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York County’s Widow Zinn to Confederate Gen. Jubal Early in new Louisiana Tigers’ book: ‘Are you goin’ to destroy us?’

York County, Pa., Civil War author Scott Mingus has added another book to his growing list of titles: “The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign, June-July 1863.” This 315-page book covers this famous Confederate brigade during the during the Gettysburg Campaign, including its two-day stay in the York area. For locations to purchase the book, contact Mingus at scottmingus@yahoo.com. Civil War book: ‘When flames brilliantly illuminated the sky over the Susquehanna River’ and Books probing York County in the Civil War come in strong, sudden onslaught and The Four YorkBloggers write.

In his recently published “Louisiana Tigers,” Scott Mingus tells the wonderful story of Gen. Jubal Early meeting the widow Zinn in western York County’s Big Mount.
“Are you goin’ to destroy us, are you going to take all that we’ve got?” she asked Early.
Early replied: “No madam, and to give you the best protection possible, I will stay with you, with my staff, and no one shall trouble you.”
Early then visited one of his brigade commanders, John B. Gordon, at nearby Farmers.
When he returned at about 9 p.m., Mrs. Zinn had saved a supper of 15 varieties of food – meats, vegetables, coffee and milk… .


Mingus wrote:
“While he was eating, Widow Zinn, no longer fearful, was instead very talkative, wanting to discuss the merits of Stonewall Jackson, among other topics. She gave Early a good clean bed, and the well-fed general enjoyed an excellent night’s sleep.”
Mingus and other recent writers in the present renaissance of interest in York County Civil War history accomplish more than telling this little-told story.
In covering the troops and their movements, they tell about everyday York County life of that period. And they tell about the lives of everyday people – women and people of color who have been so long overlooked.
So, get involved in the renaissance and be prepared to learn about the story behind the story.
Other books touching on York County and the Civil War or the Civil War period:
Scott L. Mingus’ “Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863” a study, with driving tour, of the Confederation occupation of York County. Available via scottmingus@yahoo.com; http://scottmingus.webonsites.com; or York Emporium, 343 W. Market St., York, 846-2866. Other works: “Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign, Volume I & II” and “Gettysburg Glimpses: True Stories from the Battlefield; and “The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign.”
– George Sheldon’s “Fire on the River, The Defense of the World’s Longest Covered Bridge and How It Changed the Battle of Gettysburg.”
Dennis W. Brandt’s “From Home Guards to Heroes, The 87th Pennsylvania and Its Civil War Community.”
John T. Krepps’ “A Strong and Sudden Onslaught, The Cavalry Action at Hanover, Pennsylvania.”
– George A. Rummel’s “Calvary on the Roads to Gettysburg, Kirkpatrick at Hanover and Hunterstown.”
– Eric J. Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi’s “Plenty of Blame to Go Around, Jeb Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg.”
Scott Butcher’s “Civil War Walking Tour.”
Lila Fourhman-Shaull’s “A Walking Tour of Civil War-Era residents at Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pa.”
Mark Snell’s “From First to Last, The Life of Major General William B. Franklin.”
John V. Jezierski’s “Enterprising Images, The Goodridge Brothers, African-American Photographers, 1847-1922.”
June Lloyd’s “Faith and Family, Pennsylvania German Heritage in York County Area Fraktur.”
– My “East of Gettysburg, A Gray Shadow Crosses York County, Pa.” and “Almost Forgotten, A Glimpse of Black History in York County, Pa.” also join this group.