Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
North Along Carlisle Street
"It seemed so awful…"
Durign the retreat on July 1st by the Union 11th Corps, this area was a mass of demoralized troops and military vehicles frantically trying to escape pursuing Confederate rifle fire. Captain Fred Winkler, 26th Wisconsin Regiment, stood here and paused to emotionally reflect upon the scene: "It seemed so awful.... It was the most humiliating step I ever took."
The sketch shown here was created by artist Alfred Waud of Harper's Weekly, and depicts the railroad station and Sheads and Buehler's hardware warehouse in the right foreground. McConaughy's Hall and the Washington Hotel buildings are visible on the left. Only the railroad station still stands.
The center is dominated by a barricade thrown up along the railroad tracks across Carlisle Street at some point during the fighting.
Erected 2024 by Main Street Gettysburg. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Main Street Gettysburg series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.897′ N,
this page online
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 Majestic Theater (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg College (within shouting distance of this marker); Hub of History (within shouting distance of this marker); The Diamond (within shouting distance of this
Other markers no longer nearby. "It seemed so awful…" (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Gettysburg R.R. Depot (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "… It was enough to frighten us to death!" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "by the skin of our teeth" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
