On the evening of July 4th, 1863, one of the
most confusing battles of the Civil War occurred during the retreat
from Gettysburg known as the battle of Monterey Pass. General Robert
E. Lee had given the order to retreat from Gettysburg. Around 9:00
p.m. near Fountaindale, Pa. the Union cavalry under the command of
General Kilpatrick came in contact with the Confederate 1st Maryland
cavalry under Captain George Emack, who had a small detail guarding
the approach to Monterey, re-enforced by one cannon of Captain
Tanner's Battery.
Darkness set in during a blinding rainstorm. The
Confederates wearing gum blankets, were mistaken as
Union troops by Kilpatrick’s cavalry as they made their way from
Fountaindale. Knowing that their identity was withheld, the order came
from Tanner to fire the cannon. As the confusion subsided, the
Confederates charged, pushing the Federals back until they reached the
Federal artillery that was at Fountaindale.
General Kilpatrick gained the
mountain summit of Monterey six hours later. During the battle,
General Kilpatrick sent a small force to Fairfield Gap, where they
were beaten back by Confederate Cavalry. At the Monterey House, a
Union battery deployed and began shelling the enemy’s wagons. By 3:30
a.m. the Union Cavalry reached the road where Ewell’s wagon train was
located, capturing and destroying 9 miles worth of wagons, taking
1,360 prisoners and a large number of horses and mules as they moved
on to Rouzerville.
