York in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
York surrenders to save city
Photographed by Henry T. McLin, September 29, 2009
1. York surrenders to save city Marker
Marker is in the Northeast quadrant of the Square.
In 1863, York became the largest Northern town occupied by the Confederate Army. The center of one of the richest farming regions in the Union, York was virtually defenseless as the Rebels approached. When Major General Jubal A. Early neared, the mayor and a committee of citizens met them to surrender the city. On June 28, Early moved into the court house and his brigades took over the U.S. Army Hospital on Penn Common, the York Fairgrounds, market sheds, and the mills north of town.
Early wanted supplies for his troops, so he demanded bread, sugar, coffee, molasses, meat, socks, hats, 2,000 pairs of shoes, and $100,000 from the citizens of York. If they failed to meet his demands, he threatened to sack the town. The townspeople found most of what he asked for, except they could scrape together only $28,600. Early was satisfied and spared the town.
York's leaders had agreed not to resist in return for peaceful occupation. As a result, the Confederates allowed the Yorkers to pass freely within the town. the residents interacted regularly with the occupiers, most of whom came from Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Louisiana.
Erected 2009 by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. 39° 57.753′ N, 76° 43.679′ W. Marker is unreadable. Marker is in York, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is on East Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: York PA 17403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 location: Black Horse Tavern (here, next to this marker); Continental Treasury (within shouting distance of this marker); Trolley Master Station (within shouting distance of this marker); McClean House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Underground Railroad and Precursors to War (within shouting distance of this marker); Continental Congress (within shouting distance of this marker); Articles of Confederation (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Miller (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in York.
More about this marker. During a July 2025 visit, the marker had been moved directly across North George Street and is even more unreadable.
Regarding York surrenders to save city. In the center is a drawing of the York town square. In the lower center is a facsimile of the Receipt for
Photographed by Shane Oliver, July 23, 2022
2. York surrenders to save city Marker
Marker is significantly weathered and partially unreadable.
Also see . . . The surrender: did York really have a choice?. Cannonball Blog entry (Submitted on March 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Henry T. McLin, September 29, 2009
3. Looking north from S. George St. Marker is in left forefront.
Photographed by Shane Oliver, July 23, 2022
4. York surrenders to save city Marker
The Articles of Confederation and McClean House markers can be seen behind this marker.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 25, 2025
5. York surrenders to save city wayside site
July 2025 location
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 25, 2025
6. York surrenders to save city Marker
July 2025 condition
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,051 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 30, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on September 30, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in its current location. • Can you help?
