…June 1863.
"In mid-June 1863, more than 6,600 Confederate soldiers approached York County from the west. Their commander, Major General Jubal A. Early, was a West Point graduate, a veteran of the Mexican War, and one of the Confederacy's more aggressive generals. He had a vitriolic, mean streak, and rumors abounded that the Virginian planned to apply the torch to a Pennsylvania town in retaliation for perceived Northern atrocities committed in the Old Dominion. Other tales circulated that the unpredictable Rebels were thieving giants, that they ate children, and had horns (they were "teufelen," or devils).
Hoping to protect their families, livestock, horses, and possessions, many residents of south-central Pennsylvania headed for safety. Most went across the Susquehanna River at the various bridges and ferries.
Some headed south to Maryland or east to Lancaster. Others headed for Harrisburg.
"The Rebels are coming! The Rebels are coming!" was the cry of the day…"
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Amicalement
Armand
adds artillery to his soft-plastic Union forces.
