Yankees: May 2009 Archives

Author Stephen V. Ash will discuss his latest book, Firebrand of Liberty: The Story of Two Black Regiments that Changed the Course of the Civil War, at the Friday, June 12, meeting of the Harrisburg Civil War Round Table. Ash's talk, entitled "Making War on Slavery: The Unknown Story of the Florida Expedition of 1863," focuses on the First and Second South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, the very first black regiments mustered into the Union army. Composed largely of the freed slaves,these regiments captured Jacksonville, Florida, in 1863 and helped convince Abraham Lincoln to expand the enlistment of African-Americans.

Ash is a professor of history at the University of Tennessee. Although a California native, he lived for many years in Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee. His other books include When the Yankees Came: Conflict and Chaos in the Occupied South, 1861-1865 (1995); and A Year in the South: 1865: The True Story of Four Ordinary People Who Lived Through the Most Tumultuous Twelve Months in American History (2004).

The Harrisburg Civil War Round Table meets at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Camp Hill, PA, Camp Hill Bypass @ Routes 11&15. An informal reception starts at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30. The cost of dinner is $20.00 and reservations must be made by no later than Tuesday, June 9, by calling 717-737-9064. The program begins at 8:00 PM and is free to the public.

Contact Douglas Gibboney, Publicity Chairperson, for further information at 717-243-1738.

Woven basket filled with old canister balls that were discovered on a York County, Pennsylvania, farm.

York County has a rich and varied Civil War heritage. The county provided thousands of soldiers to the Union war effort, and a handful to the Confederate cause, including a brigadier general with ties to the town of York. Food, war materiel, suppliers, railroad cars, tents, blankets, and a myriad of other government purchases were transported to the troops. Trains passed through York County filled with soldiers from all over the North on their way to the front lines. Wounded soldiers (Union and Confederate) were treated at the U.S. Army Hospital or at the Oddfellows Hall in York. Three separate Rebel forces of varying sizes invaded York County during the Gettysburg Campaign. President Lincoln passed through the county at least a couple of times.

Yes, the county should rightfully be proud of its Civil War past. Sometimes, relics and artifacts of that era can still be discovered. When he was young, Dr. Mark Snell of Shepherd University and a York native found a rusty bayonet near where San Carlos' Lounge is now located near Route 30 and the Codorus Creek. Another native York Countian found a brass button from a VMI graduate while digging in her yard, possibly lost by a passing Rebel officer. Dozens of other residents in this area also have found artifacts associated with the Civil War, including Confederate money given to their ancestors by the Rebel troops. Several Hanover residents have relics from the cavalry battle fought there, and fellow blogger June Lloyd mentioned a sword that had been plowed up on a farm in that area.

All photos courtesy of York County Civil War buff and webmaster Randy Drais.

A local reenactment group, including members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), provides the honor guard for the dedication ceremonies held this past Saturday May 9 at Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania. The crowd had gathered to participate in or watch the formal dedication of four vintage Civil War artillery tubes, which have found a new home at the Hanover Junction rail stop, a popular stopping place on the York Heritage Rail Trail bicycle path.