Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
1. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
Severely outnumbered, Union troops purchased time for establishing defense on Cemetery Ridge with lives spent on Seminary Ridge. By 4:00 p.m. on July 1, 1863, the battered survivors of the Union 1st Corps rallied on Seminary Ridge for a final defensive stand west of the town. The strongest feature of the position was a semi-circular barricade created from worm fence constructed earlier in the day by troops from Brigadier General Gabriel Paul's brigade. The 151st Pennsylvania, as well as elements of the 142nd Pennsylvania, 24th Michigan and 19th Indiana manned the works located in this area.
During the ensuing attack a member of this unit recalled "there was a gun blaze every minute by the side of my face." Lt. Colonel George E. McFarland, the commander of the 151st, had his horse shot from under him during the fierce encounter. After repulsing several assaults, the Pennsylvanians were forced to retreat when the regiments on their left gave way. McFarland was shot in both legs near the Seminary. Carried into the building, he remained there until early September, the last patient to be discharged from this field hospital.
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 9.)
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Location. 39° 49.935′ N, 77° 14.727′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Memorial can be reached from Seminary Ridge Avenue. Marker is at the northwestern edge of the parking lot for the Seminary Ridge Museum, to the West of Seminary Ridge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Seminary (within shouting distance of this marker); Crisis Comes to the Seminary's Back Door (within shouting distance of this marker); Manor of Maske (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Simon Schmucker Hall (about 300 feet away); Emanuel Bell Tower (about 300 feet away); The Seminary Hospital (about 400 feet away); Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum (about 400 feet away); Life as a Seminary Student (about 500 feet away); The Confederate Assault (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 9 on the Seminary Ridge Historic
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
2. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
A closeup of the text
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
3. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
A closeup of the painting "Withdrawal of the 151st Pennsylvania" by Dale Gallon
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
4. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
5. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
6. The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 591 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 3, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
