Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Cupola
On the late morning of June 30, 1863, Union General John Buford galloped into town with 3,000 cavalrymen. They established a camp in this vicinity and prepared to defend the town. On the eve of the battle, 13-year-old Lydia Ziegler climbed into the Seminary cupola and observed a number of unforgettable scenes. Below her, many of the Union soldiers solemnly penned letters to loved ones, others petitioned God "for His protecting care on the morrow." Ominously, Lydia also saw the enemy campfires on the eastern slope of South Mountain less than ten miles away.
Posted in the cupola the next morning, signal officer Lieutenant Aaron Jerome kept his chief apprised of development as the battle broke out a short distance to the west. Buford himself was in the perch when Major General John F. Reynolds arrived in advance of his 1st Corps infantrymen. According to Jerome, Reynolds inquired, "What's the matter, John?" In response, the gritty cavalry officer quipped, "The devil's to pay!"
The famous cupola used as an observation point during the battle, was rebuilt after a fire destroyed it in 1913. Tickets for special guided tours of the cupola are available in the museum lobby, allowing a few visitors at a time to experience the view that Buford saw on July 1, 1863.
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 10.)
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Gettysburg - Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Tour series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1864.
Location. 39° 49.966′ N, 77° 14.832′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Memorial can be reached from Seminary Ridge Avenue. Marker is best accessed by parking in the Seminary Ridge Museum parking lot and walking a short distance westward down the Historic Walking Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Battle for McPherson's Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Assault (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union Defense of Seminary Ridge (about 500 feet away); Habitat of Seminary Ridge (about 500 feet away); Gettysburg Campaign (about 600 feet away); Gettysburg Seminary (about 600 feet away); Elsie Singmaster (about 700 feet away); Emanuel Bell Tower (about 700 feet away); Stevens' Battery (about 700 feet away); Ewell's Corps (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 10 on the Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 914 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 10. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 11. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.