Civil War sites in Carlisle, PA are primarily related to the invasion of Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg Campaign shown in the map below from a Civil War Trails marker. The vanguard of Lee’s army entering Pennsylvania was the Second Corps under Richard Ewell. Ewell’s Corps was divided into three divisions commanded by Major Generals Jubal Early, Robert Rodes and Edward Johnson. On June 25th Ewell ordered Rodes and Johnson to head toward Carlisle with Brigadier General Albert Jenkins in the lead.

Three markers around the town summarize the events in Carlisle from June 27th to July 1st of 1863.

Many of the sites below are on the Carlisle self-guided tour. The Ashland and Lincoln cemeteries are in town but are not listed in the tour brochure. Summary text excerpted from the brochure states- “In an attempt to deal a major, perhaps fatal blow to the Union cause, General Robert E. Lee ordered his Army of Northern Virginia northward through the Shenandoah Valley and into Pennsylvania. The spearhead of that army reached Carlisle on Saturday, June 27, 1863. Its commanding officer, Lieutenant General Richard Ewell, had been posted at the U.S. Army cavalry school in Carlisle after graduating from West Point in 1841 and knew many local citizens. His force included a vanguard of about 1,200 cavalrymen under Brigadier General Albert Jenkins, followed by over 8,000 infantrymen in the division of Major General Robert Rodes. West of town, General Edward Johnson had 6,000 troops camped at Alexander Springs near Route 11 in Carlisle. The Confederate Troops occupied and controlled the town for three days. They confiscated needed supplies and damaged the Cumberland Valley Railroad but otherwise left the town relatively unharmed. Mechanisburg was captured on June 28. From June
28-30, they fought skirmishes at Oyster’s Point in Camp Hill and
Sporting Hill in Hampden Township, coming within three miles
of Harrisburg. On Wednesday, July 1, Union militia commanded by Major General William “Baldy” Smith reoccupied Carlisle. Shortly after their arrival, however, another Confederate force, hardened cavalry under the command of Major General J.E.B. Stuart and Brigadier General Fitzhugh Lee, approached the town from the southeast. They demanded the
surrender of Carlisle under threat of artillery bombardment. General
Smith refused, replying, “Shell away and be damned!” Stuart obliged, and downtown Carlisle came under several attacks. There were some casualties among the Union militiamen and minor damage to property. Stuart also ordered the burning of the U.S. Army Barracks, and most of the buildings there were destroyed. He also set fire to the gas works and a lumber yard. He intended a cavalry attack the next morning, but overnight he received orders from General Robert E. Lee recalling his force to the main Confederate army in Gettysburg. Carlisle was spared any further damage.”

The Ashland Cemetery

The Lincoln Cemetery- 40.2059494, -77.1909214

Old West- 230 West Louther Street on the Dickinson College campus (tour stop #1)

The marker below is in front of Old West

There was nothing to take a picture of at Stop #2.

St. John’s Episcopal Church (tour stop #3)- 1a North Hanover Street

The Soldiers Memorial (Stop #4)

The Courthouse (Stop #5)

Carlisle Market House (tour stop #6)

Building below is on the former site.

There was nothing to photograph at Stop #7.

There are two stones outside of town that mark the farthest point north attained by an organized Confederate army. The first is about 7 miles north of town and the second is five miles further north.