(Please face westward, with the statue of Reynolds on your right.)
The Battle of Gettysburg began on this ridge at 8 a. m., July 1, 1863.
The Confederate Army, approaching along the Chambersburg Pike, formed
line of battle on the ridge one-half mile westward where you see the
brick house (Herr Tavern). They first attacked the Union cavalry on this
ridge, then infantry on the ridge 200 yards to your rear. In the
afternoon, the Confederates renewed their drive from the west along the
Pike and also struck the Union right flank (Oak Hill, No. 2 on Tour
Map). The Union forces finally gave way, retreating first to the
Seminary buildings and then to Cemetery Hill south of Gettysburg.
General Reynolds, commanding a Union corps, was killed in the woods a
quarter of a mile southeast of this point. Buford, whose statue is just
in front of you, commanded the Union cavalry on this ridge. The marked
gun at the base of the Buford statue fired the first cannon shot at
Gettysburg. Oak Ridge lies one-half mile back of you, and the same
wooded ridge extending south of the Chambersburg Pike is Seminary Ridge.
General Lee, the Confederate commander, used the valley beyond the South
Mountains (to the west) as an avenue of approach into Pennsylvania.