Mercersburg War History

    This picturesque town, birthplace of 15th President James Buchanan, was visited frequently by Confederate raiders during the war. Gen. Stuart and his cavalry (over 1,500 men) passed through, Oct 10, 1862, on first Chambersburg raid. During Gettysburg Campaign, Confederate foraging parties, including Mosby's and McNeil's Rangers, visited the town, July 5, 1863, nearly 700 wounded Confederates, captured by Union cavalry at Cumminghams Crossroads (now Cearfoss, MD) where brought here, many buildings became makeshift hospitals. Late afternoon, July 29. 1864, McCausland's cavalry fought a skirmish in the square with a detachment of the 6th U.S. cavalry. After driving them from town, the Confederates paused to rest and loot, before moving on to burn Chambersburg.

(*indicates private property, please view from road, or sidewalk only)

A. THE MANSION HOUSE -- Popular host, In 1852, James Buchanan gave speech from balcony, to crowd below in the square. Summer 1862, recruiting rallies held in front for Company C, 126th Pennsylvania Infantry. July 3, 1863, Confederate cavalryman was shot and killed by a Union straggler hiding nearby. Southwest corner of the square.

B. James Buchanan Hotel -- Built in 1796 by James Buchanan, Sr.: boyhood home of future president. Later converted in hotel. State historical marker in front. 17 N. Main St. (Rt. 16), just north of the Square.

C. HARRIET LANE HOME -- Harriet, daughter of Elliott and Jane (Buchanan) Lane, served as hostess of the White House during bachelor uncle's administration. 14 N. Main St., between Valley Bank and the Fendrick Library.

D. "BRIDGESIDE", STEIGER FAMILY HOUSE -- During first Chambersburg Raid, Gen. Stuart used side porch as temporary headquarters and ate lunch with his staff. The Steiger children had German measles, so they declined going inside the house. Stone House, 120 N. Main Street.

E. First United Methodist Church -- July 5, 1863, used as hospital for captured Confederates. One soldier was baptized and received into the church before he died. 101 E. Seminary Street.

F. REFORMED CHURCH -- Currently United Church of Christ. July 5, 1863, served as temporary hospital for Confederate soldiers captured with Lee's wagon train of wounded. Grave of Dr. Henry Harbaugh is located in front of church. 129 E. Seminary Street.

G. REFORM SEMINARY -- Reformed Church seminary, prominent in the religious thought of the period, with its "Mercersburg Theology." July 5, 1863, converted to hospital for wounded Confederates. Only two original buildings stand today, known as North and South Cottage, Mercersburg Academy.

H. BUCHANAN LOG CABIN -- Birthplace of James Buchanan. Cabin was taken from Stoney Batter in 1825 to the cabin's re-location to a corner on Mercersburg's South Fayette Street, where it stood for 91 years until it was removed to Chambersburg in 1925, than in 1953 was moved to present site, Mercersburg Academy campus.
The cabin was moved by Buchanan's relatives because he was becoming national prominent.  The family became worried that vandles would wreck the Cove Gap homestead, which at that time (i.e., circa 1825) was not occupied.
You should also know that there is no hard evidence that the cabin was the location of Buchanan because at the time of his birth,
there were several cabins located together at Cove Gap, all of which were owned by the Buchanan family.  However, it is fair to say that the cabin was owned by the family and was in existence at the time of his birth.

I. Fairview Cemetery -- Military headstones mark graves of three soldiers. Two, captured at Cunningham's Crossroads, died in one of the hospitals in town. Third, J.W.Alban, killed in front of Mansion House, July 3, 1863. Western edge of Fairview Cemetery, near perimeter road.

J. BLACK CEMETERY -- See Zion Union Cemetery

K. "STONEY BATTER" -- Large pyramid monument marks birthplace of James Buchanan (Apr. 23, 1792-June 1, 1868). Just west, Union militia and Confederate cavalry exchanged fire, June 24, 1863. Today, state park/picnic area. Historical plaque at entrance. Rt. 16, approximately 3 miles west of Mercersburg, at Cove Gap.

L. KASIE'S KNOB -- 1864-1865, signal station here, part of system linked with Greencastle (east) and other stations south, to monitor Confederate movements along the Potomac. West of Rt. 75 and Kasieville.

M. WINGER HOUSE* -- Joseph Winger, postmaster, used home for store and post office. October 10, 1862, Gen. Stuart's cavalry stopped and took Winger prisoner. He, along with other prominent area men were taken to Libby Prison and released two months later. Winger was the first civilian taken prisoner by the Rebels in Pennsylvania. Large brick farmhouse, northeast corner of Rts. 75 and 995 intersection, Claylick.

N. CHAMBERSBURG RAID -- State historical marker notes this as the route Gen. Stuart took into the states. McCausland also took this route in 1864. Pennsylvania Rt. 75 near Maryland line.

O. Zion Union Cemetery -- Burial site of Mercersburg's African American Community.  Many Civil War Veterans, including members of The 54 Massachusetts, made famous in the movie "Glory," are buried here. This particular burial ground contains the graves of numerous veterans from the United States Colored Troops (USCT). South on Linden Ave., turn right on Fairview Ave., then left on Bennet Ave. and continue to end.

P. Fendrick Library -- Built 1788. Original Parker House

Q. Dr. William MaGaw House -- Built 1840.  Residence & General store.

R. McKinstry House -- Built 1810.  Residence & General store.

S. Mercersburg Academy -- Established 1893.  Original site of Marshall College.

T. Mercersburg Academy Chapel -- Built in memory of Mercersburg Academy  graduates who died in WWI and also to the mothers of the Academy students.  Mrs. Calvin Coolidge placed the cornerstone.

U. Presbyterian Church --  Built 1794. Scottish & Irish heritage.

V. Dr. Unger's House -- Once a two room school house.

FORT LOUDON

MOUNT PARNELL -- Overlooks Fort Loudon, sometimes used as training station for Union Signal Corps. Local farmers hid horses here from the Confederates during the Gettysburg Campaign. Mountain served as backdrop for turn of the century Civil War novel, The Light of Parnell. North East of Rt. 75 and Rt. 30 intersection.

STENGER HILL CEMETERY - Grave of unknown Confederate killed by local citizens in retaliation for Chambersburg burning. Located in old section, beside north gate. Located between Rt. 30 and Old 30, Fort Loudon.

PATH VALLEY

PATH VALLEY -- Gettysburg Campaign, local Union veterans dug earthworks in some mountain passes anticipating Confederate attack, which never came. Maj. Harry Gilmor's Maryland Cavalry passed through nearby Hose Valley on their way to Shippensburg. Rt. 75 runs the breadth of Path Valley and provides a very scenic drive particularly in autumn.

UPPER PATH VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH --Monument lists 52 area men who "Died for Their Country." Erected in 1866, one of the earliest Civil War monuments in the state and in the country. Off Rt. 75 in Sprint Run.