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

A Thunderous Duel

July 3, 1:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

A Thunderous Duel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 28, 2022

1. A Thunderous Duel Marker

Inscription.
Hoping to destroy Union artillery prior to assaulting the center of the Union line, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered 150 cannon to open fire on this position. The afternoon sky quickly darkened with smoke and dust as Union guns returned fire. Federal soldiers flattened themselves against the trembling ground to escape the missiles of death.

The Southern bombardment wreaked havoc along this ridge, killing horses and men and dismounting guns, but much of the Confederate barrage overshot the Union position. For well over an hour the thunderous duel continued and was heard many miles away. When firing from Union guns slackened, Confederate officers believed the bombardment had succeeded and ordered the infantry to advance.

Erected 2022 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 3, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.772′ N, 77° 14.136′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Hancock Avenue, 0.4 miles north of Pleasonton Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located near the "Copse of Trees" in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Change in Plans (here, next to this marker); Against All Odds (here, next to this marker); Death at the Wall (here, next to this marker); 72nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (a few steps from this marker); First Pennsylvania Cavalry (a few steps from this marker); Major General Alexander Webb (a few steps from this marker); Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); 3rd Maine Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also "Pickett's Charge".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on March 22, 2022.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 28, 2022

2. A Thunderous Duel Marker

Closeup of the map

Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 28, 2022

3. A Thunderous Duel Marker

Detail of the painting (left)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 28, 2022

4. A Thunderous Duel Marker

Detail of the painting (center)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, February 28, 2022

5. A Thunderous Duel Marker

Detail of the painting (right)

A Change in Plans Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly

6. A Change in Plans Marker

These four wayside markers have replaced older markers which were located here.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 20, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on March 12, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.