March 2008 Archives

Over the next week or so, I will present the text of an old article that appeared in a now-defunct newspaper, the Gettysburg Compiler, regarding the Confederate occupation of York. A significant portion of the account is from a York resident who was interviewed just days after the raid by a correspondent. His description is a nice summary of the key events as Jubal Early took possession of York. The last week of June 1863 was a trying time for most Pennsylvanians, many of whom simply wanted to be left alone. Few had expected the Civil War to come to their doorsteps.

We start with an early 20th Century reporter's summation of the newspaper's 1863 status, especially with an enemy army openly operating in the general region and more troops perhaps on the way... Here is the opening paragraph from the June 28, 1911, Gettysburg Compiler.

As I write this, I am sitting in a hotel room in southern Ohio. The birds are singing, and the day offers promise. Generally, I love mornings, as they offer a chance for reflection and meditation, and a chance to jumpstart my batteries for a long full day ahead. The moment is peaceful and relaxing, and the day offers interesting challenges and opportunities.

For many soldiers at Gettysburg, the mornings brought some sanity to the madness. I have been heavily researching the attack on East Cemetery Hill for a manuscript I just finished and submitted to a leading publisher. Most of the soldiers' descriptions of the morning of July 2, 1863, are consistent in describing the sense of peace and serenity that morning, despite the carnage of July 1 and the promise that this day would bring even more suffering and pain. But, for now, the morning broke with a calmness that offered hope.

Mary Fisher was the wife of the judge of York, Robert Fisher. She had witnessed the march of John Gordon’s Georgia brigade through the town on June 28, and had suffered through the subsequent occupation of the town by Jubal Early, who had threatened her husband that he would burn the locked county courthouse to the ground if Judge Fisher did not produce the keys. Mary would be among those York residents who ministered to the wounded following the Battle of Gettysburg.

Statue of a stoic soldier

Background post: Misery: The 5th Wisconsin's Journey through York County

The soldier’s life is at times fraught with danger, although field combat is generally only a small percentage of the actual time allocation. Marching, drilling, camp fatigue duty, and other downtime represent a far greater amount of time than the actual fighting. Soldiers away from home often have considerable time on their hands, hours that often are spent brooding or contemplating their situation. For one Wisconsin Civil War soldier, his thoughts turned (as they often do for today’s soldiers) to his widely scattered loved ones.

Arlington National Cemetery (Robert E. Lee's antebellum home)
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Corbis

I noted in the York Daily Record recently that the death toll in Iraq has reached 4,000 U.S. soldiers. I am not here to make any political comments on the current situation, but, as an amateur historian, I want to point out some sobering statistics from the Civil War, which some called "the late unpleasantness," perhaps the biggest understatement in history.

Nearly 3 million Americans took up arms during the Civil War, and some 620,000 of them died (with disease killing twice as many as bullets). Considering how small the population of the country was between 1861-1865, that tragic number grows in magnitude when you consider that 620,000 is equivalent to more than 6 million men lost today. SIX MILLION in roughly five years!

Corporal Ernest Simpson of Battery E, 1st Rhode Island Artillery lived a short and tragic life. Born in Leipsic, Germany, as a young man he had quarreled repeatedly with his parents, who strongly disapproved of a particular love affair. Despondent, Simpson left home and migrated to London, England, where, alone and brooding, he tried to commit suicide but failed. Simpson bought passage on a boat to the United States and sailed to America to start over. He eventually settled in York, where he lived at the start of the Civil War. On October 7, 1861, a train arrived carrying Battery E, 1st Rhode Island Artillery, and, "attracted by the great reputation of Rhode Island batteries," Simpson decided on the spot to enlist. He fully expected to be put out of his misery on the battlefield.

As I sit in front of my warm fireplace this morning, I cannot help but think of the rich blessings in my life. God has been so good to me through the years, and I have been so undeserving of what He has poured out. Easter weekend has always been a time of celebration for our family, marked by mutual worship, sunrise services, family get-togethers and good food, Easter baskets for the kids, games and family activities, and thankfulness.

A few times over the two-plus decades we lived in exteme northeastern Ohio, Easter was also marked by something else - a blizzard! Even in late April a couple of times, we arose on Easter Sunday to find that more than a foot of snow blanketed the ground (it's easy to hide, but tough to find Easter eggs in the snow drifts!).

For one Pennsylvania infantry regiment, Easter 1863 also brought a blanket of the white crystals...

