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 people
150 years ago today: June 16, 1863: The bulk of the 87th PA seeks safety
Tourists stroll through the restored Harpers Ferry National Park. Back in June 1863, Harpers (then primarily spelled as Harper’s) Ferry offered a place of temporary refuge for thousands of refugees from Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy’s division of the Union … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
Tagged 87th Pennsylvania, Second Winchester
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150 years ago today: June 15, 1863: Disaster at Carter’s Woods
June 15, 1863, was perhaps the longest day for the 87th Pennsylvania in the entire Civil War, perhaps only rivaled by the brutal losses at Monocacy a little more than a year later. Union Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy had … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
Tagged 87th Pennsylvania, Second Winchester, Union soldiers
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150 years ago today: June 14, 1863: The 87th Pa. fights at Winchester, Va.
The men and officers of the 87th Pennsylvania spent a restless night on June 13-14 in the entrenchments and rifle pits near Winchester, Virginia. They had been reunited with the survivors of the two companies which had been detached at … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
Tagged 87th Pennsylvania, Second Winchester, Union soldiers
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150 years ago today: June 13, 1863: 2 companies of the 87th Pa. fight at Bunker Hill, WV
The impressive 3-story Pritchard home sits atop a high hill near Kernstown, Virginia, just south of Winchester. Fighting swirled around this property in the battle of Kernstown, as well as at Second Winchester. Not far from here, the 87th Pennsylvania … Continue reading
Posted in Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
Tagged 87th Pennsylvania, Second Winchester, Union soldiers
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150 years ago today: June 12, 1863: York County’s 87th Pa. begins the fight at Second Winchester
This old postcard shows the Hillman Tollgate south of Winchester, Virginia, during the 19th century. One hundred fifty years ago, this would have been a familiar site to the soldiers of the 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which frequently patroled the … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War people, Gettysburg Campaign, Yankees
Tagged 87th Pennsylvania, Second Winchester
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Church honors Civil War veterans in Highmount
Recently the Fairmount United Methodist Church in scenic Hellam Township, Pennsylvania, held a commemoration of its 160th anniversary, using the theme of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary. The commemoration included a period church service led by living historian Rene Kinard, … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War events, Wrightsville, Yankees
Tagged Hellam Township, Union graves, Union soldiers
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The last Civil War veteran in Hellam Township, York County, Pa.
I recently attended the 160th anniversary celebration at Fairmount United Methodist Church on Furnace Road in Hellam Township. On display was the above old newspaper photograph of Milton K. Lehman, who is credited as being the last Civil War soldier … Continue reading
Posted in Wrightsville, Yankees
Tagged Hellam Township, Kreutz Creek Cemetery, Union graves, Union soldiers
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York County young lady described Rebel invasion
Confederate reenactors march into position for a sham battle at Neshaminy State Park. I frequently drive past a modest country grocery store at the intersection of Canal Road and Bull Road in north-central York County, near the border of Conewago … Continue reading
Gettysburg’s Historic Church Tours start June 12
Historic Church Walking Tours of Gettysburg celebrates its 10th season of providing local residents and tourists alike with visits to their historic churches. On Wednesday evenings during the summer months, church volunteers provide short programs about their church and how … Continue reading
Posted in Civilians, Gettysburg Campaign, One-tank road trips
Tagged Gettysburg, Gettysburg churches
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One-tank trips: Confederate Memorial Chapel in Richmond VA – Part 2
In my previous post, I briefly discussed the history of the Confederate Memorial Chapel and the surrounding property which once was the grounds of the Confederate Soldiers Home. I was there, along with living historians Ed Lefevre and David Meisky, … Continue reading
Posted in Confederates, One-tank road trips
Tagged Confederate Memorial Chapel, Richmond
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