Cemetery Hill

Cemetery Hill is a critical landform and key battlefield feature located within the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania. It served as the pivotal defensive anchor for the Union Army during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. The hill's strategic importance, derived from its commanding elevation adjacent to the town of Gettysburg, made it the focal point of fierce combat, particularly on the battle's second and third days. Today, it is preserved as part of Gettysburg National Military Park and is densely populated with monuments commemorating the units that fought there.

History

Prior to the American Civil War, the hill was primarily known for the Evergreen Cemetery, a civilian burial ground chartered in 1854. The adjacent Gettysburg National Cemetery was later established in 1863 to inter Union soldiers who perished in the battle, with its dedication featuring the famous Gettysburg Address delivered by President Abraham Lincoln. The area's pre-war history is tied to the early settlement of Adams County, Pennsylvania and its development as a regional hub. Following the battle, the hill became a central component of early preservation efforts led by veterans' groups like the Grand Army of the Republic, which eventually led to federal administration by the National Park Service.

Battle of Gettysburg

On July 1, 1863, following retreats from engagements north and west of town, Union forces under Major General Oliver O. Howard rallied on this high ground. It became the cornerstone of the army's defensive "fishhook" line, which also included Culp's Hill and Little Round Top. On the evening of July 2, Confederate troops from Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell's Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia launched a major assault against the hill's eastern and northern slopes. This attack, which included brigades from the divisions of Major General Jubal Early and Major General Robert E. Rodes, was repulsed by Union defenders, including the famed Iron Brigade and artillery batteries. The hill's defense was crucial in preventing a collapse of the Union position and set the stage for the following day's Pickett's Charge.

Geography and topography

The hill is a terminal spur of Cemetery Ridge, forming the northern apex of the Union army's defensive line during the battle. It rises approximately 80 feet above the town center to the north and overlooks the open fields of Cemetery Hill to the east and south. Its slopes are generally gentle on the west but steeper on the east facing the Baltimore Pike, a key Union supply route. The summit is capped by the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse and offers clear sightlines to critical areas like Culp's Hill, Seminary Ridge, and the Wheatfield. This topography provided a superb platform for the artillery of the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Brigadier General Henry J. Hunt.

Monuments and memorials

The landscape is densely marked with over 70 monuments, markers, and artillery pieces dedicated primarily to Union regiments and batteries. Notable memorials include the equestrian statue of Major General Oliver O. Howard, the 11th Corps headquarters marker, and the Wiedrich's Battery monument. The hill is also the site of the Soldiers' National Monument within the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Confederate participation is commemorated by several position markers, such as those for Hays' Brigade and Avery's Brigade. Many of these monuments were dedicated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during reunions of veterans from states like New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

In popular culture

The site has been featured in numerous historical works and media depictions of the battle. It is prominently described in classic texts like The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The hill and the defense of the Union line are dramatized in films such as Gettysburg, based on Shaara's novel, and documentaries produced by the History Channel. It also serves as a key location in several video games, including the History Civil War: Secret Missions series, and is frequently referenced in the programming of the Gettysburg National Military Park museum.

Category:Gettysburg Battlefield Category:Hills of Pennsylvania Category:American Civil War battlefields