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: February 2009
Letters from York woman chronicles the Confederate occupation
Photo courtesy of the York County Heritage Trust. Cassandra Morris Small was a 34-year-old single woman living with her parents, wealthy industrialist Philip A. Small and his wife, in a house on E. Market Street across from the Yorktowne Hotel. … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, York
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York native orders civilians to blockade vital South Mountain passes
G. O. Haller, courtesy of USAMHI. My friend J. David Petruzzi of Ironclad Publishing passed along a newspaper article from the Gettysburg Star & Sentinel of July 29, 1883. Written by an Adams County, Pennsylvania, man named Daniel D. Gitt, … Continue reading
Posted in Dillsburg, Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
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Another mill visited by Rebels during the Gettysburg Campaign
The old Weigle grist mill is shown in this February 2009 photograph by SLM. During the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, Confederates raided the region numerous times, taking horses from the miller and nearby farmers. In the early 21st century, this old … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Confederates, Dover, Gettysburg Campaign, Mills
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Col. Jacob G. Frick led the defense of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge
Image of J. G. Frick adapted from my new book, Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition: June 1863. Used by permission of the Schuylkill County Historical Society. Colonel Jacob G. Frick was one of the most prominent citizens of Pottsville, … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg Campaign, Wrightsville, Yankees
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Gettysburg Glimpses now for sale! Hard copy and e-book versions
Announcing the publication of my latest Civil War book – Gettysburg Glimpses: True Stories from the Battlefield. This new volume contains more than 200 fresh anecdotes, incidents, and human interest stories from the Gettysburg Campaign, including several that relate to … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Civilians, Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees, York
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Three miles only to meet the Rebels
This nicely restored Manchester Township house on Greenbrier Road was owned during the Civil War by York merchant and businessman Israel Laucks. On July 1, 1863, he hitched his 7-year-old bay to his spring wagon in downtown York. Laucks did … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Confederates, Gettysburg battlefield
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Nationally known artists tackle York County subjects
Dale Gallon is among my favorite Civil War artists. One of the most prolific of the modern generation of ACW artists, Gallon maintains an impressive gallery and retail store in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Steinwehr Avenue. Limited edition art prints of … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg Campaign, Hanover, Wrightsville
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A railroad story I had not heard before
I stumbled onto this story recently. I did not include it in Flames Beyond Gettysburg, because the book was already too far along in the editorial process to make changes. George Small of York, a retired engineer on the pension … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Railroads, Wrightsville
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All in the family – Rebels raid the Meisenhelters
The Meisenhelter / Meisenhelder family was one of the more prominent families in Dover and Conewago townships during the 19th century. The private family cemetery is dotted with the names of men and women who played a key role in … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Confederates, Dover, Gettysburg Campaign
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Where did J.E.B. Stuart hold his June 30 council of war?
Perhaps history was changed in this old farmhouse in rural North Codorus Township in scenic southern York County, Pennsylvania. Then again, perhaps not. On the evening of June 30, 1863, Confederate Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart was leading his … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Confederates, Gettysburg Campaign, Hanover Junction, Mills
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