This is a quick find on a Civil War Trails Marker in our hometown. There is ample parking next to the marker at the Western Maryland Railroad Museum or in the park across the street which you can use for other local caches as well. Bring a pen.
During the final years of the Civil War, the Union Army moved to intercept the Confederate Army that was moving north through Mayland and Pennsylvania. Using local roads in Carroll and Frederick County Mayland the 2 armies eventually met and clashed north of this location in the famous battle of Gettysburg. On the morning of July 1, 1863, the first day of the battle, Reynolds was commanding the left wing" of the Army of the Potomac, with operational control over the I, III, and XI Corps, and Brig. Gen. John Buford's cavalry division. Buford occupied the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and set up light defensive lines north and west of the town. He resisted the approach of two Confederate infantry brigades on the Chambersburg Pike until the nearest Union infantry, Reynolds' I Corps, began to arrive. Reynolds rode out ahead of the 1st Division, met with Buford, and then accompanied some of his soldiers, probably from Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler's brigade, into the fighting at Herbst's Woods. Troops began arriving from Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith's Iron Brigade, and as Reynolds was supervising the placement of the 2nd Wisconsin, he yelled at them, "Forward men! For God's sake forward!" At that moment he fell from his horse with a wound in the back of the upper neck, or lower head, and died almost instantly becoming the highest ranking officer killed at Gettysburg. Reynolds was beloved by most everyone he came in contact with and was widely regarded as one of the most capable generals in the entire Civil War.
This marker details part of his last ride to his final eternal rest in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Next to this marker is a marker honoring local veterans as well as the Western Maryland Railroad Museum which is open Sundays from 12-4.
Enjoy !!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Reynolds
http://www.brotherswar.com/Gettysburg-1d.htm