonban Township near Fairfield in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle Of Monterey Pass
Citizens’ Stories and Kilpatrick’s Advance
On the afternoon of July 4, Union General Judson Kilpatrick left Emmitsburg with three brigades of cavalry, supported by three batteries of rifled artillery. Kilpatrick was ordered to locate and attack a Confederate wagon train that was moving over South Mountain.
At Monterey Pass, Confederate soldiers captured Jacob Baer, David Miller, and other civilians at the Monterey Inn. Baer managed to get a message for help to Susan Lookabaugh. She walked past the Confederate pickets and came across James Embley and asked him for help. Near Fountaindale, local farmer Charles H. Buhrman received the message about the capture of several local men who were being held at the Monterey Inn. Buhrman mounted his horse and went to find help.
Buhrman found the advance of the Union cavalry near and reported what he had learned directly to General Kilpatrick and General George A. Custer.
As Buhrman rode with General Kilpatrick, they came across Hetty Zielinger, who told him that the confederates had placed a cannon commanding the mountain summit from the east.
It was about sunset when the Union cavalry was at the base of the mountain. As weather conditions worsened, Kilpatrick’s Cavalry ascended the mountain. Kilpatrick noted that to his right was a rugged mountain peak, to his left was a steep ravine, and too his front was a road too narrow to deploy his artillery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1863.
Location. 39° 44.727′ 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. Before The Battle Of Gettysburg (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 also titled “The Battle of Monterey Pass”
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 392 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2017, 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. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.