Post-war view of the Northern Central station and tracks at York Haven. The 5th Wisconsin passed through this village en route to York. For more photos of York railroad structures, see Greg Halpin's website.

The Civil War has been considered by some authors as the "first modern war." Innovations such as submarines, rifled muskets, entrenchments, aerial reconnaissance, rail-mounted artillery, and others were implemented, some for the first time on a broad scale. Among the many changes in warfare was the mass transit of troops. Instead of walking or riding on horses or in wagons, troops could be conveyed from point to point via the fledgling system of railroads, cutting down the time it took to arrive in key locations. This was dramatically emphasized early in the war when the Confederates moved an army from the Shenandoah Valley into position to participate in the First Battle of Manassas.

As the war progressed, hundreds of thousands of troops (mostly Union) were conveyed on the railroads, and a fair percentage of them passed through York County. For some, the ride was pure misery...

One of the trends in tradebook publishing in the past two decades has been the strong growth of historical fiction, particularly those books aimed at women. Combining plots that strongly emphasis character development and personal interrelationships with believable historical situations and settings, these books generally sell very well and appeal to a broad audience. Some, like Cold Mountain, have become best sellers that have cut across across wide genre of readers.

The most recent addition to this segment of the book industry comes from a Gettysburg author, Jessica James. Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia (ISBN 978-0-9796000-0-5, softback, 524 pages) is a worthy addition to the line up. Published by Patriot Press, the novel concerns the growing relationship between a Virginian who is a ardent secessionist and Confederate advocate. The lead female character, by contrast, is a devoted Unionist. The interplay of their divergent beliefs, coupled with the backdrop of the growing war, is well written and sustaining. Crisp, well flowing, and with a storyline that holds your attention, James shows off her talents as a novelist, as well as revealing a solid understanding of the Civil War era.

Recent news headline:
Tampa Sued for Nonpayment of $299.58 Civil War Debt

A Tampa, Florida, woman has sued the city to collect an old debt that dates back to the Civil War. Joan Kennedy Biddle is in possession of an old promissary note from the city that dates from June 1861 when her ancestor Thomas Pugh Kennedy sold implements and ammunition to help defend the town of 850 people from the Union army. Not having cash, the town issued the IOU, which has been kept in a safety deposit box.

Biddle filed suit to claim over $20 MILLION dollars that Tampa owes her in her opinion, figuring the original debt at 8% compound interest! The city government is citing the 14th Amendment, which essentially negated civic debts stemming from rebellion. It should be an interesting court fight. Stay tuned.

That brings up York and an old unpaid bill of its own...

Don't forget Wednesday night's monthly meeting of the York Civil War Round Table! 7 pm at the York Heritage Trust on East Market Street. Dick Simpson. Gettysburg monuments. Be there!

Details

2008 schedule

Photo by Randy Drais. His ancestor may have been treated in this field hospital after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Randy Drais, a lifelong resident of York, has created an interesting new website specifically pertaining to the Battle of Gettysburg. Covering a broad and diverse range of topics, Randy's site has something for everyone, including a page with ideas to help children understand the battle and the Civil War experience.

Randy has pages devoted to out-of-the way locations that often are of interest to even the casual battlefield tramper, as well as pages for side-trips (including York and Hanover), recaps of National Park Service battlewalks, interesting monuments, and much, much more! For those who want to dive deeper into the battle's details, Randy includes an array of weblinks and books organized by topic and battle sequence.

During the Civil War era, by far the largest number of foreign-born soldiers on both sides came from Germany or Ireland, although dozens of countries were represented in the ranks, including a fair number of Scandinavians. Irishmen were prominent in both armies, and there were many tiomes in the war that all-Irish Union regiments battled Gaelic troops in gray.

An estimated 185,000 Irish-born soldiers fought in the Civil War, with the majority on the Federal side (145,000). Georgia and Louisiana had significant Irish units, and one almost all-Irish Confederate regiment camped in York.

Sixteen-year-old Franklin Gilmore was a corporal in Company A of the 155th Pennsylvania, an infantry regiment raised in mid-August 1862 in the Pittsburgh region. He and his fellow recruits trained at Camp Howe, a place the writer deemed a "miserable squallid-looking place." Frank saw his first combat action at Fredericksburg, and was assigned after the battle to assist the wounded in the field hospital. At Gettysburg, a Rebel accosted Gilmore near Devil's Den and demanded his surrender. Gilmore ducked behind a rock, and later was able to seize the Confederate and escort him to the rear.

