Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Retreat from Gettysburg
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
1. Retreat from Gettysburg Marker
Zion Reformed Church was a stronghold for the Confederates on their retreat from Gettysburg on July 6, 1863. General Robert E. Lee passed through Hagerstown during the Confederate occupation following the Battle of Gettysburg. General George Armstrong Custer observed Confederate movements from the church's bell tower on July 12th, after his Michigan cavalry brigade forced the occupying Confederates to the western edge of town. A Confederate sniper fired at Custer in the bell tower, but missed him and hit one of the tower's bells.
Erected by Maryland Heritage Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1808.
Location. 39° 38.682′ N, 77° 43.098′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of North Potomac Street (State Highway 65) and Church Street, on the right when traveling south on North Potomac Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Hager (a few steps from this marker); Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom of Hagerstown
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Military Occupation (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. On the lower left is a drawing of Zion Church as it appeared during the Civil War. In the lower center is a photo of One of Zion's Church Bells. On the right is a photo of Brigadier General George A. Custer.
Also see . . .
1. Zion Evangelical and Reform Church. Some history of the church and buildings. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Zion Reformed United Church of Christ. Church website homepage (Submitted on February 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
2. Retreat from Gettysburg Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
3. Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church
Looking at the Church from Church Street. According to the NRHP documentation for the church, the bell tower seen here is was rebuilt at the location of the original. Later in the 1880s the church's orientation was changed to allow entrance from Potomac Street rather than Church Street. Later changes added entrances on the north side of the Church.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009
4. Church Tower Built in 1774 and Rebuilt 1867
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,603 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
