Penn Township near Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
J.E.B. Stuart's Jump
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, January 26, 2008
1. J.E.B. Stuart's Jump Marker
The ground occupied by the Confederate cavalry during the Battle of Hanover was the rich, rolling farmland found in much of southern Pennsylvania. On the eastern side of the Westminster Road there was a field of timothy, a grass widely grown for hay. A stream described as being "ten to fifteen feet wide and three to four feet deep" flowed through the field.
After the initial Confederate attack on Hanover, Major General Stuart and his staff had ridden into the timothy field on the side of the stream toward the town to observe the action, unaware that a Union counterattack was underway and headed toward their position.
H. B. McClellan, Stuart's assistant adjutant-general, describes what happened next. "When the 2nd North Carolina broke and retreated under Farnsworth's charge, this party maintained its position for some moments, firing with pistols at the flank of the enemy, who pursued the North Carolina regiment on the road. The position soon became one of extreme personal peril to Stuart, whose retreat by the road was cut off. Nothing remained but to leap the ditch. Splendidly mounted on his favorite mare Virginia, Stuart took the ditch at a running leap, and landed safely on the other side with several feet to spare."
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. 39° 47.628′ N, 76° 59.464′ W. Marker is near Hanover, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is in Penn Township. It is at the intersection of Frederick Street (Pennsylvania Route 194) and Stuart Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Frederick Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Frederick St, Hanover PA 17331, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederates Invade Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); Stuart's Fruitless Odyssey (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Hanover (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanover (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Center of the Storm (approx. Ό mile away); Heroics of the Union Cavalry (approx. Ό mile away); Profiles in Union Cavalry Courage (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.
Other markers no longer nearby. Custer at Hanover (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Consequences on the Battle of Gettysburg
Photographed by Shane Oliver, August 28, 2021
2. J.E.B. Stuart's Jump Marker
Marker is weathered but still readable.
More about this marker. On the left is a painting depicting Stuart's jump, and a portrait of the general.
Also see . . . James Ewell Brown "J.E.B." Stuart. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by William Pfingsten, June 28, 2008
3. Stream that Stuart jumped.
This stream crosses Westminster Avenue about .3 miles from the marker.
Photographed by Henry T. McLin, January 3, 2009
4. J.E.B. Stuart's jumped stream at Stuart Avenue
About 2 blocks from the marker. The stream runs east to west. Stuart jumped from the north side to the south side.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 2, 2020
5. J.E.B. Stuart's Jump
The possible site, as related by a tour guide, is on the grounds of the West Hanover Street Tennis Courts and Playground. The marker is quite some distance away.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,193 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on January 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 28, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 3, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
