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

The Battle of Fountain Dale

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

1. The Battle of Fountain Dale Marker

Inscription.

The Battle of Fountain Dale. . Fountain Dale is located between Jack's Mountain and Beard's Hill, and is also connected to two major mountain gaps, Monterey Pass and Fairfield Gap, which would prove to be fighting ground all of it's own. Troops on both sides needed to keep the mountain gaps open for communication purposes, especially the Confederates in case of a retreat. Scouts and pickets used the outskirts of Fountain Dale to see the movements of troops that were coming from the direction of Emmitsburg, Fairfield and also Greencastle. Union General John Buford recorded and watched the Confederate invasion from Fountain Dale., A small band of the Keystone Rangers (Co. "C", Coles Cavalry) under the command of Lt. William Horner volunteered themselves for scouting duty near Fairfield. On June 28th, a small mounted Confederate detail was searching for supplies and fresh horses when it was spotted by Horner's men. A clash then erupted between the two details. Sergeant Oliver A. Horner later recalled, "Fifteen of the Confederate Raiders were captured and some 20 horses were recovered". Some farms in the area reported horses, livestock and clothing being confiscated by these Confederate soldiers. Local residents were also encouraged to take inventory of their livestock and to report any missing animals to the local sheriff., The second battle of Fountain Dale took place on July 4th, during the retreat of the Confederate forces from Gettysburg. Kilpatrick's Federal Cavalry Division charged through the town of Fountain Dale, while the Confederate wagons were retreating from Gettysburg under the command of General Imboden. At Fountain Dale, the 1st Michigan Cavalry occupied the road leading from the right of town to Fairfield Gap, where the enemy was found., A little before 9:00 pm the Federals came in contact with the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry under Captain Emack stationed near Fountain Dale with one cannon. At 9:00 pm Captain Emack ordered his small band of troops with only one cannon to attack the Federals. By 3:30 am General Kilpatrick and his men had pushed the Confederates back and gained the mountain summit.

Fountain Dale is located between Jack's Mountain and Beard's Hill, and is also connected to two major mountain gaps, Monterey Pass and Fairfield Gap, which would prove to be fighting ground all of it's own. Troops on both sides needed to keep the mountain gaps open for communication purposes, especially the Confederates in case of a retreat. Scouts and pickets used the outskirts of Fountain Dale to see the movements of troops that were coming from the direction of Emmitsburg, Fairfield and also Greencastle. Union General John Buford recorded and watched the Confederate invasion from Fountain Dale.

A small band of the Keystone Rangers (Co. "C", Coles Cavalry) under the command of Lt. William Horner volunteered themselves for scouting duty near Fairfield. On June 28th, a small mounted Confederate detail was searching for supplies and fresh horses when it was spotted by Horner's men. A clash then erupted between the two details. Sergeant Oliver A. Horner later recalled, "Fifteen of the Confederate Raiders were captured and some 20 horses were recovered". Some farms in the area reported horses, livestock and clothing being confiscated by these Confederate soldiers. Local residents were also encouraged to take inventory of their livestock and to report any missing animals to the local sheriff.

The second battle of Fountain Dale

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took place on July 4th, during the retreat of the Confederate forces from Gettysburg. Kilpatrick's Federal Cavalry Division charged through the town of Fountain Dale, while the Confederate wagons were retreating from Gettysburg under the command of General Imboden. At Fountain Dale, the 1st Michigan Cavalry occupied the road leading from the right of town to Fairfield Gap, where the enemy was found.

A little before 9:00 pm the Federals came in contact with the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry under Captain Emack stationed near Fountain Dale with one cannon. At 9:00 pm Captain Emack ordered his small band of troops with only one cannon to attack the Federals. By 3:30 am General Kilpatrick and his men had pushed the Confederates back and gained the mountain summit.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1862.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 39° 44.724′ N, 77° 27.227′ W. Marker is near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Hamiltonban Township. Marker is at the intersection of Old Waynesboro Road and Iron Springs Road, on the right when traveling north on Old Waynesboro Road. Located in the parking lot of the Fountain Dale Volunteer Fire Department. Touch for map.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 11, 2015

2. The Battle of Fountain Dale Marker

The original marker has been replaced by a new marker with a different layout and text.

Marker is at or near this postal address: 1340 Old Waynesboro Road, Fairfield PA 17320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. The Battle of Monterey Pass (here, next to this marker); Before The Battle Of Gettysburg (here, next to this marker); The Battle Of Monterey Pass (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

More about this marker. This marker was replaced by a new one named Before The Battle Of Gettysburg (see nearby markers).

Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Monterey Pass. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Association provides an excellent driving tour guide of the area. (Submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. The Battle for Fairfield Pass. Article detailing the fighting in nearby

Wesley Methodist Evangelican Chapel in Fountain Dale image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 11, 2015

3. Wesley Methodist Evangelican Chapel in Fountain Dale

Once thought to be the site of June 28 skirmish.

Fairfield Pass. (Submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

4. The Battle of Fountain Dale Marker

Initial Contact image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

5. Initial Contact

General Kilpatrick's troopers first encountered pickets of Captain Emack's Marylanders while advancing up the hill beyond the marker's location.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,453 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2016, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on June 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.