Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Wagon Hotel on Cemetery Hill
On July 1, 1863, when the Federal 1st and 11th Corps were routed on the fields north and west of Gettysburg, the defeated soldiers hurriedly fled towards the citadel of Cemetery Hill. They passed through the town via Baltimore, Washington and Stratton streets, with Confederates in hot pursuit. Fighting occurred in the streets and alleys. Opposing sharpshooters positioned themselves in houses and other structures in the southern end of town.
The Wagon Hotel, located at the intersection of Baltimore Street and Emmitsburg Road, served as the center of the Federal skirmish line along the north face of Cemetery Hill. From this site, Union soldiers dueled with Confederate sharpshooters in the town, firing from the hotel’s windows and through holes bored in the roof. William Ker, 73rd PA., recalled a brick house to the left of this place,” where several “Confederate soldiers were killed in one window.”
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1865.
Location. 39° 49.45′ N, 77° 13.856′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Baltimore Street and Steinwehr Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Baltimore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 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. Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welty House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Rupp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil War Comes to Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Caught in the Crossfire (within shouting distance of this marker); The John Rupp House and Tannery Site (within shouting distance of this marker); “… your sister is dead.” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jennie Wade (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. A map in the center of the marker shows troop movements and the position of the marker. The Union retreat and later positions of both armies is also indicated.
Two photographs on the right side of the marker depict “The Wagon Hotel, ca. 1884, Baltimore Street and Emmitsburg Road (Now Steinwehr Avenue); and “Looking northward on Baltimore Street, ca. 1865. The Wagon Hotel left foreground.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 899 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 26, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7. submitted on July 20, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on November 26, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.