When Gilmore and his regiment marched into Virginia in pursuit of Lee's retreating army, little did the teenager know what awaited him, including an expected emergency visit to York.

As the Civil War entered its second year (1862), few York residents had ever seen a Confederate soldier. Plenty of Union soldiers had paraded through the town between Camp Scott and the railroad station, and plenty of troop trains heading south the front lines had passed through York. But, by the end of summer 1862, new Rebel soldiers had appeared in York's streets. That would change during the Maryland Campaign.

Company B of the 13th Pennsylvania, a three-months' regiment, was encamped at York's Camp Scott in early May 1861. A stray dog wandered into camp and was soon adopted by the soldiers. The new volunteer became the mascot and accompanied the regiment for some time. In recogition of his origins, the pet dog was named "York."

Rev. Alexander M. Stewart, the regimental chaplain, described York as being a "curious-looking specimen of the canine. One must be more skilled in doggery than the writer to define his species. Spaniel, cur, terrier, and water-dog all seem blended into one."

What York lacked was natural hunting instincts and a keen sense. He was clearly a city dog.

To many Confederates, Pennsylvania was a "land flowing with milk and honey, " a place one amazed Rebel thought flowed with "such oceans of bread as I had ever seen before." Food was plentiful, the farms fertile, orchards overflowing with fruit, and the climate fair. Hundreds of men straggled or deserted during the Gettysburg Campaign, and a few evaded capture and stayed in the area. Some came back to PA after the war and settled down, and several Pennsylvania cemeteries contain the remains of former Confederates who became Keystoners. Descendants of Rebels still live in multiple communities, including a few here in York County.

Other Rebels headed to Canada, and some headed west to start a new life (often under an assumed name).

For many years, the National Park Service has allowed various organizations, as well as private citizens, to "adopt" a monument or position on the Gettysburg battlefield. Volunteers are encouraged to clean-up and maintain the general environ of the area around the monument. Activities include weeding, trimming, clearing underbrush, and general maintenance of the grounds. These volunteer groups often meet once or twice a year for organized work parties that often include meals or refreshments together before or after the work.

A couple members of the York CWRT have adopted positions and are having a clean-up day on April 5. I'm sure they would welcome more help from any Cannonball readers!!

The Gettysburg Civil War Round Table is sponsoring a one-day bus trip retracing the route John Wilkes Booth and David Herold took after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Seats on the bus are filling quickly, so make sure you get your reservation in soon if you want to go. Lunch is included. If I didn't already have a commitment that day, I would definitely go on this fascinating trip. Admissions are also included in the price, as well as tips.

Roll Call to Destiny
The Soldier’s Eye View of Civil War Battles

Roll Call to Destiny puts readers on the frontlines of the Civil War by providing the point of view of small bands of men who braved unique combat situations. Acclaimed military historian Brent Nosworthy answers such questions as what it was like for artillery to beat back an aggressive infantry assault or to take part in a fast-paced cavalry charge, and how Civil War infantry conflict was waged in thick, forest foliage.

The Lancaster Civil War Round Table will welcome Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Wayne Wachsmuth to the Lititz Public Library (651 Kissel Hill Road in Lititz) at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2008, as he presents "Stuart's Ride: Mission Impossible? A Logistical Appraisal".

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended by emailing your name, phone number and number attending to srihn@lititzlibrary.org or call the library at 717-626-2255. Come on out and enjoy an evening with Wayne Wachsmuth!

By June 1865, the 112th Illinois Infantry was a battle-toughened veteran regiment. The starry-eyed recruits who had joined the regiment at its inception were now combat experienced and victorious, as the war was now over and it was time to head home. The regiment had participated in the Carolinas Campaign under William T. Sherman. The soldiers had boarded a train in Greensboro, North Carolina, for the long trip back to Chicago, where the men would receive their final pay and be mustered out of the army.

Instead of the hero's welcome in the WIndy City, one soldier would find himself in a Pennsylvania hospital.

James Ashworth was born in 1836 in the town of Bury in Lancashire, a rural county in northwest England along the Atlantic coast / Irish Sea. He emigrated with his parents to the U.S., and the family settled near Holmesburg, northeast of Philadelphia. He moved to Frankford, graduated from Philadelphia High School, and entered the transoceanic shipping business, working for a firm that operated cargo packets to Liverpool, England.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Ashworth accompanied General Robert Patterson's force down to Maryland as a civilian volunteer. He took up a musket and fought a Rebel raiding party that was attempting to wreck the C+O Canal near Williamsport, but was arrested by the citizens the next day as a rebel spy and put on trial.

