Meade School Location 1880's T&N

Another view looking west on Chambersburg Pike. You can see the monument in the center, next to the mailbox.
Capture.JPG
 
I find this monument to the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia Infantry particularly interesting. When I take people to Gettysburg, I frequently make a very quick stop at this monument to explain the brief action that occurred on June 26, 1863. Most people when they visit Gettysburg think of action only on the first three days of July.

Early had burned Thaddeus Stevens' Iron works in nearby Caledonia that morning, then marched through Cashtown. The 26th Pa arrived in Gettysburg via train on June 26th. Within an hour of arrival, they met up with Captain Robert Bell's militia cavalry and marched west on the Cashtown Pike to look for Confederates. Look at Greg's Google map photo and imagine them marching west going past the pinned first shot marker.

They halted near Marsh Creek on the Samuel Lohr farm. Some of Bell's men were sent ahead to scout the road. They saw the advance of Early's men and quickly fell back. However they were spotted and 40 men were captured by the Confederates as the balance fell back to Gettysburg. One of Bell's men in an attempt to escape was killed along the Baltimore Pike. That man has lived on in Gettysburg trivia history to be the first Union soldier killed in and around the Gettysburg Battlefield. He was Private George Washington Sandoe.

I almost always drive past the Cashtown Inn coming into Gettysburg. Most people are totally unaware of this small marker that talks about action on June 26. It is a worthwhile 2 minute stop to describe this action that few know about. Cool photos guys and thanks for posting it.
 
I almost always drive past the Cashtown Inn coming into Gettysburg. Most people are totally unaware of this small marker that talks about action on June 26. It is a worthwhile 2 minute stop to describe this action that few know about. Cool photos guys and thanks for posting it.

I need to do this. I've never been west of the "first shot" marker.
 
I need to do this. I've never been west of the "first shot" marker.


I come in from the west so it is natural for me. I always turn off of modern day Route 30 just past Mr Ed's and drive east on the old Lincoln Highway. That road parallels modern day 30 and goes past the Cashtown Inn and eventually T's back with 30. As you drive east, just pay attention once you cross the Marsh Creek bridge. Look for the auto salvage and the 26th just a short dive on your left. Once you leave there and are back on route 30, pay attention to the church on your left, as you drive further east, take the first right past that church on Knoxlyn Road, do a quick 180 and park facing route 30 and you will be looking at the first shot marker. Another quick stop, but well worth the effort. Love these little stops.
 
I find this monument to the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia Infantry particularly interesting. When I take people to Gettysburg, I frequently make a very quick stop at this monument to explain the brief action that occurred on June 26, 1863. Most people when they visit Gettysburg think of action only on the first three days of July.

Early had burned Thaddeus Stevens' Iron works in nearby Caledonia that morning, then marched through Cashtown. The 26th Pa arrived in Gettysburg via train on June 26th. Within an hour of arrival, they met up with Captain Robert Bell's militia cavalry and marched west on the Cashtown Pike to look for Confederates. Look at Greg's Google map photo and imagine them marching west going past the pinned first shot marker.

They halted near Marsh Creek on the Samuel Lohr farm. Some of Bell's men were sent ahead to scout the road. They saw the advance of Early's men and quickly fell back. However they were spotted and 40 men were captured by the Confederates as the balance fell back to Gettysburg. One of Bell's men in an attempt to escape was killed along the Baltimore Pike. That man has lived on in Gettysburg trivia history to be the first Union soldier killed in and around the Gettysburg Battlefield. He was Private George Washington Sandoe.

I almost always drive past the Cashtown Inn coming into Gettysburg. Most people are totally unaware of this small marker that talks about action on June 26. It is a worthwhile 2 minute stop to describe this action that few know about. Cool photos guys and thanks for posting it.

I've heard the story a little differently.

The way I recall it, Colonel Jennings, commanding 26th PA Emergency Militia ( he was a veteran who was just back from a wound he got at Antietam) threw a skirmish line across Marsh Creek consisting of the few dozen veterans he had scattered amongst the unit.

The balance, probably 700 or so, set up camp on the east side of the creek.

Bells irregular cavalry was up front someplace; may have been.on a scout but when they and the skirmishers saw Confederate cavalry coming over the rise - I dont how far west of the creek that would be - they fired a volley and then skeddladdled back and Jennings told everybody to run.

(I've always wondered why they were there in the first place if all they planned on doing was running away at the first sight of some rebels on horseback.)

At that point Earlys horsemen were held up a bit because - as always - they stopped to rifle the tents and gear the 26th had abandoned.

Bells troopers took off towards town via the pike (Jennings men were trying to follow the railroad tracks back to Harrisburg). The rebels rode the "cavalry" down and that's when the small.fight broke out and Sandoe was killed.

There must be a definitive report someplace but I'm on my phone riding in a car and can't look around for it.

Maybe someone can locate a decent accou nt
 
Last edited:
And actually, the Rebels at Marsh Creek had an interesting history as well.

The 35th VS Cavalry battalion ( never big enough to be rated a regiment) began as border raiders on Loudon County VA, a role they seem to have drifted into and out of

They also served under Stonewall in the Valley and under Stuart at Brandy Station and had lately been under Grumble Jones which is why they were at Gettysburg instead of off far to the east.

They were screening Ewells force when they ran into the 26th at Marsh Creek.

Most significantly, they were the first Confederate unit to enter Gettysburg.

Later they rode all the way to the Susquehanna, burned a bunch of bridges and was the unit which captured Hanover PA.

Afterwards they participated in several famous campaigns including Mine Run.

They served as the rear guard unit for the AoNV on the retreat from Richmond, were the ones who escorted Grants messengers during his exchange with Lee and refused to participate in the surrender at Appomatox.

Instead they snuck around the Union lines and returned home without paroles.
 
Last edited:
And actually, the Rebels at Marsh Creek had an interesting history as well.

The 35th VS Cavalry battalion ( never big enough to be rated a regiment) began as border raiders on Loudon County VA, a role they seem to have drifted into and out of

They also served under Stonewall in the Valley and under Stuart at Bristow Station and had lately been under Grumble Jones which is why they were at Gettysburg instead of off far to the east.

They were screening Ewells force when they ran into the 26th at Marsh Creek.

Most significantly, they were the first Confederate unit to enter Gettysburg.

Later they rode all the way to the Susquehanna, burned a bunch of bridges and was the unit which captured Hanover PA.

Afterwards they participated in several famous campaigns including Mine Run.

They served as the rear guard unit for the AoNV on the retreat from Richmond, were the ones who escorted Grants messengers during his exchange with Lee and refused to participate in the surrender at Appomatox.

Instead they snuck around the Union lines and returned home without paroles.

The 35th Va. Btt'n. was also known as White's Comanches after their commander, Lt. Col. Elija "Lige" White, and are the subject of their very own print by historical artist Don Troiani depicting their charge at Brandy Station:

brandy-station1-jpg.69864.jpg
 
Back
Top