Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Center Square
"...by the skin of our teeth."
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 26, 2025
1. Center Square Marker
On July 1, 1863, Gettysburg's center square was the eye in the storm of panic and confusion that swirled in the town's streets and alleys as the routed Union 1st and 11th Corps fled toward the safety of Cemetery Hill.
Some Union soldiers rallied here in an attempt to stem the Confederate pursuit. Union artillery deployed nearby and sent "grape shot" flying across the square. The relentless Confederate pressure, however quickly drove the defenders further down Baltimore Street.
The pursuing Confederates took possession of the square and poured deadly fire along the streets into their fleeing foes.
Col. Gilbert Prey, commander of the 104th New York whose regiment survived the hailstorm of bullets, recalled getting through the town "by the skin of our teeth." Many of his comrades were not so fortunate.
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.872′ N, 77° 13.846′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is at the intersection of York Street and Carlisle Street, on the right when traveling west on York Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Lincoln Square, 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.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. "by the skin of our teeth" (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This replaces the previous wayside with the new version of the Main Street Gettysburg waysides that have been appearing throughout the town.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The previous version of the wayside at this site - "...by the skin of our teeth."
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 31 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photographs of the waysite location and area. • Can you help?
