The Pennypacker Compendium: Gettysburg Records By CivilWarTalk Published: January 14, 2008 PrintEmail
Youngest Casualty - Edward McPherson, Age 3, Died July 5th, 1863. Although it was strictly prohibited by the provost marshal's office in town, many would wander about the battlefield collecting souvenirs, principally rifles. Among the many children that roamed the battlefield in curiosity, were Edward McPherson and his older brother. The older brother picked up a gun, still loaded, and it discharged. On that Sunday, July 5th, the three-year-old Edward became the youngest fatality on the Gettysburg battlefield.
First Shot at Battle of Gettysburg - Claimed to be Lt. Marcellus Jones, 8th Illinois Cavalry, Just after 7am on July 1st, 1863. "The 8th Illinois sent a squadron out on the Chambersburg pike . . . and picketed the ridge east of Marsh Creek, posting an advance picket on the pike at a blacksmith's shop near the bridge over Marsh Creek. The 12th Illinois and 3rd Indiana picketed the ridge to the right of the 8th Illinois picket line . . . In the early morn, our pickets on the ridge east of Marsh Creek observed a cloud of dust rising at the foot of the mountains, over Cashtown, seven miles away. This cloud came nearer and nearer, as Heth's division . . . marched down the pike toward Gettysburg town. As the enemy in gray neared the stone bridge across Marsh Creek, an officer, riding at the head of his column, halted by the stone coping to allow his men to pass. Lieutenant Jones, in command of the 8th Illinois picket-line, standing in the pike, took the carbine of Sergeant Shafer, raised it to his shoulder, aimed at the officer sitting on his horse, and fired 'the first shot at the battle of Gettysburg.' Archer's Tennessee brigade crossed the bridge, deployed skirmishers . . . and advanced."
First Cannon Shot at Battle of Gettysburg - Standard 3-inch Ordanance Rifle, Serial No. 233. This gun is one of four 3-inch ordnance rifles of Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery that today stand at the base of the Buford monument at Gettysburg, on the spot where they fired the opening artillery salvo of that pivotal battle.
First Soldier Killed at Gettysburg - Pvt. George W. Sandoe, 21st Pennsylvania Independent Cavalry, Co. B, June 26, 1863. To George W. Sandoe goes the dubious "honor" of being the first Union soldier killed at Gettysburg. Sandoe was a member of Company B. Indpt. 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry. Upon arriving at Gettysburg June 26th 1863, General Gordon (Confederate 2nd Corps, Early's Division) sent out a picket line on the Baltimore Pike. As these pickets reached the Nathaniel Lightner property, Sandoe along with William Lightner, also a member of Company B, aproached the Pike, coming across the McAllister field from the direction of Rock creek. Owing to a growth of bushes and trees along the fence, they did not discover the Confederate pickets until they were ordered to halt. Lightner at once jumped his horse across the fence and escaped by riding rapidly down the pike. Sandoe's horse fell in making the leap, and in attempting to escape by riding back in the direction from which he came, Sandoe was shot and killed. This incident occurred four days before General Buford's troopers arrived at Gettysburg, and five days before the "official" start of the battle. Sandoe lies buried at Mount Joy Church, in Mount Joy, Adams County Pennsylvania.
First Soldier Killed in Battle of Gettysburg - Unknown for sure, possibly Cpl. Cyrus W. James, 9th New York Cavalry, Co. G. The Corporal was killed during a skirmish with Ewell's troops north of Gettysburg.
First Confederate Soldier Killed in Battle of Gettysburg - Unknown Impossible to determine again, but possibly a skirmisher in Ewell's Corps who was shot dead by Daniel Cornish of the 9th NY Cavalry, north of town.
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