Emmitsburg to Gettysburg – Photo Tour of the 17th’s March

On June 30, 1863 the XI Corps was camped for the evening in and around the small Maryland town of Emmitsburg, about 9 miles south of Gettysburg. The three divisions on the corps stretched for some distance north of town. It is still possible today to retrace the route taken by the 17th on July 1, 1863 and still see some of the same things the soldiers saw on the way. Still, time marches on and there have been significant changes in the landscape as well. The area to the north of town where Barlow’s division was encamped is, for the most part, overtaken by modern development. One can still cross Middle Creek and Marsh Creek – only now you will do it over modern bridges.

These photos were taken in August 2012. In some cases, such as the area north of Gettysburg where the 17th marched out of town and to the far right of the Union line, it requires some imagination to picture open fields where many homes and businesses now stand. In other places little has changed.

As time goes on appropriate comments will be added from the accounts left by those who were there – some photos have them now, and all will have some once finished.

Clicking on the arrows will advance to the next photo or return to the previous photo, or you can just let the slideshow progress on its own.

View SE towards Emmitsburg

View N from North Seton Road

View NE from North Seton Road

N on Old Gettysburg Road leaving Emmitsburg

N on Old Gettysburg Road at PA border

Approach to Middle Creek

Moritz Tavern

View north from Moritz Tavern

Approaching Marsh Creek

Marsh Creek looking NW

Emmitsburg Road approaching Gettsyburg

Emmitsburg Road passing Round Tops

Passing Rose Farm

Approach to Sherfy and Klingle farms

Approaching Cordori farm

Emmitsburg Road near Bryan Farm

Emmitsburg Road to Baltimore St

Baltimore Street by Rupp

Baltimore Street approaching High Street

Baltimore Street approaching Middle Street

Carlisle Street crossing tracks

View towards site of Almshouse north of town

Area of Crawford house NE of town

1850s map of area

Crawford house NE of town

Area south of Stevens Run

1st position east of Harrisburg Road looking NE

1st position east of Harrisburg Road looking SW

2nd position west of Harrisburg Road looking N towards knoll

Route of 4 companies towards Rock Creek

Rock Creek

Benner Farm

Benner Farm looking south

Final position before knoll looking to knoll

Final position of the 17th prior to movement to knoll

Base of knoll looking north

Terrain passed on route to knoll

Route to final position

Knoll looking towards Blocher farm

Knoll looking towards Rock Creek and Benner Farm

Knoll looking towards Rock Creek and Benner Farm

17th position on Barlow's Knoll

Stratton Street retreat route

View towards Carlisle Street and lumberyard area

East Cemetery Hill towards Welty house

Cemetery Hill towards Welty house

Welty house south to Cemetery Hill

South towards Cemetery Hill position

1863 map section

17th monument from East Cemetery Hill

View from artillery position on East Cemetery Hill

Probable position of 17th CVI late afternoon July 2

Probable position of 17th CVI late afternoon, July 2