Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Buford

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008

1. Buford Monument

The statue was sculpted by James Kelly. The four guns at the base are all 3-inch Ordnance Rifles of the type used by Calef's Battery (A Battery, 2nd U.S. Artillery). The registry numbers for the pieces are 233 (first shot gun), 244, 632, and 756. The later two were produced in 1864, after the battle.

Inscription. (Front):In Memory of
Major General
John Buford
Comdg. 1st Div. Cav. Corps
Army of the Potomac
who with the
first inspiration of
a cavalry officer
selected this battlefield
July 1st. 1863.
(Back):From this crest
was fired
the opening gun
of the battle:
one of the four
cannon
at the base of
this memorial.

Erected 1892.

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° 50.277′ N, 77° 15.099′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is at the intersection of Chambersburg Pike (U.S. 30) and Stone Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Chambersburg Pike. Located near the McPherson Barn in Gettysburg National Military Park. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hall's 2nd Maine Battery (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General John Fulton Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery A, Second U.S. Artillery (within shouting distance of

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this marker); 149th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Touring the Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward McPherson Farm (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Also see . . . Report of Brig. Gen. John Buford. Of the first day actions, Buford would write:
On July 1, between 8 and 9 a.m., reports came in from the First Brigade (Colonel Gamble's) that the enemy was coming down from toward Cashtown in force. Colonel Gamble made an admirable line of battle, and moved off proudly to meet him. The two lines soon became hotly engaged, we having the advantage of position, he of numbers. The First Brigade held its own for more than two hours, and had to be literally dragged back a few hundred yards to a position more secure and better sheltered. Tidball s battery, commanded by Lieutenant Calef, Second U.S. Artillery, fought on this occasion as is seldom witnessed. At one time the enemy had a concentric fire upon this battery from twelve guns, all at short range.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008

2. Front Inscription
Calef held his own gloriously, worked his guns deliberately with great judgment and skill, and with wonderful effect upon the enemy. The First Brigade maintained this unequal contest until the leading division of General Reynolds' corps came up to its assistance, and then most reluctantly did it give up the front. A portion of the Third Indiana found horse-holders, borrowed muskets, and fought with the Wisconsin regiment that came to relieve them. While this left of my line was engaged, Devin's brigade, on the right, had its hands full The enemy advanced upon Devin by four roads, and on each was checked and held until the leading division of the Eleventh Corps came to his relief. (Submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Back Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008

3. Back Inscription

Buford Statue in Gettysburg image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010

4. Buford Statue in Gettysburg

Gen. John Buford looks out over the Chambersburg Pike, in the direction of the Confederate advance on July 1, 1863.

Closeup of Gen. John Buford Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010

5. Closeup of Gen. John Buford Statue

Gun That Fired the First Shot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

6. Gun That Fired the First Shot

The four cannon guarding the base of the statue
belonged to
Horse Battery "A" 2nd U.S. Artillery
This piece was
the opening gun of the battle
fired from this spot
under the personal direction of Gen. Buford.
July First, 1863.

Muzzle of the "First Shot" Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

7. Muzzle of the "First Shot" Gun

Not often can a specific gun be traced back to a specific event. In this case Lt. Calef was able to identify the gun by the registry number. The number and other information is still legible today on the muzzle. No. 233 - PICo. - 1862 - 816 lbs. - TTSL. Translated this indicates registry number 233, produced by the Phoenix Iron Company, in 1862, weighing 816 pounds, inspected by Theodore Thadeus Sobieski Laidley.

General John Buford image. Click for full size.

8. General John Buford

General Buford in a wartime portrait.

(Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0889, Call No. LC-B813- 2171 A[P&P])

The "First Shot" Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 16, 2008

9. The "First Shot" Gun

Grave of Maj. Gen. John Buford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2009

10. Grave of Maj. Gen. John Buford

John Buford is buried in West Point Cemetery at the U.S. Military Academy. Buford's grave is the memorial with the eagle on top. Immediately to the left is the grave of Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who died at the Angle during Pickett's Charge. Also visible behind Buford's grave is the grave of fellow cavalryman Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,043 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on November 13, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 10. submitted on September 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.