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.
Category Archives: Civil War Echoes
New Pinterest page for “Civil War in York County, Pa.”
I have recently decided to start a series of boards on the popular social media site, Pinterest, to showcase some of my diverse interests such as Civil War miniature wargaming, Civil War toy soldiers and collectibles, postcards, and the like. … Continue reading
Civil War Voices: Part 11 – Some soldiers forced to serve on both sides of Mason-Dixon
Ovid Pinney “Jerry” Reno served in both the Union and Confederate armies. Born in western Pennsylvania’s Beaver County, he had drifted west in the 1850s to live with an older brother in Kansas. He was a 26-year-old boatman on the … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 11 – Eager volunteer runs away to join 87th Pennsylvania
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ In September 1861, recruiters enlisted enough men primarily from York and Adams counties to form a three-year regiment, the 87th Pennsylvania. Seventeen-year-old Henry Schultz was among those eager volunteers. He was … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 10 – History’s children march through York
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ Northern hopes for a quick end to the war disappeared on July 21, 1861, when Confederate forces stunned the Union army at Bull Run and sent the Yankees flying back to … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 9 – Threat of Rebel raids casts fear over border counties
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ In late June, the first hostile shots in the region were fired in southern York County. Little is known of the incident other than some sketchy newspaper accounts. “Intelligence has also … Continue reading
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The young men of York County echoed most of these reasons for enlisting. David Givens, a 20-year-old Wrightsville resident, was one of those men. He had worked as a boatman on one of his uncle’s barges on the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal, linking Y
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ Volunteers in the North stood in line to sign up for the military. Some were ardent Union men, determined to see the country held together. Others sought adventure or glory, or … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 8 – Patriotism, glory compel York residents to enlist
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ Volunteers in the North stood in line to sign up for the military. Some were ardent Union men, determined to see the country held together. Others sought adventure or glory, or … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 7 – Woman engages in anti-slavery movement with poetry
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was a widely known Civil War-era poet, writer and lecturer, and a strong voice for abolition and women’s suffrage. But before she reached heights, the African-American woman … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 6 – Newspapermen stop presses, enlist in Army
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ Some businesses, their ranks thinned as employees marched off to war, curtailed or suspended operations. The Star, a newspaper in Wrightsville, was one of those to close its doors. Its competitor … Continue reading
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Civil War Voices: Part 5 – Soldiers stationed at Camp Scott find friend in ‘York’
- Excerpted from ‘Civil War Voices from York County’ In early May, a stray dog wandered into the 13th Pennsylvania’s encampment at Camp Scott, the old fairgrounds in southeast York. The canine became the regiment’s mascot and accompanied it for … Continue reading
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