Local ACW events: March 2009 Archives

Jim and Pam Lewin of the York Emporium are organizing and promoting this year's York Book and Paper Fair at the York Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 4, 2009. There will be used and collectible book dealers (including Civil War topics), comic books and paper memorabilia, related collectibles, guest appearances, book signings, etc. at what promised to be an eclectic and very interesting event. I will be signing copies of Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863 from 11:00 AM until noon.

Have a look at their website for more information!

Press Release:

DOVER -- Glatfelter scientist and local historian Scott L. Mingus Sr. will give a presentation at the March meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society, 7:00 p.m. Thursday. March 19, 2009, at Calvary Lutheran Church on the square in Dover (near the intersection of Carlisle Road (Route 74) and Canal Road).

Mingus will discuss the trails of Civil War generals Early, Stuart, Hampton and others as they led their troops through Dover Township and Dover, and east to York or northwesterly toward Dillsburg.

He will speak on Dover-area families whose lives were directly touched by the troops while they camped on local farm properties and helped themselves to horses and crops. Some family names he will touch on are Meisenhelter, Bowersox, Kinsey, Laucks, Daron and Weigle.

The public is invited to the free program. Refreshments will be served following the presentation. For details, call president Madelyn Shermeyer at 292-2018 or e-mail mmshermeyer@ddogcom.net.

The society will meet again at 7 p.m. April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16 (picnic), Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19, all at Calvary Lutheran Church.

Scott Mingus (center) hosts a miniature wargame based upon a hypothetical Union attack on a section of what is now West York. Photos by John Mayer of Round Top Miniatures, a Gettysburg-based producer of scale model Civil War buildings.

I hosted a 15mm miniature wargame yesterday at the annual Cold Wars gaming convention at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The scenario was based upon a hypothetical situation - what might have happened had Jubal Early's division not been recalled westward and what if the Union V Corps had continued its march on July 1, 1863, into York County from Hanover (historically, the V Corps turned at Hanover and headed for Gettysburg).

The rules that I used are entitled Johnny Reb III. The ground scale is 1" to 50 yards; the figures are 15mm (halfway between N scale and HO scale in model railroading terms); and each soldier figure represents 30 actual combatants. A single game turn represents 20 minutes of simulated action. Early's goal was to hold the rolling heights along the Gettysburg turnpike (now Route 462) at the intersection with East Berlin Road. The Union goal was to chase off or destroy Early's force before it could be reinforced by Robert Rodes' division coming down the Carlisle Road a Lee has ordered his army to concentrate at York. However, the Yankees have engaged Early before Rodes could arrive.

This 15mm American Civil War miniature wargame was among the highlights of Friday's gaming sessions at the annual Cold Wars wargaming convention at the Lancaster (PA) Host Resort and Conference Center. Cold Wars is one of the largest gaming conventions in the country, and is attended by more than 2,000 gamers. It's one of the major contributors to Lancaster County's economy before the start of tourist season.

The convention continues on Saturday and Sunday. I am running a 15mm wargame of Jubal Early's hypothetical defense of the capture town of York (assuming he was not recalled to Heidlersburg and that the Union V Corps marched to York from Hanover instead of turning to Gettysburg). That game is Saturday morning.

There is no charge to the public to view the wargames and learn more about the hobby of miniature wargaming.