Draw the Sword

The Edward McPherson farm is located on the Chambersburg Road (present day US 30 — the Lincoln Highway) about one half mile west of Gettysburg. This is the area where the battle began on the morning of July 1, 1863. A significant feature of the farm’s land is that there are two ridges that run at a right angle with the Chambersburg Pike. These offered Union cavalry and infantry a good position to defend against the Confederate attacks which took place here on the afternoon of July 1. One arm of this ridge is called West McPherson Ridge; the other arm is called East McPherson Ridge. The photograph above shows West McPherson Ridge as viewed from East McPherson Ridge. The road is the Chambersburg Pike.

This study focuses on West McPherson Ridge. The McPherson barn itself still stands and is located somewhat between the two Ridges.

The McPherson Barn

Monuments on West McPherson Ridge

Comments on this Post

One Response to “Photo Study: West McPherson Ridge”

1. Patty says:

   November 30, 2008 at 9:24 pm

   Beautiful photos of the barn. I took hundred of photos while in Gettysburg, but the more I view your webpage the more I realize what I missed. Thanks for sharing them with us. It gives me all the more incentive to return