Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

General George Armstrong Custer

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, September 13, 2009

1. GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER Marker

Inscription. George Armstrong Custer was appointed brigadier general on June 29, 1863, and assigned as commander of the Michigan brigade which he led as the Union cavalry entered Hanover on the morning of June 30, 1863. Pastor Zieber stated, "During the charge of the Federal troops driving the enemy out of town, I saw ... men led by General Custer come dashing down Abbottstown Street. They met a squad of the enemy right in front of us, and a sharp encounter took place… [We] had lost all consciousness of danger and whenever we saw our troops gaining any advantage over the enemy, we applauded them."

Custer's troops helped push the Confederate cavalry of J.E.B. Stuart out of Hanover and impeded his linking with Jubal Early's Confederate infantry, which was redeploying from York towards Gettysburg. This led to Stuart not arriving at Gettysburg until late on July 2. The Battle of Hanover, then, was an early important action in the Gettysburg campaign which favored the Union.

General Custer also took a leading part in the great cavalry fight on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, where he won distinction for gallantry.

Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, www.visitPA.com.

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War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1940.

Location. 39° 48.017′ N, 76° 59.017′ W. Marker is in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in York County. Marker is at the intersection of Carlisle Street (Route 94) and Carlisle St. and Broadway (Pennsylvania Route 94/194), on the left when traveling east on Carlisle Street. Northwest corner of Center Square by the fountain. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Center Square, Hanover PA 17331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kilpatrick Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Army of the Potomac (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Army of the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General George Armstrong Custer (within shouting distance of this marker); High Noon in Hanover (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Hanover (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanover's Underground Railroad Conductors (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.

Also see . . .
1. Kilpatrick Headquarters. Marker Details Name: Kilpatrick Headquarters Region:

Photographed By Shane Oliver, August 28, 2021

2. General George Armstrong Custer Marker

Hershey/Gettysburg/Dutch Country Region County Location: York Marker Location: Northwest section of square, Hanover Dedication Date: September 14, 1954 Marker Text: On June 30, 1863, Gen. Kilpatrick, commanding the Third Division of the Union Cavalry, took headquarters in this building after part of his forces had been attacked by Confederate Cavalry SE of town. (Submitted on September 23, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania.)

2. George Armstrong Custer at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, September 13, 2009

3. GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER Marker

View of the fountain and square with marker on right.

General George Armstrong Custer Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, September 22, 2009

4. General George Armstrong Custer Marker

Marker is to the right of the center tree in front of the the building that was General Kilpatrick's headquarters on June 30, 1863. The Kilpatrick Headquarters' marker is to the left of the no parking sign.
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Fountain near the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, August 28, 2021

5. Fountain near the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,496 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on May 5, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 22, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on September 22, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on September 23, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.