York Town Square

Mount Wolf’s Ciara Coombes danced to kick off the York County Heritage Trust’s Civil War Celebrity Tea, part of Patriot Days activities in 2006. Patriot Days 2009, last weekend, kicked off this year’s Civil War observances. Numerous such events today-Sunday are part of observances of the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Background posts: Site places readers in the footsteps of the Civil War in York County and beyond and Poster highlights the life of a Civil War soldier and Hanover Civil War story stop: ‘Mother Loses Two Sons to War’.

The calendar this year – the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg – coincides exactly with the calendar in 1863.
That means that July 1 this year is a Wednesday, and that is the day fighting began. On Saturday, July 4, 1863 – Independence Day – a defeated Confederate army retreated toward the Potomac.
So, a particularly packed lineup of events in both York and Adams counties is scheduled this weekend.
Here’s the list, courtesy of the York Daily Record/Sunday News:

North York’s Brianna Forsyth, 19, spins wool into yarn and string during Patriot days in 2008.
TUESDAY, June 30
Presentation on the Battle of Gettysburg by the Rev. Doug Smith, pastor of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hanover. 1 p.m. Tuesday at John D. Bare Center of the Guthrie Memorial Library — Hanover’s Public Library, Carlisle Street in Hanover.
Dedication of five new wayside markers in Hanover depicting how local residents dealt with the Civil War as it came through the state. 5 p.m. Tuesday in the southwest quadrant of Hanover’s Center Square, in front of M&T Bank.
Outdoor musical program featuring Civil-War era musical selections, and a brief talk by historian Larry Wallace. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Neas House, Chestnut and High streets in Hanover.
WEDNESDAY, July 1
“Real-Time” programs, led by Gettysburg National Military Park rangers, follow the Battle of Gettysburg in chronological order and close to the real time events took place. Programs range in length from 30 minutes to an hour. Minimal walking; short drives by vehicle between program locations.
Anniversary battlefield walks: The Attack and Defense of Oak Ridge; In the Footsteps of the 157th New York.
THURSDAY, July 2
“Real-Time” programs, led by Gettysburg National Military Park rangers, follow the Battle of Gettysburg in chronological order and close to the real time events took place. Programs range in length from 30 minutes to an hour. Minimal walking; short drives by vehicle between program locations.
Hunterstown Heritage Day, 11 a.m. at the Historic Tate Farm in Hunterstown. Includes “The Battle of Hunterstown,” the 5th annual walking tour, and an unveiling of a historic marker.
Anniversary battlefield walks: The Attack of Maj. Gen. John B. Hood’s Division on July 2, 1863; Early’s Attack on East Cemetery Hill; the Struggle for Culp’s Hill.
Children’s battlefield walk: In the Footsteps of the 15th Alabama: A Family Program. This walk is geared toward children ages 8 to 14 with a parent or guardian. The walk begins 2:30 p.m. at the Alabama Monument on West Confederate Avenue.
“Battlecry,” a new musical about the Battle of Gettysburg. 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Riegel Auditorium, 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg.
FRIDAY, July 3
Question-and-answer session with Ken Burns, the award-winning documentary maker who directed the PBS series “The Civil War.” Noon Friday at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. For other lectures, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org/visit/sacred_trust_gettysburg_perspectives.htm.
146th annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Re-enactment. Yingling Farm on Pumping Station Road. “Hill of Destiny” will detail the fierce struggle between the North and South for control of Culp’s Hill on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. 6 p.m. Friday.
“Real-Time” programs, led by Gettysburg National Military Park rangers, follow the Battle of Gettysburg in chronological order and close to the real time events took place. Programs range in length from 30 minutes to an hour. Minimal walking; short drives by vehicle between program locations.
Anniversary battlefield walks: The Pre-Dawn Engagement at McAllister Ridge; the Attack and Repulse of Pickett’s Charge; Cemetery Ridge: A Visual History.
“Battlecry,” a new musical about the Battle of Gettysburg. 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Riegel Auditorium, 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg.
SATURDAY, July 4
146th annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Re-enactment. Yingling Farm on Pumping Station Road. Battles recreating both a famous cavalry clash involving Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and Brig. Gen. George Custer at the Rummel Farm and Low Dutch Road, as well as the battle for control of Little Round Top. 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, on Saturday.
Anniversary battlefield walk: To Save a Life — The Evacuation and Treatment of the Wounded.
“Confederates take the Shriver House” — 10th annual re-enactment of fighting on the streets during which Confederate sharpshooters huddled in an attic to attack Union soldiers from above. Every 15 minutes from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Shriver House Museum, 309 Baltimore St., Gettysburg.
Living History Programs: Confederate Military Forces, Pitzer Woods. The Mifflin Guard, Pennsylvania Memorial.
2nd Mississippi Encampment. Rupp House Side Yard, 451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg.
“Battlecry,” a new musical about the Battle of Gettysburg. 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Riegel Auditorium, 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg.
SUNDAY, July 5
146th annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Re-enactment. Yingling Farm on Pumping Station Road. The first depicts the ill-fated charge of newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Elon Farnsworth and his men on July 3, 1883, against three lines of Confederate troops in Gen. Hood’s division. The second re-creates the most famous Southern advance on Union lines, Pickett’s Charge. 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Civil War moonlight bike ride at Hanover Junction, York County Heritage Rail Trail. 8:30 p.m. $5 per person; Free for those 12 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Living History Programs: Confederate Military Forces, Pitzer Woods. The Mifflin Guard, Pennsylvania Memorial.
2nd Mississippi Encampment. Rupp House Side Yard, 451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg.