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

Farm Field to Battlefield

July 2, 4:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Farm Field to Battlefield Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. Farm Field to Battlefield Marker

Inscription. This 75-acre farm was home to John and Catherine Slyder and three of their children. The farm, seen in the distance, included a two-story stone house, a double-log barn, summer kitchen, and other buildings. Heeding a warning from Union soldiers, the Slyders left their farm. Federal sharpshooters hid in and among the outbuildings, harassing and delaying the enemy's advance. Thousands of soldiers overran the property, turning farm field to battlefield. The Slyders returned to find their farm a shambles and their home a temporary aid station. Destroyed crops, orchards, and livestock devastated this hard-working family. Two months later, having lost everything, they moved to Ohio.

Erected 2021 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 2, 1863.

Location. 39° 47.131′ N, 77° 14.791′ W. Marker is near Round Top, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on South Confederate Avenue 0.9 miles east of Emmitsburg Road (Business U.S. 15), on the left when traveling east. Located at a wayside pulloff between Bushman Hill and Big Round Top. 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: A Ride to Death (here, next to this marker); William Wells (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Brigade (about 500 feet away); Battery E, Fourth U.S. Artillery (about 700 feet away); 5th New York Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Regiment Vermont Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Third Division (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Round Top.

Other markers no longer nearby. Farnsworth's Cavalry Charge (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Wounded and the Dead (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "The Wounded and the Dead".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on May 1, 2022.)

Photographed by Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. Farm Field to Battlefield Marker

The Slyder Farm can be seen in the distance, near the center of frame. This view is looking toward the north.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. Farm Field to Battlefield Marker

The same view as in Photo No. 2, but shifted a bit to the right. This view is looking toward the north-northeast.

Photographed by Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

4. Farm Field to Battlefield Marker

These new markers were erected in 2021. The marker on the left is entitled "Farm Field to Battlefield" and the one on the right is entitled "A Ride to Death."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.