Franklin Township near McKnightstown in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Gettysburg: The Cashtown Road
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
1. The Battle of Gettysburg: The Cashtown Road Marker
Advancing Thunder
In late June 1863, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, advanced over South Mountain to the village of Cashtown. Tens of thousands of men, horses, cannons and wagons rumbled over this route, also known as the Chambersburg Pike, headed east towards Gettysburg. There they engaged the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by General George G. Meade. The two armies clashed in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Residents along the road described the advance as sounding like thunder.
Retreating Thunder
In the early morning hours of July 4th, 1863, suffering defeat by the Army of the Potomac, General Lee ordered General John D. Imbodens cavalry to protect a 17-mile long Confederate ambulance train in its retreat west along this same road, now known as Old Route 30. Enduring torrential rain, the wagon train of wounded soldiers and its defending cavalry and artillery force retreated through the Cashtown pass. Residents along the road again experienced the sounds of the movement, this time adding the thunderous noise of the storm.
For more information or to order a book chronicling local history, visit flohrslutheran.org
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1863.
Location.
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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of School House and Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Middlekauff Manor (approx. 0.2 miles away); McKnightstown (approx. 0.6 miles away); Highway Enterprise (approx. Ύ mile away); Cashtown (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named McKnightstown (approx. 1.1 miles away); Roads West (approx. 1.2 miles away); Imboden's Brigade (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McKnightstown.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
2. The Battle of Gettysburg: The Cashtown Road Marker site
The marker is at the edge of the old cemetery.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
3. Flohr Evangelical Lutheran Church
Postwar building across the road.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
4. Inset
“Distant Thunder” by Mort Kunstler
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
5. Inset
“The Retreat from Gettysburg” by Allen Christian Redwood
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 15, 2019
6. Inset
The barn at Kuhns Orchard is just one of the local buildings used as field hospitals for the wounded. About 40-45 soldiers were treated here at one time.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 3,453 times since then and 170 times this year. Last updated on October 24, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 1, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
