Dover: August 2007 Archives

Confederates from the Army of Northern Virginia passed through York County in waves in the early summer of 1863. The first incursion, rather minor, involved patrols from Albert Jenkins' western Virginia brigade. Jenkins, an antebellum U.S. Congressman, sent detachments of partisan or "wild cat" cavalry into extreme northwestern York County. Crusty old veteran Jubal Early led his powerful division of four infantry brigades, several artillery batteries, and a couple regiments / battalions of cavalry directly towards York on June 27. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry division roamed western York County on June 30 and July 1, fighting a battle at Hanover and minor skirmishes at Jefferson and Dover. One of his cavalrymen left this description of York County and its residents: