PA Historic Places

Exploring the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker

The collage features five photos capturing different aspects of the historic site where the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg was fired. The central image is of the Wisler House, a red brick two-story building with white trim, sitting atop a stone foundation with a porch facing the Chambersburg Pike. In the top right, an image shows a vintage photograph of a stone monument, with a caption detailing its dedication by veterans of the 8th Illinois Cavalry in 1886. Below, a sign points to the "First Shot Wisler House," and next to it is an interpretive panel with an illustration of Union soldiers firing the first shot, accompanied by descriptive text. The bottom right photo focuses on the engraved limestone marker standing on a grassy patch, bearing the names of Captain Jones and Sergeant Shafer of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, honoring the location of that first crucial shot.

If you’re looking for information about the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, you’re in the right place!

The image shows a National Park Service sign indicating the "First Shot Wisler House" with an arrow pointing to the right, directing visitors to the historical site where Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry is said to have fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg. The sign is prominently placed in a grassy area beside a road, with a large tree to the left and a red brick building in the background on the right. The sky is blue with some clouds, and the sun shines brightly, casting shadows on the grass. The setting appears peaceful and rural, with power lines visible in the background, contrasting with the historical significance of the location. — The Wisler House and First Shot Marker are located along Route 30, west of Gettysburg.

Of the estimated 7 million bullets fired during the three-day Civil War battle that took place in and around Gettysburg, the very first shot is said to have been fired from a spot in front of blacksmith Ephraim Wisler’s house along the Chambersburg Pike (now Route 30) at 7:30 am on July 1st, 1863.

The photo presents a view of the Wisler House situated near the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker on Route 30. The red brick house with white trim and a wraparound porch is set against a backdrop of mature trees and overcast skies. To the left of the house, partially obscured by shrubbery, stands a modest stone marker, a silent testament to the historic event that took place at this location when Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg. The road in front of the house is quiet, and the house appears as a well-maintained relic of the past in a serene setting. — Front of the Wisler House, with the First Shot monument to the left.

Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, using a borrowed carbine, fired at a Confederate officer on a gray horse approximately 700 yards to the west.

This is an image of an informational sign titled "The First Shot" at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker. The sign provides historical context about the actions of the 8th Illinois Cavalry at the Ephraim Wisler House, where they established an advance picket post to alert Union General John Buford's cavalry division of any enemy movements towards Gettysburg. It recounts that at 7:30 am on July 1, 1863, advancing Confederates were sighted crossing Marsh Creek half a mile to the front, leading Union Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones to rest a carbine on a fence post and fire what is believed to be the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg. The text notes that over the following two days, an estimated 7 million bullets were fired, causing more than 51,000 casualties and forever changing the nation. — Informational signage at the Wisler House.

Jones didn’t hit his target (he probably didn’t expect to at that distance), but he did give advance warning of the approaching Confederates to the main body of Union General John Buford’s cavalry division, stationed a mile to the east, closer to Gettysburg.

The monument to Union Brigadier General John Buford along U.S. 30 just west of Gettysburg.

Interestingly, at the foot of the monument to General Buford you will find a cannon barrel that is said to have fired the first artillery shot of the Battle of Gettysburg, also along the Chambersburg Pike (modern-day Route 30).

The opening cannon of the Battle of Gettysburg was a 3-inch ordnance rifle manufactured in 1862 at the Phoenix Iron Company in Phoenixville, PA.

Commemorating the Spot

23 years after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lieutenant (later Captain) Jones and his comrades commemorated their claim to having fired the first rifle shot of the battle by erecting a limestone monument they paid for themselves on a small plot of ground from they purchased from the homeowner.

The photo shows the First Shot Marker at the Battle of Gettysburg, standing prominently on a grassy area with a background of lush greenery. Engraved on the limestone monument are the words "FIRST SHOT GETTYSBURG JULY 1, 7:30 A.M. 1863. FIRED BY CAPT. JONES WITH SERGT. SHAFER CARBINE CO. E 8 ILLS. CAVALRY," commemorating the moment Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry fired the first shot of the battle. The stone stands as a solemn reminder of the historical event, etched with the names of those involved, preserving their legacy on the hallowed grounds along Chambersburg Pike. — The First Shot Marker in 2023.

It should be noted that several other cavalry regiments, including the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 9th New York Cavalry, also claim to have fired the first rifle shot of the battle.

This photo shows the back of a stone marker at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker along the current Route 30. The marker is inscribed with the word "ERECTED" followed by the date "1886", indicating the year it was established. The stone is standing upright on a concrete base, with a grassy foreground and a paved road running horizontally in the background. Residential houses and trees can be seen in the surrounding area, indicating that the marker is located in a suburban setting. The sky is partly cloudy, suggesting the photo was taken on a day with variable weather. — Members of the 8th Illinois Cavalry erected the monument themselves in 1886.

We may never know with 100% certainty who actually fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg, but Lieutenant Jones’ marker is nonetheless a point of pilgrimage for historians, Civil War enthusiasts, and descendants of those who fought in the battle.

The photo shows a historic image of a small limestone marker with inscriptions, which was dedicated by veterans of the 8th Illinois Cavalry in 1886 to denote the location of the first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg. The marker is situated on the far side of the house, near the Chambersburg Pike. It appears to be an older photograph, evidenced by the monochrome color and aged look, depicting the marker standing alone in a field with bare trees in the background, signifying its historical significance and the reverence given by those who remembered the events that took place there. — The First Shot Marker when it was newly-installed.

