Franklin Township near Cashtown in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cashtown Inn
Conference in the Road
— Gettysburg Campaign —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 24, 2024
After a stunning victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia through Maryland into Pennsylvania, marching east to threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The Army of the Potomac marched north from the capital, searching for Lee. On July 1-3, the armies collided at Gettysburg in one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. Three days later, after a bloody defeat, the Confederates began retracing their steps to Virginia.
You are standing where Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. A.P. Hill stood on the morning of July 1, 1863, as they listened to the sounds of a growing battle in the distance, a few miles east, near Gettysburg. There, two Confederate infantry brigades clashed with two Union cavalry brigades and, because the armies were marching toward each other, the fighting intensified as additional troops arrived. Soon, the rest of Hill's corps hurried forward to join the fray.
This was not the first time that Confederates had marched past the Cashtown Inn. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had led his cavalrymen past this spot in October 1862 while on a raid. On this day, however, as tavernkeeper Jacob Mickley later wrote, "The entire rebel force under General Lee came down the Chambersburg Pike, passing within twenty feet of my bar room dore [sic]." With thousands of hungry and thirsty Confederates marching by, it is no wonder that Mickley lost by his own account at wagon, a horse, a steer, 50 chickens, 100 apple trees, and 480 gallons of whiskey and brandy - more than $2,000 in damages.
[Sidebar:]
Peter Mark probably constructed the brick building known as the Cashtown Inn between 1804 and 1806. In 1813, a new road was built between Chambersburg and Gettysburg, and the enterprising Mark applied for a tavern license in 1815. He operated a tavern here for the next three decades. Henry Mickley bought the building in 1854, and his son Jacob Mickley ran the establishment during the Civil War. He sold the inn to Daniel and Mary Heintzelman in 1864, and they operated it until 1890. More than ninety years later, after passing through the hands of many owners, the Cashtown Inn was restored. Today, the historic tavern continues to serve travelers and visitors to south-central Pennsylvania.
Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1863.
Location. 39° 53.078′ N, 77° 21.625′ W. Marker is near Cashtown, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Franklin Township. Marker is at the intersection of Chambersburg Road (Old U.S. 30) and High Street, on the right when traveling west on Chambersburg Road. Located the front steps of the Cashtown Inn on Old U.S. Highway 30. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1325 Old Rte 30, Orrtanna PA 17353, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Imboden's Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Roads West (within shouting distance of this marker); Cashtown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cashtown (approx. half a mile away); The Battle of Gettysburg: The Cashtown Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Site of School House and Burial Ground (approx. 1.3 miles away); Traveling the Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cashtown.
More about this marker. In the center is a painting titled "Serious Work Ahead," by Dale Gallon. It depicts the meeting discussed in the marker text. Gen. Robert E. Lee confers with Gen. A.P. Hill in front of the Cashtown Inn, July 1, 1863, as the Battle of Gettysburg begins. On the lower left is a period map indicating the location of the inn.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 24, 2024
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,990 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 24, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on January 31, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on May 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.