About this blog
Scott L. Mingus, Sr. is a scientist and executive in the paper and printing industry, as well as the author of several books and magazine articles on the Civil War, including some that deal primarily with York County during the Gettysburg Campaign.
This Cannonball blog presents stories and anecdotes from the war years, as well as announcing local Civil War events of the modern day.
Send all questions, news items, and suggestions to scottmingus@yahoo.com.
Monthly Archives: December 2007
Hanover girl has Civil War blog
A 16-year-old high school student from Hanover, Sarah Adler, has been maintaining a blog on Gettysburg entitled Ten Roads (for the nexus of roads that radiate out from Gettysburg like spokes on a wagon wheel). She volunteers on Saturdays at … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War events, Hanover, Miscellaneous
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Public Humiliation in the 87th PA
Coward. Yellow. Uncourageous. Turn-tail. Deserter. Harsh words indeed; certainly words that the majority of us would never want associated with our character. Going AWOL or deserting from the military for generations has been frowned upon by the authorities, not to … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Yankees
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Another minority in Early’s Division
In a recent entry in this blog, I discussed Charles Lutz, one of the few black soldiers enlisted in the ranks of the Louisiana Tigers. The ranks of that brigade were filled with European immigrants (Scandinavia, France, Germany, and particularly … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, York
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“A Lovely Place”
The six-story John Hartman building on the center square was highly noticeable to the Confederates. Courtesy of YCHT. Original letters and diary entries from the Confederates who occupied York in late June 1863 are quite scarce, especially considering there were … Continue reading
Posted in Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, York
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Help wanted!
I spent the day today browsing through the collection of the U.S. Army Military History Institute library just outside of Carlisle, researching old records and files for my manuscript I am working on regarding the Louisiana Tigers during the Gettysburg … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Gettysburg Campaign, York
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Historic Photos of Gettysburg
John S. Salmon has assembled an excellent collection of some of the most famous photographs of the historic Gettysburg battlefield and town, most taken with a couple of decades after the July 1863 battle. Included are some of the very … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Gettysburg battlefield
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Happy Holidays!
Thomas Nast illustration, Harper’s Weekly. I would like to wish each Cannonball reader a safe and pleasant holiday season! We are spending much of today at my daughter’s house for a family get together, and then enjoying Christmas at our … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous
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“A mean, selfish, sordid people”
Typical York County farmland, Library of Congress The Pennsylvania Germans of the mid-19th Century, as a general rule, were a hard-working, thrifty people that often did not readily embrace outsiders or admit them into their social circles. They were content … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Civilians, Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, York
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Gettysburg VC Closing Early on December 24
Visitor facilities at the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site will close at 1 p.m. on December 24, in observance of the holiday, National Park Service officials have announced. The Visitor Center at 97 Taneytown Road … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg battlefield
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Rebels reach Mechanicsburg
While York Countians were dealing with the occupation of Jubal Early’s veterans during the Gettysburg Campaign, neighbors in Cumberland County had their own set of problems, with two full divisions of infantry, a large battalion of artillery, and the bulk … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg Campaign, Miscellaneous
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