Washington Township near Waynesboro in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Before The Battle Of Gettysburg
The Skirmishes of Monterey Pass & Fountaindale
On June 22, 1863, a skirmish erupted at Monterey Pass, when Company D of the 14th Virginia cavalry attacked portions of Union Cavalry under the command of Captain Robert Bell, Captain Samuel Randall, and several members of the Gettysburg Home Guard. The Confederate skirmishers scoured the woods on foot along the Emmitsburg and Waynesboro Turnpike, forcing the militia to retreat towards Fairfield, using Maria Furnace Road, where the chase ended at dusk.
On June 28, a twenty-five man detail of Company C, of Cole’s Cavalry made their way through Monterey Pass moving to Fountaindale. Near Jacks Mountain Road, they intercepted a detachment of Confederate soldiers foraging for horses and supplies. After a brief engagement, all the Confederate raiders were captured.
On June 29, Union General John Buford’s cavalry division left Middletown, Maryland for Pennsylvania. At Monterey Pass, he observed Confederate troops marching in the distance at Greencastle. After a patriotic welcome by local residents, Buford’s cavalry moved towards Fountaindale, arriving there at 10:00p.m. He ordered his men to bivouack (sic) for a few hours before moving toward Fairfield.
On June 30, a 2:00 a.m., General Buford ordered the 6th New York Cavalry down Furnace Road to cover his left flank, while the rest of the division moved along Jacks Mountain Road. Both columns ran into Confederate pickets and engaged for a few minutes, before General Buford broke off the fight, and moved toward Emmitsburg, Maryland.
”An old man stood beside the road near Monterey Springs, with his hat off and tears streaming down his face. As the columns passed the men cheered him heartily.”
First Lieutenant Newel Cheney, 9th New York Cavalry, Buford’s Cavalry Division
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1863.
Location. 39° 44.39′ N, 77° 28.799′ W. Marker is near Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. It is in Washington Township. Marker can be reached from Charmian Road east of Buchanan Trail East/Waynesboro Road (Pennsylvania Route 16), on the left when traveling east. Marker can be reached from Rolando Woods Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Charmian Road, 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. Blue Ridge Summit Lions (within shouting distance of this marker); The Raid On Harpers Ferry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle of Monterey Pass (about 300 feet away); The Underground Railroad (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 19, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on August 1, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 7, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on February 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 7, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.