Gettysburg Campaign
Mount Joy Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The Union Army 12th Corps arrived here the afternoon of July 1, 1863; and later moved into battle line on Culp's Hill. On July 2, the 6th Corps arrived by this same road, and the 5th Corps by the Hanover Road.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
As the fighting opened, Union reinforcements streamed toward Gettysburg along these country roads. The 12th Corps reached this point on the afternoon of July 1, 1863, and soon took position on Culp's Hill, the anchor of the Union right. Over the next day the 6th and 5th Corps followed, filling out the fishhook line that would hold against Lee's attacks.
Why it matters
The rapid concentration of the Union army on strong high ground was the foundation of the victory at Gettysburg.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center1.0 mi away
- Gettysburg Museum1.0 mi away
- Battlefield Military Museum1.3 mi away
- Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association1.6 mi away
- Casteel Sculptures1.6 mi away · 789 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Lincoln Train Museum1.7 mi away · 426 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA
Attractions
- John Eisenhower Bridge3.2 mi away · Waterworks Road
- Sachs Covered Bridge3.6 mi away
- Sachs Covered Bridge3.6 mi away · Waterworks Road, Gettysburg, PA
Food & drink
- Reid's Winery Cider House1.8 mi away · 400 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Li's Buffet2.0 mi away · 165 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Upper Crust Pizza2.1 mi away · 19 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Borough BBQ2.1 mi away · 15 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Chinatown Kitchen2.1 mi away · 25 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Blue & Gray Bar & Grill2.1 mi away · 2 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
Places to stay
- City Express0.7 mi away · 1857 Gettysburg Village Drive, Gettysburg, PA
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites0.8 mi away · 1971 Gettysburg Village Drive, Gettysburg, PA
- Comfort Suites1.3 mi away · 945 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA
- Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield1.7 mi away · 380 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA
- Colton Motel1.7 mi away · 232 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA
- Best Western1.7 mi away · 301 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related events
- · Gettysburg Campaign
- · Battle of Gettysburg
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
61st PA Smith
Mount Joy Township, PA
This tablet marks where the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry stood at Gettysburg, the July 1863 clash that halted Lee's invasion of the North. After a grueling 37-mile forced march, the regiment reached the field late on July 2nd as part of the 6th Corps — the army's largest reserve — and held this position through the close of battle on July 3rd. Such rapid marches by fresh troops were exactly what let the Union army mass overwhelming strength at the decisive moment.
US 21st PA Cavalry Co B Bingham
Cumberland Township, PA
A short distance from here, on June 26, 1863 — days before the great battle opened — Private George M. Sandoe of Captain Robert Bell's independent Adams County cavalry company was shot and killed as Confederate forces advanced on Gettysburg. His unit was later folded into Company B of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Sandoe is remembered as the first Union soldier killed at Gettysburg.
2nd US Artillery Battery B & L Heaton
Cumberland Township, PA
This marker stands on the Gettysburg battlefield, where in July 1863 the Army of the Potomac turned back Robert E. Lee's second invasion of the North in the bloodiest battle ever fought in America. It records the position of Batteries B and L of the 2nd United States Artillery — horse artillery attached to the Cavalry Corps, armed with six 3-inch ordnance rifles under Lieutenant Edward Heaton. Mobile guns like these rode with the cavalry, unlimbering quickly to support fast-moving mounted operations on the army's flanks.
US 28th PA Flynn
Cumberland Township, PA
The 28th Pennsylvania Infantry took this position around 8 a.m. on July 2, 1863, spreading out as skirmishers and trading fire with the enemy through the day before rejoining its brigade that evening. Skirmishers fought ahead of the main line, probing the enemy and screening the army's movements — dangerous, often overlooked work. The regiment's day here formed part of the wider struggle on this side of the Gettysburg field.