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: Union camp sites
Images of old Camp Scott: a Civil War training facility in York, PA.
During the first couple of years of the American Civil War, Camp Scott in York PA was one of the leading training facilities in southern Pennsylvania for the Union army. Thousands of soldiers from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other … Continue reading
Camp Freedom near Shrewsbury was a Union army campsite & pre-war Methodist camp meeting site
In the early and mid-19th century, this grove of trees (now a modern housing development) was Lowe’s Camp Ground, a very popular gathering place along the Susquehanna Trail just south of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, on the highway between Baltimore, Md., and … Continue reading
“The post was not a comfortable one:” The 12th PA Infantry visits York’s Camp Scott
Pennsylvania and Ohio troops at Camp Scott in York, Pa. – May 25, 1861 (Harper’s Weekly) Background post: “A Perfect Storm of Flowers“ Shortly after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln called for a massive volunteer army to … Continue reading
Posted in Union camp sites, Yankees, York
Tagged 12th Pennsylvania, Camp Scott, Northern Central Railway, York
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Exploration of old earthworks defending Hanover Junction during the Gettysburg Campaign: Part 1
I have frequently in the past about Lt. Col. Elijah V. White and his “Comanches” of the 35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry and their raid on Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania. Recently a representative from the county parks system (a geologist), a docent … Continue reading
1879 lithograph shows York 16 years after the Rebel invasion
This detail from a colorful lithograph published by A Hoen & Co. of Baltimore in 1879 depicts many of the same buildings in downtown York which would have been familiar to the residents during the Civil War, as well as … Continue reading
Posted in Confederate camp sites, Gettysburg Campaign, Railroads, Union camp sites, York
Tagged Northern Central Railway, York
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Power’s Hill tree-clearing at Gettysburg
Power’s Hill is being cleared by the National Park Service to more closely resemble its appearance during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The hill, located along the Baltimore Pike, was a Union artillery platform on July 2-3 and helped bombard … Continue reading
Jacob Huber farm was Rebel artillery position during the Skirmish of Wrightsville
The Skirmish of Wrightsville was one of the largest military engagements in the history of York County, Pennsylvania, at least in terms of the number of soldiers engaged. On Sunday evening, June 28, 1863, more than 2,000 veteran Confederate soldiers … Continue reading
Hunterstown PA hosts annual Civil War event and battlefield tour
Authors Steve Stanley (left) and J. David Petruzzi were among the special guests at the annual “Battle of Hunterstown Walking Tour” and associated events held at the historic Tate Farm near the Hunterstown, PA battlefield. Fought on July 2, 1863, … Continue reading
Civil War rifle pits protected the Northern Central Railway
In mid-June 1863, the 20th Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia came to York County, Pa. to protect vital railroad bridges on the Northern Central Railway. Hastily organized in Philadelphia by Colonel William B. Thomas, the Port Collector, most of the 950+ men … Continue reading
A Letter from Camp Scott (York, Pa.) – May 4, 1861
Pennsylvania and Ohio troops at Camp Scott in York, Pa. – May 25, 1861 (Harper’s Weekly) Background post: “A Perfect Storm of Flowers“ In mid-April 1861, significant numbers of newly raised Union volunteer troops organized and trained at Camp Scott … Continue reading
Posted in Union camp sites, Yankees, York
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