Visiting the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker

The Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker is located at 1498 Chambersburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Ephraim Wisler House, now owned by the Gettysburg National Military Park/National Park Service, has been recently restored to its Civil War-era appearance.

The photo displays the Wisler House near the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, a two-story brick building with white trim and shutters. The house features a covered front porch supported by white columns, which spans the width of the building. It rests on a foundation of stone masonry, with grassy terrain gently sloping up to the structure. A large conifer tree stands to the right of the house, and the sky behind is overcast, giving the image a somber, historical feel that befits its Civil War significance. The house appears well-preserved, serving as a silent witness to the events of July 1, 1863, when Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones fired the first shot of the battle. — The Wisler House has been restored to its Civil-War-era appearance.

There is a gravel parking lot located behind the house.

The photo shows a gravel parking area adjacent to the site of the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker. Tall trees with green foliage border the left side of the image, while a red pickup truck is parked on the side of the road, indicating the modern-day use of the area. In the distance, a white house with a covered porch can be seen, possibly the Wisler House, contributing to the serene and historical environment. The setting is peaceful with a clear sky above and hints of residential life, blending the past and present at this significant location along Route 30. — Parking lot behind the Wisler House.

Interpretive signage next to the parking lot gives you a brief overview of the historical significance of the house and monument.

The photo captures an interpretive sign at the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker, set against a natural backdrop with a large tree and a clear sky. The sign details the event of "The First Shot" fired by Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry at the onset of the battle on July 1, 1863. It includes images of the cavalry in action, the Wisler House, and the commemorative marker erected by the veterans of the 8th Illinois Cavalry in 1886. The display is outdoors on a sunny day, providing educational content to visitors about the historical significance of this location along the Chambersburg Pike, surrounded by a peaceful grassy field. — Interpretive signage at the Wisler House.

The monument is located in the front lawn, near the Route 30/Knoxlyn Road intersection, and the clear view to the west down the Chambersburg Pike certainly has changed since 1863.

The photo shows a tranquil roadside view near the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker along Route 30. A street sign reads "Knoxlyn Rd," pointing down a road that intersects with the main route. A modest stone marker stands in the foreground amidst green grass and autumnal foliage, marking the significant location where Lieutenant Marcellus E. Jones is said to have fired the first shot of the battle. The overcast sky suggests a quiet, reflective day at this historic site. — THe monument sits near the Route 30/Knoxlyn Road intersection.

Even so, standing there you can imagine the tension, anticipation, and gravity of the moment, before the battle erupted into full-scale warfare.

The photo captures the side view of the historic Wisler House, located near the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker along Route 30. The two-story red brick house, with its chimney rising against a partly cloudy sky, is adjacent to the road. A stone path leads up to the covered side porch, and the bright sunlight casts the shadow of a tree onto the building's facade, creating a stark contrast with the red bricks. The scene is quiet and still, reflecting the calm present-day setting of a place that once witnessed the opening act of a pivotal Civil War battle. — Looking west in the direction the Confederate army would have been approaching from in 1863.

Final Thoughts

The First Shot Marker symbolizes the beginning of the Union and Confederate armies’ engagement at Gettysburg, which would ultimately shape the course of American history.

The photo features a close-up of a limestone marker beside a road, engraved with the names of individuals associated with the First Shot at the Battle of Gettysburg. The inscriptions read "BY CAPT. JONES LIEUT. RIDDLER & SERGT. SHAFER," acknowledging the men who played a role in erecting this monument. The marker stands on a grassy area with the road visible in the background, accompanied by power lines and a glimpse of residential homes, placing the historical site in a contemporary setting. The marker acts as a tribute to these figures from the 8th Illinois Cavalry and their contribution to commemorating a significant moment in American history. — The five-foot tall limestone monument was crafted in Naperville, Illinois.

Visitors to the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker today can reflect on the momentous impact of that single shot, contemplating the weight of history that unfolded from that point onward.

The photo depicts a historic black and white image of the Wisler House, a two-story brick structure with a covered front porch, which stands near the Battle of Gettysburg First Shot Marker. Built in 1857, this house was once the residence of 31-year-old blacksmith Ephraim Wisler and his family. A large tree provides shade in the front yard, and a picket fence borders the property. The caption narrates that Wisler was nearly injured on July 1, when an artillery shell exploded at his feet, and he passed away one month later, with the implication being that his death was a result of the shock from the battle. This photo offers a poignant glimpse into the past, connecting the physical space with the human stories intertwined with the Battle of Gettysburg. — Ephraim Wisler died a month after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Nearby Attractions

17 Must-See Attractions in Adams County is your guide to more of the best things to see and do in and around Gettysburg.

A collage of 5 photos from Adams County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Adams County.

The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg explores the significant events, individuals, and narratives that defined the American Civil War.

The collage features four images from The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The first image is the museum's entrance sign, the second shows a life-size diorama of an artillery soldier in action, the third is an exhibit of Union military uniforms and weaponry, and the fourth contains a quote from General William Tecumseh Sherman next to medals and ribbons. Together, these images offer a glimpse into the museum's efforts to chronicle and honor the history of the American Civil War. — Scenes from the National Civil War Museum.

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