Mercersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ambush at Mercersburg
The horseless Confederate fled from the square and into an alley beside Judge Carson’s property (Buchanan house) but was quickly captured by townsfolk. Panic then set in as the townspeople feared reprisals for the ambush. In haste the dead man and horse were buried in a nearby brick kiln. The captured soldier was given to authorities in McConnellsburg. On July 4, calmer voices prevailed and the dead man was exhumed and given decent burial in the Presbyterian graveyard.
Sunday services at the local churches were disrupted on July 5 as a captured Confederate wagon train was led into town containing 100 wagons and nearly 700 wounded from the Battle of Gettysburg. Churches were transformed into hospitals, and the townspeople assisted in ministering to the wounded. In a few days, only the most seriously wounded were left behind. Of those, two would die by August and be buried in Fairview Cemetery.
Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil . In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.68′ N, 77° 54.211′ W. Marker is in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. Marker is on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mercersburg PA 17236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Darby, Lot 14, 1786 (a few steps from this marker); The Irwin House (a few steps from this marker); James Buchanan (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Murphy's Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizens Seized (within shouting distance of this marker); Buchanan House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lane House (within shouting distance of this marker); President Buchanan’s Home (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mercersburg.
More about this marker. The marker displays an Illustration of the ambush from the popular press of the time, courtesy of The National Civil War Museum. A photo shows the Old Mansion House on the Square in Mercersburg. Private J.W. Alban was reportedly killed outside the building’s kitchen door. Photo courtesy of Betty Steiger.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,590 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on May 2, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.