Washington Township near Waynesboro in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Monterey Pass
The Initial Breakthrough
The 5th Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Russell Alger, arrived here where they were ordered to dismount and get onto the ground. It wasn’t long until Colonel Alger realized that the wooden bridge was still intact. The bridge was in a very exposed place and it wasn’t long until they came under heavy fire. Another courier was sent back to the Monterey Inn asking for additional troops for the breakthrough. General Kilpatrick ordered the 1st Ohio Cavalry, Company A, and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry to support the Wolverines.
Colonel Alger and several of his command charged over the bridge, and filed off to the left. There, they formed a hasty battle line. Portions of the 6th Michigan Cavalry also charged over the bridge in support of the new position. This allowed the 1st West Virginia Cavalry to charge and break through the Confederate battle line, with the 1st Ohio Cavalry, Company A in support.
“Arriving at the bridge, I dismounted and found that the 6th Michigan, firing across at the enemy, while in the middle of the road and to the left of it, and the bridge was unoccupied. It was a very exposed place. The night was very dark, and in order to take in the situation I ordered my men to lie down. After being under fire for a few minutes, I became satisfied that the planking of the bridge had not been torn up and I decided to charge across it. It was not a long one, but it spanned, I think, a very deep gorge judging by the sound of the water, which was very high and running beneath it.”
Colonel Russell Alger, 5th Michigan Cavalry
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1863.
Location. 39° 44.309′ N, 77° 28.747′ W. Marker is near Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. It is in Washington Township. Marker is on Charmian Road, 0.1 miles east of Buchanan Trail East (Pennsylvania Route 16), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14306 Charmian Rd, Waynesboro PA 17268, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Retreat From Gettysburg (a few steps from this marker); Brown's Spring (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); South Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); 10,000 Soldiers Fight at Monterey Pass (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waynesboro.
More about this marker. Chronologically, this is the last of a series of four markers on the Billy Yank Trail
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on May 22, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.