Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle Opens
July 1st, 1863 - The First Day
Photographed By Bryan Olson, October 2004
1. The Battle Opens Marker
“Forward, men, forward for God’s sake, & drive those fellows out of those woods.”
Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, U.S.A.
Commander, First Army Corps.
On the morning of July 1, 1863, the bloodiest single battle of the Civil War began here on the outskirts of Gettysburg.
About 8 a.m., 7,000 Confederate infantry attacking from the west and north (in front of you) clashed with 3,200 dismounted Union cavalry positioned along this ridge. The cavalry slowed the Confederate tide until the Union infantry arrived on the battlefield.
By 10:30 a.m., the Union First Corps reached the field and drove the Confederates back in a bloody hour-long action here that left nearly 2,000 dead and wounded. Among the victims was Union Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, the first of many generals whose careers ended at Gettysburg.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1973.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 50.079′ N, 77° 15.021′ W. Marker was near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It was in Cumberland Township. Marker was on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "Forward Men" (a few steps from this marker); Fight Like the Devil (a few steps from this marker); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (a few steps from this marker); First Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Gen. John F. Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); First Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Division (within shouting distance of this marker); 151st Pennsylvania Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. The upper portion of the marker displays two photographs of the battlefield with keyed points of interest. These are recreated in photos 2 and 3 of this entry.
In the lower center is a painting captioned, The heat, confusion, and violence of the opening struggle here are depicted in this painting by Peter Rothermel. Note McPherson's Barn (center) and Reynolds Woods (left center). The slain General Reynolds (bottom center) is carried from the field.
On the lower right is a portrait of General
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 25, 2009
2. The Battle Opens Marker Painting
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. McPherson Ridge or Reynolds Avenue virtual tour by markers.
Additional keywords. Gettysburg Battlefield, McPherson Ridge
Photographed By Bryan Olson, October 2004
3. McPherson Ridge
1.Reynolds Marker
-Marks the location where Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds was killed.
2.Reynolds Woods -Scene of fierce struggle between Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s Confederate brigades and the famed “Iron Brigade.”
2.Reynolds Woods -Scene of fierce struggle between Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s Confederate brigades and the famed “Iron Brigade.”
Photographed By Bryan Olson, October 2004
4. McPherson Ridge
3. McPherson Barn
-The several farm buildings here in 1863 became a focal point for the opening of the battle.
4. Chambersburg Pike -One of ten major roads leading into Gettysburg in 1863. Confederates marches to battle along this route. From this point it is one mile to the center of town behind you.
4. Chambersburg Pike -One of ten major roads leading into Gettysburg in 1863. Confederates marches to battle along this route. From this point it is one mile to the center of town behind you.
5. Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds (U.S.A.)
an 1841 graduate of West Point, commanded the Union First Corps here on July 1. While exhorting his men to drive the Confederates from the woods in front of you he looked back (toward the Lutheran Seminary behind you) where more men were coming on. At that moment, a minié ball struck him in the back of the head. He fell from his horse dead.
The aide who carried him from the field said of him, “Wherever the fight raged the fiercest, there the General was sure to be found.”
The aide who carried him from the field said of him, “Wherever the fight raged the fiercest, there the General was sure to be found.”
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 3, 2015
6. The Battle Opens Marker
The marker is on the right. The marker on the left is "Monuments and Markers".
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
7. The Battle Opens Marker (right)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2008, by Bryan Olson of Syracuse, New York. This page has been viewed 2,547 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on July 31, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 17, 2008, by Bryan Olson of Syracuse, New York. 2. submitted on August 28, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 17, 2008, by Bryan Olson of Syracuse, New York. 6. submitted on September 8, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 7. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
