Near Emmitsburg in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Emmitsburg
Road to Gettysburg
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021
President Abraham Lincoln replaced Army of the Potomac commander Gen. Joseph Hooker with Gen. George G. Meade on June 28, 1863, as the army pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Meade placed Gen. John F. Reynolds, I Corps commander, in charge of the Federal army’s left wing, which consisted of I, III, and XI Corps. The next day, I Corps marched to Frederick from Middletown and camped in the western suburbs, but by dawn on June 30, had departed for Emmitsburg, where it bivouacked on the heights north of town. Confederates had been reported at Fairfield, and Reynolds was taking no chances.
Meade, uncertain of Lee’s strength or location, had ordered the army to entrench along Pipe Creek to counter any move toward Washington or Baltimore. The Federal right flank rested at Manchester, the center at Union Mills, and the left at Middleburg. Reynolds was to withdraw his forces near Gettysburg and occupy the left flank.
At 7:30 a.m. on July 1, however, Lt. Marcellus E. Jones, 8th Illinois Cavalry, fired the first shot in the Battle of Gettysburg as the Confederates crossed Marsh Creek Bridge. Reynolds rode to the scene to assess the unfolding situation and direct his infantry forward, only to be cut down by a sharpshooter's bullet three hours after the opening engagement.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1863.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 42.507′ N, 77° 18.824′ W. Marker was near Emmitsburg, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker could be reached from Catoctin Mountain Highway (U.S. 15), on the right. Marker is located in the Welcome Center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 17300 Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Emmitsburg MD 21727, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Emmitsburg Longrifles (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Emmitsburg (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Emmitsburg (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Monsignor Hugh J. Phillips (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town of Emmitsburg, Maryland (within shouting distance of this marker); Thurmont (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Thurmont (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emmitsburg.
More about this marker. The marker features portraits of Gens. Robert E. Lee, George G. Meade, and John F. Reynolds. Included also is a map of the Gettysburg campaign and a newspaper drawing from the period depicting the Union army marching in the vicinity of Emmitsburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. 1863 Wartime Sketch of Emmitsburg. Emmitsburg Area Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. General Reynolds and Emmitsburg. Emmitsburg Area Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. An Enduring Controversy: The Pipe Creek Circular and the Battle of Gettysburg. Emerging Civil War website entry (Submitted on February 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. Gettysburg Campaign
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,574 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.