Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The First Shot
July 1, 7:30am
Here, at the Ephraim Wisler House, troopers of the 8th Illinois Cavalry established an advance picket post. Their mission was to guard the Chambersburg Pike and alert Union Gen. John Buford’s cavalry division, one-mile behind you, of any enemy movement towards Gettysburg. At 7:30 am, advancing Confederates were sighted crossing Marsh Creek one half mile to your front. Union Lt. Marcellus Jones rested a carbine on a nearby fence post and pulled the trigger. Jones’ shot was likely the first fired during the Battle of Gettysburg. Over the next two days, an estimated 7 million bullets were fired, causing more than 51,000 casualties and forever changing the nation.
Erected by National Park Service.
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° 51.054′ N, 77° 16.819′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker can be reached from Chambersburg Road east of Knoxlyn Road, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1495 Chambersburg Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Shot - Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Twenty Sixth Pennsylvania Emergency Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Michael Crist Farm (approx. 1.2 miles away); Touring the Battlefield (approx. 1.7 miles away); 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Brigade (approx. 1.8 miles away); 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. First Shot - Gettysburg
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.