Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Politics and "Penelope"
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
1. Politics and "Penelope" Marker
This is the 1863 site of the COMPILER newspaper office, Gettysburg's weekly "voice" of the Democratic party, and the home of its outspoken publisher Henry Stahle.During the Battle of Gettysburg Stahle took into his home a badly wounded Union officer and persuaded a Confederate surgeon to come and perform a life-saving leg amputation. This humanitarian act led to Stahle's temporary incarceration at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore for aiding the enemy to capture a Union officer, a baseless charge of disloyalty concocted by a local Republican for political revenge.
The breech of the cannon "Penelope," is seen protruding from the pavement nearby. Traditionally, "Penelope" was fired in Gettysburg's streets to celebrate Democratic election victories but was abruptly silenced in 1855 when an over-charge of powder ruptured her barrel. Fittingly the old political cannon was memorialized in front of the "voice" of the Democratic party.
Funding for this project assisted by NPS / American Battlefield Protection Program
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg.
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 39° 49.758′ N, 77° 13.862′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Baltimore Street (Business U.S. 15), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 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. "…sights and sounds…too horrible to describe…" (within shouting distance of this marker); Adams County World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Thaddeus Stevens, the Great Commoner, 1792 - 1868 (within shouting distance of this marker); Adams County (within shouting distance of this marker); "uncertainty and dread" (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Address Memorial and Abraham Lincoln Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); "…the busiest scene I ever witnessed…" (within shouting distance of this marker); Presidents Attended Service Here (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. On the right side of the marker is A ca. 1895 view
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
2. The old Compiler Newspaper Office Today
Note "Penelope" to the left of the fire hydrant.
Also see . . . Was Henry J. Stahle Disloyal?. Article from Gettysburg Daily discussing the events leading up to Stahle's imprisonment. (Submitted on April 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
3. Politics and "Penelope" Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
4. "Penelope" Today
The cannon is buried muzzle down in the sidewalk today.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,477 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
