7th OVI
Sergeant
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
- Messages
- 638
On June 30th, 1863, Federal cavalry, the newly formed 1st Cavalry Division commanded by General Buford, approached Gettysburg from Emmitsburg Maryland and then through the town and to the outskirts where the lead squadron spotted elements of General Pettigrew’s Confederates to the west on the Cashtown Pike. One of the brigades, under Col. Gamble, would pursue the Confederates and take position to the west of the town. The first regiment in line based on the daily rotation was the 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment also known as the “Big Abolition Regiment”. The brigade would move forward to Herr’s ridge with the 8th in the lead and set up headquarters around the old tavern near the Chambersburg Pike and set up pickets or vedettes to the west of the town. A company from the lead regiment, the 8th Illinois Cavalry, was sent a mile further down the pike to set up a line of vedettes on Knoxlyn Ridge further to the west to give advance warning of any Confederate threats. The company selected for the advance vedettes was E Company, commanded by Lt. Marcellus Jones. Jones and 35 troopers arrived at blacksmith Ephriam Wisler’s brick house and outbuildings on the ridge in late evening of June 30th and would sleep on saddles and blanket rolls before deploying in skirmish line at first light. Within the next 24 hours Lt. Jones, accompanied by Lt. Riddler and Sgt. Shafer will fire the opening shot (a few others make a similar claim) of the battle of Gettysburg around 7:30 AM on Wednesday July 1st. Jones would borrow Shafer’s carbine and fire at an officer leading Confederates across the Marsh Creek bridge. The officer could have been Col. Fry of the 13th Alabama Infantry. For the record, Jones missed.
In 1886, a marker was placed on this spot and gives credit to the 3 men. The marker is still there.
This diorama shows the first platoon of E Company as it moves off the Chambersburg Pike and executes the commands Jones probably would have given to do so “Front into line, March “, then “Halt, Right dress” with finally “Front, Dismount”.
As always, let me know what you think. Thx Chris
In 1886, a marker was placed on this spot and gives credit to the 3 men. The marker is still there.
This diorama shows the first platoon of E Company as it moves off the Chambersburg Pike and executes the commands Jones probably would have given to do so “Front into line, March “, then “Halt, Right dress” with finally “Front, Dismount”.
As always, let me know what you think. Thx Chris
