Civil War people: November 2007 Archives

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Library of Congress

Over the course of June 27 - June 30, 1863, perhaps more than any three-day period in York County's history, dozens of men who would later gain fame in the political arena would visit this area, all in the uniforms of American armies. I covered a few future governors in my previous blog post, and will look at a couple more in this installment, as well as some other late 19th Century notable lawmakers.

Governor Fitzhugh Lee of Virginia, a veteran of the Battle of Hanover
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Tens of thousands of soldiers, both those wearing blue and those wearing gray and butternut, tramped or rode through York County during the Gettysburg Campaign. Some were prominent in civilian life, although the majority were "common folks" who would disappear from the stage of history once their military service was over. Jubal Early's Confederate division, J.E.B Stuart's and Judson Kilpatrick's opposing cavalry, scores of Union infantry regiments in southwestern York County en route to Gettysburg, state militia, crews and officers from the U.S. Military Railroad, medical personnel - all spent at least some time in this area.

For some of these soldiers, the march through York County would lead them to death or injury at Gettysburg or on future battlefields. For others, it would be another step in life's journey that would lead them to post-war obscurity or fame and public awareness. A few of the men who traversed York County would go on to political fame, including holding their respective states' highest office.

A Yankee and a Rebel meet

The Civil War has, at times, been termed the War Between the States. In some cases, perhaps it should be called the War Between the Brothers, as perhaps thousands of brothers fought on opposite sides of the conflict. York County was not immune to this tragedy. There are several known examples of local brothers split by the wearing of blue or gray, including the tragic story of the Hoffman boys.

J. K. Duncan, CSA

The American Civil War was truly a war of brother against brother, family against family, and neighbor against neighbor. Such was also the case here in York County, where a number of local men served in the Southern forces, particularly in Maryland units. One brevet major general in the Confederate army hailed from this area. Johnson Kelly Duncan was born and raised in rural Chanceford Township, which borders the Susquehanna River in the southeastern part of the county.