Mercersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Citizens Seized

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

1. Citizens Seized Marker

Inscription. On October 10, 1862, Confederate cavalry commanded by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart briefly occupied Mercersburg on their way to raid Chambersburg. Acting under orders from Gen. Lee, Stuart took ten men from the Mercersburg area hostage.

Cornellus Louderbaugh and John McDowell were released later because of their age; D.O. Blair and William Raby escaped; George G. Rupley, James Grove, Joseph W. Winger, William Conner and Daniel Shaffer were taken to Richmond's Libby Prison and paroled some months later; Perry A. Rice died in Libby Prison. During the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863 the Confederates also took John Filkil, Findley Cuff, Samuel Brooks, Amos Barnes and other African Americans to Richmond and kept them from their families for months.

Erected by George Nalley & Lannie Gordon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Military • Notable Events • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1862.

Location. 39° 49.705′ N, 77° 54.238′ W. Marker is in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Seminary Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mercersburg PA 17236, 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lane House (a few steps from this marker); Buchanan House (a few steps from this marker); President Buchanan’s Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Murphy's Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Robert Parker House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Irwin House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Darby, Lot 14, 1786 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lot 32 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mercersburg.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2012

2. Citizens Seized Marker

Marker in Mercersburg image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 22, 2012

3. Marker in Mercersburg

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,201 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on May 30, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.