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

The Fight at Spangler's Spring

July 3, 4:00 am—11:00 am

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

The Fight at Spangler's Spring Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

1. The Fight at Spangler's Spring Marker

Inscription. Before first light, Union batteries opened fire on Confederates holding this position. About 7:00 am, the 2nd Massachusetts and the 27th Indiana received orders to attack the breastworks on the wooded slopes in front of you. Colonel Charles Mudge, commander of the 2nd Massachusetts, could not believe the command—a frontal assault over open ground against an entrenched position. He replied, "Well, it is murder, but it's the order," and led his men forward at the double quick. Both units surged across the open, marshy ground behind you, toward the height above Spangler's Spring to your left. Confederate troops, protected by a stone wall, decimated the Union forces, forcing their retreat. The fighting here lasted until 11:00 am, when the Confederates finally withdrew.

(captions)
Spangler's Spring, a water source for both sides during the battle, was a popular picnic area where cool water bubbled up through a hole in the ground. The memorial spring was erected in 1905.

Upon enlisting, Charles R. Mudge wrote, "I fully made up my mind to fight; and when I say fight, I mean win or die." Wounded at Winchester and grazed at Antietam, Lieutenant Colonel Mudge died here leading his men into battle.

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

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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° 48.869′ N, 77° 13.016′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is at the intersection of Colgrove Avenue and East Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Colgrove Avenue. Located at Auto Tour Stop 13: Spangler's Spring. 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: Myth, Memory, and Honor (here, next to this marker); 107th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Maryland Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana (within shouting distance of this marker); 27th Indiana Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 46th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away); 145th New York Infantry (about 300 feet away); Smith's Brigade (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Slaughter at Spangler's Spring (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Spangler's Spring (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker.

Photograph of Colonel Charles Mudge, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

2. Photograph of Colonel Charles Mudge, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry

From the marker

Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Slaughter at Spangler's Spring".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on April 23, 2022.)

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

3. The Fight at Spangler's Spring Marker

This part of the photo includes the caption.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

4. The Fight at Spangler's Spring Marker

This view shows some of the area behind the marker.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, March 25, 2021

5. The Fight at Spangler's Spring Marker

From a slightly different angle than Photo Number 4

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,016 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 23, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.