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

Deadly Sharpshooters

Photographed by Karl Stelly, February 26, 2021

1. Deadly Sharpshooters Marker

Inscription. The brainchild of inventor Hiram Berdan, the United States Sharpshooters were an elite unit of marksmen. On July 2, 1863, approximately 100 soldiers of the 1st US Sharpshooters, supported by the 3rd Maine Infantry, entered these woods to determine the location of Confederate troops opposite the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Encountering Confederates, the Sharpshooters quickly engaged them with deadly accuracy. With no advantage to be gained, they withdrew, but learned vital information: Confederates were massing on Seminary Ridge. (Caption on painting): Berdan's Sharpshooters fought in loose formations using cover and concealment to pick off their enemies from afar.

Erected 2021 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.45′ N, 77° 15.416′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on Berdan Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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: 3rd Maine Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Company F, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters (within

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shouting distance of this marker); 1st U.S. Sharpshooters (within shouting distance of this marker); Patterson's Battery - Lane's Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Blount's Battery - Dearing's Battalion (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilcox's Brigade (about 700 feet away); Lieutenant General James Longstreet (about 700 feet away); Macon's Battery - Dearing's Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, February 26, 2021

2. Deadly Sharpshooters Marker

This view is facing towards the northeast.

Berdan Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, February 26, 2021

3. Berdan Avenue

This view looks toward the northwest. The monument to Company F, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters can be seen in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 629 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.