Background posts:
In the Footsteps of J.E.B. Stuart: Rebels Ride from Hanover, Part 1
In the Footsteps of J.E.B. Stuart: Rebels Ride from Hanover, Part 2
As the advance elements of Maj. Gen. James E. B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry rode away from the Battle of Hanover in southwestern York County, Pennsylvania, they used a variety of roads to head toward Jefferson, a crossroads hamlet where Stuart would pause, set up artillery, and regroup. Thanks to research by Hanover author and Licensed Battlefield Guide John T. Krepps, we have a strong indication of the roads Stuart used and the various farms along the way that his men raided for horses and/or supplies. These findings originally appeared in the Holiday 2003 issue of Blue & Gray magazine.
In the last post, Stuart's column, likely Fitzhugh Lee's brigade, turned off the Baltimore Pike onto Fuhrman Mill Road, which in 1863 was a winding, hilly dirt road that served as a transportation artery for a variety of farms in the area. Many of the Keystone farmers would find Rebels riding around their barnyards and stables, hunting for horses.
Barnhart farm on Fuhrman Mill Road
Among the early victims of Stuart's men was West Manheim Township farmer Simon Barnhart. Rebels took from him a buggy, two mules, a harness, and 40 bushels of corn to feed their horses and mules. He later filed a border claim for $325.
Old Pennsylvania Dutch farmhouse along Fuhrman Mill Road, a route taken by elements of J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry away from Hanover.
Just up the road a quarter-mile from Barnhart's farm what that of William W. Allbright. A dismounted Rebel entered his field and emerged riding his gray mare, while leading off two bay mares and a chestnut horse. He pegged his loss at $600 in 1863 dollars.
Photo courtesy of John Krepps.
Down the road bear the intersection of Fuhrman Mill Road and Black Rock Road was the farmhouse of John Wildasin and his family. Toward evening, Confederates rode by, and one entered one of his fields and led a $200 bay horse away. WIldasin never saw the animal again.
Much of the Rebel column turned onto Dubs Church Road, passing by this old farmhouse that sits at the intersection of Dubs Church Road and Black Rock Road.
In all West Manheim Township farmers suffered heavily that Tuesday afternoon and eveing as Stuart's men fanned out on back roads and farm lanes. Twenty-two men later filed separate damage claims, and there is no good estimate as to how many others were victims of the Rebels but for some reason failed to file state damage claims. Hit the hardest in the township was Ephraim Nace, whose claim for $813.75 included a 3-4-yr-old roan stallion, 4-yr-old iron gray horse, 11-yr-old dark bay, an 11-12-yr-old gray mare, four halters, a saddle, and a whip. In addition, Nace was forced to accompany Stuart as a guide. His farm was off today's Impounding Dam Road near Tollgate Road. He wasn't the only West Manheim farm to be forced to accompany Stuart's column. Nearby Jacob Leppo was forced into similar duty.
If you have a photo of the William W Albright house as "The old Pa dutch farmhouse" - that photo is wrong. I live in the farmhouse of William Albright and it sits on the corner of Frogtown & Furhman Mill...
I have lived here for 25 years and have heard the stories of how the Civil War Troops went by the farm & how they hid their cows in the dirt basment of the smoke house to keep the troops from getting them...
There is a lot of history on Frogtown Road and I wonder why there are no markers for a "Civil War Trail"?
Thanks for the comment!!! I believe I wrote that Albright's house was at that intersection.
Great story about the cows in the dirt basement of the old smokehouse! The locals often went to extreme measures to save their livestock and horses, so your anecdote is typical of several that I have heard along the Rebels' line of march.
The PA Trail markers are generally only on major routes to connect towns and locations that have Civil War markers. Virtually every road in western York County and many in other parts of the area could be marked if the state had the money and inclination to do so.
Do you have any additional information on Jacob Leppo as mentioned in Part 3? He is an ancestor of mine.
Hi Lisa.
I don't much else on Mr. Leppo. My interest was strictly in his Civil War damage claim testimony and other tidbits about him during the Confederate occupation of York County.
A genealogist might be able to track down more information. Tax records in Hanover might be useful to you, as well as census data that often have net worth of the farm plus the names of children and other people living in the Leppo household. The Hanover newspaper of the period is available at the Pennsylvania Room of the library; scanning through the microfilm might reveal an article or two about Jacob.
Found this on-line: Following a sickness of several months from the infirmities of old age, Albert J. Leppo, aged 73 years, died Monday moring at the home of his son, Jacob Leppo, Union township, near Bart's church. Mr. Leppo was born in West Manheim township. His wife died about 6 years ago. For 25 years Mr. Leppo followed the undertaking business, having retired from that business 20 years ago. He is survived by several children. 15 Apr 1920 New Oxford Item. Could this Albert J. Leppo be the Hanover Jacob's son, and the Jacob mentioned in the article therefore be his grandson?
I believe Jacob Leppo was born in 1807 in Maryland and was married to an Elizabeth. Census data shows him still living in West Manheim Township in 1880 at the age of 73.