American Civil War Battlefields
McPherson Farm 
Chambersburg Pike 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 

Edward McPherson’s farm was located a half mile west of Gettysburg on the ridge that now bears his name. On the first day of the battle, July 1, 1863, it was the scene of intense fighting as Brigadier General Henry Heth’s division of Confederate soldiers attacked along the Chambersburg Pike. This position was first held by Brigadier General John Buford’s Union cavalry division who were able to hold until Major John Reynolds arrived with troops from his First Corps to relieve Buford’s men. The day ended later in a complete Confederate victory.

                                        Photo and text courtesy of LCWRT Member Charlie Moore

The barn and farmhouse were used during and after the fighting as a field hospital for troops of both sides. After the war McPherson applied to the Federal Government for compensation for his ruined crops, damaged buildings, and supplies taken during the battle. He received nothing. He sold the farm in 1868. The farm house burned in 1895 but in 1904 the property was bought by the Federal Government. An extensive renovation of the barn was completed in 1978. The barn is currently used by a local farmer who leases the McPherson fields.