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

Piercing the Union Line

July 2, 5:30 pm

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

1. Piercing the Union Line Marker

Inscription. In 1863, this peach orchard belonged to the Sherfy family, whose brick home still stands opposite the Emmitsburg Road. Around noon on July 2, part of Union General Daniel Sickles' 10,000-man Third Army Corps occupied the orchard. Sickles, originally assigned a position 3/4-mile to your left, believed the high ground here was a stronger position. He advanced, without orders from General Meade, commander of the Union army. Sickles' mile-long line formed an angle, or salient, here. Vulnerable to attack from two directions, it also left a gap in the main Union position. At 5:30 pm, after an intense artillery duel, Confederate troops attacked. Assaulting the southern (behind you) and then western (to your front) face of the orchard, the Southerners drove the Union defenders back in retreat. Sickles' salient was crushed. (Painting caption) Union General Daniel Sickles spurs ahead of his staff to inspect the front lines of his threatened Third Corps. The John Rose barn, depicted in the painting, no longer stands.

Erected 2022 by The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This memorial is

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

Location. 39° 48.062′ N, 77° 14.93′ W. Memorial is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on Wheatfield Road, on the right when traveling east. Located at the intersection of the Wheatfield Road and Birney Lane. Located near Auto Tour Stop 10: The Peach Orchard. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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: 141st Pennsylvania Infantry (here, next to this marker); 68th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 19, 2024

2. Piercing the Union Line Marker

15th New York Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery F, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Artillery Brigade (about 300 feet away); Second Division (about 300 feet away); 3rd Michigan Infantry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Peach Orchard Salient (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this memorial. This new marker replaces the old marker at this location which was entitled "The Peach Orchard Salient."

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

3. Piercing the Union Line Marker

A closer-in view of the left side of the painting, showing the caption. Painting by Civil War artist Edwin Forbes.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

4. Piercing the Union Line Marker

The right side of the painting, showing General Sickles and his staff. Painting by Civil War artist Edwin Forbes.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, April 20, 2022

5. Piercing the Union Line Marker

This view shows a part of the Peach Orchard behind the marker. This view looks toward the west.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on October 22, 2024, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.