Gettysburg ‘Human Interest Stories’ scores sequel
Scott Mingus takes another look at interesting, often behind-the scenes stories of the buildup and aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. The books are available at Gettysburg bookstores, the York Emporium and Amazon.com. Background post: E-mail queries about Confederate invasion .
As Confederate Gen. Jeb Stuart was riding away from Hanover after a day-long battle, he detained a “fat dutchman.” The Hanoverian seemed to be counted the rebel horsemen.
We’ll let Scott Mingus tell the rest of the story, taken from his new book, “Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign, Volume 2:”
“The general thought the man was too well informed to be left behind with the enemy and requested that he “come along” on a nearby Conestoga draft horse. Captain John Esten Cook watched as the Pennsylvanian ignored the request. A cavalryman “made a tremendous blow,” and the corpulent civilian mounted the massive horse “in hot haste, with only a halter to guide the elephant.” Confederates roared with laughter when “the Conestoga ran off, descended the slop at full speed, bounded elephant-like over an enormous ditch — and it was only by clinging close with hands and knees that the Dutchman kept his seat. Altogether, the spectacle was one to tickle the ribs of death.” Cooke added, “The last I saw of the captive, he was in the very centre of the cavalry column, which was moving at a trot, and he was swept on with it; passing away for ever from the eyes of this historian, who knows not what became of him thereafter.”
Mingus, a fellow blogger at www.yorkblog.com/cannonball will be telling stories from his new book at 7 p.m., Dec. 7, at the York Emporium on West Market Street in York.
Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Historical York & Architectural Warehouse to help preserve and protect some of York County’s historic properties.
Harper Collins has published Jim Lewin’s and P.J. Huff’s “Lines of Contention: Political Cartoons of the Civil War.” Jim and Pam Lewin own the York Emporium. Background post: Rebels, Yanks to again journey along York’s West Market Street.