This weekend marks the third annual Reenactor Appreciation Weekend in Gettysburg. Hundreds of uniformed reenactors and living historians will be in town for this event, which is highlighted by a period ball, a ladies' tea, and a fashion show. Several merchants are offering discounts to those in period dress. if you are a reenactor, why not take a stroll through town and register for these free events?

I have gone to this event the past couple of years, as we presented a series of miniature wargames to the public. However, due to sparse attendance at these games, we did not plan any games this year.

Background posts: Introduction, Part 2, The Rebels and the U.S. Post Office, Part 3, Part 4.

Here is the next letter, which may have all been written by the same man, likely a member of a Maryland cavalry company who hustled northward with a companion to rejoin his outfit near York. Failing to find it, he camped with the 17th Virginia Cavalry:

June 29, 1863 York, Pa:

After a long and roundabout wild goose chase, we arrived here about eight o'clock last night, and found Jackson's foot cavalry in full possession of the town... The notorious rebels are under the command of General Early. They are in high spirits, well dressed, and all they want is to fight...

Background post: 2008 York CWRT schedule

Mark your calendars!!! The March 19, 2008, meeting of the York Civil War Round Table will be an interesting look at the monumentation at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Dick Simpson will be talking on "Gettysburg: America's Great Art Park." He will take a close look at the outstanding carved and cast battlefield monuments, and will show slides of many popular monuments.

As always, the event (and parking) is free to the public. It will be at 7 P.M. 3/19 at the York County Heritage Trust on East Market Street in downtown York.

This Confederate 2-cent stamp was issued in 1863, the same year as the Gettysburg Campaign.

Background posts: Introduction, Part 2, The Rebels and the U.S. Post Office, Part 3.

The first couple of letters in this series were rather impersonal, sticking to the basic military facts. This one is a little more personal. The writer could never have known his family would never receive the letter, and that, instead, Yankees would be the first people to read the note. It would later be published in a popular periodical for all to read, and 145 years later, in something called the Internet.

Hundreds of men rejoined the CSA army on the road after being released from parole (as prisoners of war) or from medical facilities; the roads north were filled with small parties of men who struggled to find their regiments. Some did not rejoin until after Gettysburg and the army was heading back to the South.

Trivia: Jefferson Davis was the first living president depicted on an American postage stamp.

Background posts: Introduction, Part 2, The Rebels and the U.S. Post Office.

The Confederate Post Office was established in February 1861, and in early March, John H. Reagan, a firebrand Texan, was named as the Confederacy's first (and only) Postmaster General. For the first few months of the war, regular mail between the North and South continued using private express delivery companies, before finally being suspended on June 1. A few outfits continued to smuggle mail for some time thereafter, although formal mail service between the warring states could only be done via a formal flag of truce.

Today one of my sons and I toured the Hershey Museum for the first time (before our twentieth trip through the Disney-like “factory tour”). From a history perspective, the museum contained a few Civil War items from Milton S. Hershey’s private collection, including a Confederate tin canteen from Gettysburg with a bullet hole through it on both sides. Also, Hershey had a hand-carved wooden cane with a bullet from Devil’s Den imbedded in the wood.

The museum contains a lot of Civil War-period Pennsylvania German furniture, dishes, musical instruments, clocks, household goods, and other things that would have been very familiar to the Trostles, Weikerts, Codoris, Spanglers, and other Gettysburg residents during the war years.

Background post: Introduction.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, more than 10,000 individual Confederate soldiers and troopers passed through York County, roughly half infantry and half cavalry as a general breakdown. They were from a variety of states, from South Carolina (the cradle of Secession) to one of the last states to secede, Virginia. Among these soldiers was the division of Jubal Early, which occupied York from June 28 - June 30. Infantrymen from North Carolina and Virginia artillerymen were stationed downtown at the Fair Grounds and/or Penn Commons, with Louisianans lounging in the creekside area west of today's Harley-Davidson factory and on the hills just west of the Codorus. Virginians were in Emigsville, Frystown, and East York, along with a company of Maryland cavaliers. More Virginia artillery crowned the imposing Webb's Hill south of town. Georgians camped at first near Wrightsville, and then along the Carlisle Pike in western York.

Scores of men took the welcome break to write home; many of these letters have been preserved. As mentioned in the introductory post, a packet of letters never made it back to Dixie and was captured near Hanover. Here are excerpts from one of these lost letters, perhaps from a cavalryman who accompanied Gordon's column to the river....