Dover: December 2008 Archives

Three brigades of veteran Confederate cavalry under Major General J.E.B. Stuart passed through scenic York County, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 1863, en route from the Battle of Hanover to Dover, PA where they camped for the evening near Fox Run.

Background post: Rebels visit Dover - Part 1 of a series.

Dover had managed to miss the big one so far, as Jubal Early's 5,000 infantrymen bypassed the town on June 28 and instead headed farther south to Weigelstown before cutting across York County to the Harrisburg Road near Emigsville and turning south to York. Now, on the afternoon of June 30, Stuart's three brigades, burdened by a slow moving captured Union supply train of 125 forage-laden wagons, began pulling out of the Hanover vicinity.

Their destination was York, where Stuart hoped to link up with Early, but circumstances would lead them to Dover.

The historic Salem Church near Dover, Pennsylvania, as seen in the summer of 2008. On the night of June 30 - July 1,1863, this prominent landmark was passed by thousands of Confederate cavalrymen, although most made the passage long after dark.

A reader has asked me to spend a little time exploring the Civil War history of Dover, Pennsylvania. Two of my adult children live near that community, as well as my grandsons, so the Dover area is of particular interest to me.

Dover has a rich history during the Gettysburg Campaign, and I wrote a well-received article a couple of years ago on "J.E.B. Stuart Visits Dover, Pennsylvania" which appeared in Gettysburg Magazine. Over the next few weeks, occasionally i will present some stories and anecdotes from this article, and from other sources.