HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Gettysburg Campaign

Franklin Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Marker Inscription

Crossing South Mountain from Chambersburg, Gen. Hill's Corps of Lee's army assembled here on June 29-30, 1863. On July 1, his advance guard moved up from near Marsh Creek and met Union troops west of Gettysburg.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Story

In the last days of June 1863, Confederate columns poured east over South Mountain from Chambersburg as Lee concentrated his scattered army in the Pennsylvania countryside. A. P. Hill's corps gathered here on June 29–30, and on July 1 its advance guard pushed toward Gettysburg, colliding with Union troops west of town. That chance meeting opened the greatest battle ever fought on American soil.

Why it matters

The roads and ridges of Adams County funneled two great armies toward a collision that would become the turning point of the Civil War.

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Related people

  • · A. P. Hill
  • · Robert E. Lee

Related events

  • · Gettysburg Campaign
  • · Battle of Gettysburg

Themes & tags

Civil WarLandmark

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