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150 years ago today in York County, Pa.: June 27, 1863: “The Confederates are here…”

Trone marker

“The Confederates are here and I guess I will pull up.”

With those brief words tapped out via telegraph from the railway station in Hanover, Pennsylvania, young telegrapher Daniel Trone relayed the message that after days of anxiety and rumors, the Rebels really had arrived in York County. More than 250 cavalrymen from Virginia and Maryland rode into Hanover on Saturday, June 27, 1863. Their commander, Lt. Col. Elijah V. White, led elements of the 35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry into the railroad yard and then down through the main street while other detachments sealed off the roads. Telegraphs lines were cut, and Hanover was now isolated from the world and under Confederate control.

Later that day, Confederate flags waved in the streets of Jefferson, Hanover Junction, Seven Valleys, and Spring Forge as White raided southwestern York County.

In the afternoon, another column  of Confederate cavalry entered northwestern York County, and Dillsburg became the next town to see enemy troops in their midst. By evening, a 6,000-man powerful division of infantry marched into western York County through several roads, pausing for the night at Big Mount and at Farmers.

Seven York County towns… all now had first-hand experience of seeing Rebel soldiers ride or tramp through their neighborhoods.

And, it would only get worse in the days ahead…

In downtown York that fateful Saturday morning, civic officials and leading businessmen met in the counting room of P. A. & S. Small’s hardware store on the northeast corner of Center Square.  They could see and hear the throngs of terrified refugees who were passing eastward on Market Street, heading for the Columbia Bridge. The authorities were debating what to do when word came that Hanover had fallen. Young businessman A. B. Farquhar rode west to find the Rebels and negotiate for the safety of the women and children. He would locate them near Abbottstown and parlay with Brig. Gen. John B. Gordon.

Returning in the late afternoon to York, he and a handful of other leading citizens hopped back into his carriage and rode west a second time to meet with Gordon, this time finding the Georgia general at Farmers. In the tidy farmhouse of the Altland family, the terms of the occupation/peaceful surrender of York were finalized.

Well after dark, Farquhar and the committee returned to the square and informed the anxious citizens of the results.

Tomorrow would see the Rebel flag waving in downtown York.

Upcoming 150th anniversary events!

Dover acw events

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TFTlogoOpening to Members on June 28 and to the Public on June 29, 2013,

The Trust’s newest exhibit: The Fiery Trial: York County’s Civil War Experience will highlight York County’s and the South Central Pennsylvania Region’s national role in perhaps the United States’ greatest conflict, from its beginnings in the 1820s to its enduring legacy.
Opening Weekend June 29 & 30 
Saturday June 29 Open to the Public 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION
Sunday June 30 SPECIAL HOURS *** Historical Society Museum Open 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
50% off Regular Admission
Thursday July 4 SPECIAL HOURS*** Historical Society Museum Open 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
50% off Regular Admission 
  • DISCOVER – The community’s connection to national people and events:
“Father, I never want to get into another battle it is terrible, persons falling all around me if I ever trusted in God, I did that time.” – James A. Carman letter about the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 17, 1862
  • EXPLORE – An array of period artifacts, objects, and unique papers, documents, and printed items:

“Yes, our unhappy condition we must ascribe to our own follies and wickedness, which has kindled the wrath of God, and caused Him to send this bloody strife upon us as a just punishment.”The Present Conflict of our Country by Rachel Bahn of Hellam, September 1861

  •  EXPERIENCE – The fears, sacrifice, and loss as well as the joy, pride, and beliefs of a community and its’ citizens who witnessed the war first hand. FEEL the uncertainty of a community invaded by a enemy army Before, the Battle of Gettysburg:

“Sunday morning Mother, Mary and I, dressed for church; all the rest expected to stay at home. Just as the bells rang, the cry was    heard,    ‘They are coming!’ Oh, Lissy, what did we feel like? Humiliated! Disgraced! Men who don’t often weep, wept then.”     – Cassandra Morris Small letter to her cousin about the Confederate occupation in York, June 30, 1863

 

 PUBLIC OPENING JUNE 29, 2013-FREE ADMISSION

10:00 a.m. Exhibit Opening  
10:00 a.m.  – 12:00 p.m.   Civil War era Children’s Games and Crafts  (Downstairs Lobby)
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Costumed Interpreters throughout the The Fiery Trial Exhibit Galleries 
11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Mike Plunkett Presents

Paddy Has Gone for a Soldier

Songs and Stories of the Soldiers of the Irish Brigade (Mezzanine)

Through stories and songs Mike Plunkett brings to life the experience of the Irish immigrants who became American patriots. His music is lively and engaging with songs ranging from old Irish ballads to Civil War era songs of both the North and the South. Mike sings and plays guitar, mandolin, and octave mandolin.

12:00 & 2:00 Civil War Jeopardy (Meeting Hall)
Jim Lewin of the York Emporium will lead a fun, entertaining, and interactive 30 minute session about well-known and the not so well-known facts, and stories of the Civil War. No “Civil War” knowledge required.  Top 3 winning “teams” will receive gift certificates to the York Emporium and the Trust’s gift shop.

 

2:00-4:00 –  Bonham House “Open House” 

Walk through the elegant Bonham House and discover what the culture and wealth of high society looked like in the years following the Civil War.  Costumed interpreters will offer highlights on the Victorian home.

Civil War and

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Campaign I : Battle II
June / 2013

Boy Soldier
10 South Market St.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Tel  (717) 766-1899
Fax (717) 766-5002

Monday – Friday
10:30 am – 6 pm

Saturday
10 am – 3:30 pm

Sunday
Closed
(Except Special Events)

In This E-mail
Civil War Days Info Links
Guided Tours
Invasion Reenactment
Speakers
WHP 580 Segment
Wayside Marker Dedication
Quick Links
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Friends of CWAM
Store Front  01
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Invasioin Poster  
CIVIL  WAR  DAYS
June 28th, 29th & 30th, 2013
Recognition of the 150th anniversary of the occupation of Mechanicsburg and Eastern Cumberland County during the Civil War.

Click These Links For More Information:

Guided Tour
Civil War Trails – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
One hour guided coach tours through the Mechanicsburg Area.  Tickets are required and are available at the Mechanicsburg Museum, (717) 697-6088
$8 per ticket.
 
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Invasion Reenactment Event
Saturday
9:45 AM to 10:30 AM
11:00 AM to 11:45 AM 
Reenactment events featuring
Union and Confederate Soldiers
Main Street surrender of town/Secure the flag
 
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Rupp House Speakers
5115 East Trindle Road
 
SATURDAY
3:00 – 3:45 PM – GEORGE NAGLE
“Escaping Slavery: From the Underground Railroad to the Cumberland Valley Railroad”
 
4:00 – 4:45 PM – JIM SCHMICK
President of the Camp Curtin Historical Society
“Local Civil War Artifacts”
 
6:00 – 6:45 PM – COOPER WINGERT
“Invasion of Cumberland County 1863”
 
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CAoHBG Wingert - Emergency Men Wingert:  HBG & CW CW HBG
Cooper Wingert & Jim Schmick
will be at the store signing books on
Saturday from 1 PM to 2:30 PM

WHP 580 Segment
 

Wayside Marker Dedication
A new Civil War Trails marker will be dedicated on Sunday, June 30th at 3:00 PM.  The dedication is sponsored by The Camp Curtin Historical Society and The Gateway Historical Society.  The unveiling will take place at 8th & Indiana Streets, in Lemoyne, PA at the Fort Couch Monument.
Call the store for details.  (717) 766-1899