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

Fight Like the Devil

July 1, Dawn—10:30 am

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Fight Like the Devil Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

1. Fight Like the Devil Marker

Inscription. Union General John Buford arrived in Gettysburg with 2,700 cavalrymen on June 30. Detecting the advance of the Confederate Army, he deployed his troopers in a seven-mile arc around the town, determined to delay their advance. The morning of July 1, 7,000 Confederate infantry approaching from the west and north (in front of you and to your right) collided with Buford's dismounted cavalry. Using the ridges to his advantage, his men traded lives for time, slowing the advance of General Harry Heth's Confederates. By 9:15 am Buford knew he may have to abandon the field. At this critical moment Union General John Reynolds arrived. The 10,000 infantrymen of his First Army Corps were not far behind.

They will attack you in the morning and will come booming...You will have to fight like the devil to hold your own.
Union General John Buford to Colonel Thomas Devin, June 30, 1863

(caption)
Buford's dismounted cavalry functioned as infantry with three troopers firing while one held four horses. Outnumbered 2,700 to 7,000, Buford's delay was successful.

Erected 2022 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

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.

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39° 50.071′ N, 77° 15.022′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Reynolds Avenue South north of Stone-Meredith Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located at Auto Tour Stop 1 at the East end of McPherson Woods in Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 Reynolds Ave S, 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. "Forward Men" (here, next to this marker); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Gen. John F. Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Division (within shouting distance of this marker); First Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); First Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 151st Pennsylvania Infantry (about 300 feet away); 8th New York Cavalry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Regarding Fight Like the Devil. Elsewhere are seen references to Henry Heth (i.e, first name is not Harry).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Monuments and Markers".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

2. Fight Like the Devil Marker

The lower right section of the marker, with additional text

. National Park Service (Submitted on April 12, 2022.)

The Two Wayside Markers at Auto Tour Stop 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, March 4, 2022

3. The Two Wayside Markers at Auto Tour Stop 1

The marker on the left is entitled "Fight Like the Devil" and the one on the right is entitled "Forward Men."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.