Emmitsburg: Road to Gettysburg

History: During the war, Emmitsburg was a union supply depot and home of the Roman Catholic Daughters of Charity, who helped tend to wounded soldiers. On June 29th the I Corps, in pursuit of Lee's men, marched to Frederick from Middletown and camped in the western suburbs. By dawn the next day, the Corps had departed for Emmitsburg, where it bivouacked on the heights north of town.

More to Explore: Emmitsburg's close proximity to Gettysburg makes it an excellent place to visit. Do some shopping at one of the town's gift or antique shops, or stop for lunch on your way to the Gettysburg Battlefield. Emmitsburg also houses The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, which draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. In Emmitsburg you will also find the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial, which is open to the public throughout the year.

Photo Credits:

1. “The Farmer's Inn and Hotel, Emmitsburg, July 1863. Located on the east end of the town's main street. Union troops leaving after Gettysburg passed this way heading south,” by photographer James F. Gibson.
2. “The Toll House on the Emmitsburg Pike. In 1863, this was one of the roads used by Union Troops coming into town; they encamped about a mile away to the northwest.”
3. “Drawing of Meade’s army in pursuit of General Lee’s Army near Emmitsburg. Prints courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.