Cumberland Township near Round Top in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Union Fishhook
Gettysburg National Military Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 17, 2024
1. The Union Fishhook Marker
July 2, Noon
Looking northwest from here you can see where much of the fighting on July 2 and 3 occurred. The Union line of defense began where you now stand and stretched north along Cemetery Ridge to the edge of town. There it curved east over Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill (not visible), forming a "fishhook." The Union line was not nearly three miles long.
It extended along the wooded tree line to your left all the way to the town of Gettysburg. The line then curved east through the town, paralleling the Union line opposite Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill. The Confederate line of battle stretched nearly seven miles in length.
Erected 2024 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° 47.534′ N, 77° 14.201′ W. Marker is near Round Top, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It can be reached from Sykes Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located at tour stop 8. 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 are within walking distance of this marker: The Valley of Death (here, next to this marker); 91st Pennsylvania Infantry (a few steps
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. The Eye of General Warren (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Union Fishhook (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. Below a picture of Gen. Sickles' shattered leg bone is a caption of "Major General Daniel E. Sickles commander of the Union Third Corps, was ordered to extend the Union line south from Cemetery Ridge and occupy Little Round Top. Instead, he established a position farther to the west (your left), leaving the hill undefended. Sickles was later wounded in the right leg by a Confederate cannonball. Army surgeons amputated the leg that
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 17, 2024
2. The Union Fishhook Marker
A portrait of General Sickles includes a caption of "Although many believe Sickles nearly lost the battle, he was instrumental in preserving the battlefield. In 1895, then a congressman, Sickles introduced legislation that established Gettysburg National Military Park."
A battle map on the lower right of the marker has the caption of "This map depicts the position of the two armies by the afternoon of July 2. Union General Sickles's Third Corps of 10,674 soldiers was to extend the Union line from Cemetery Ridge to Little Round Top. The right of his assigned position can be seen to your right front, a mile in the distance. The large, domed Pennsylvania Memorial stands there today.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 17, 2024
3. Marker on Little Round Top
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2024, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2024, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
