Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Union General Escapes Capture

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014

1. A Union General Escapes Capture Marker

Inscription. In 1863, this building to your right, was the home and cabinetmaker’s shop of Henry Garlach and family.

Cut off during the Union retreat to Cemetery Hill, General Alexander Schimmelfennig was able to avoid capture by the Confederates, when he hid here for three days in the back yard, shielded behind a stack of firewood and a hog slop barrel situated along the front of the kitchen woodshed.

General Schimmelfennig was sustained with food and water secretly delivered to him by Mrs. Catherine Garlach, when she went to feed the family hogs.

Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 39° 49.573′ N, 77° 13.871′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Baltimore Street (U.S. BUS 15) south of Breckenridge Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 323 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Caught In The Crossfire (within shouting distance of this marker); Baltimore Street Facade (within shouting distance of this marker); Annoying “…the enemy very seriously ” (within shouting distance of this marker);

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“I can see them yet…” (within shouting distance of this marker); Witness Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Stronghold (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Well (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 267 Baltimore St. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

More about this marker. The bottom of the marker contains two photos. One of Catherine Garlach (ca. 1885), and another of Brig. Gen. Alexander Schimmelfennig, Union 11th Corps.

The top right of the marker features a photograph with the caption The kitchen woodshed ca. 1890. It stood just beyond the rear extension to the brick house (to your right front).

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007

2. A Union General Escapes Capture Marker

Marker in Downtown Gettysburg image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 9, 2007

3. Marker in Downtown Gettysburg

On the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederates overran the Union troops north and west of the town. During the retreat through the town to Cemetery Ridge, Gen. Schimmelfennig was force to hide behind this house to avoid being taken prisoner. He remained there until the Confederates evacuated Gettysburg on July 4th.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014

4. A Union General Escapes Capture Marker

Marker at 323 Baltimore Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014

5. Marker at 323 Baltimore Street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,355 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.