Don't recall which elements of Lee's army were involved, but several skirmishes occurred withing a few miles of where I live, prior to the Battle of Gettysburg. Closest one was the "battle" of Sporting Hill, considered to be the northern most point of Lee's PA advance. Up until a few years ago, there was a large limestone barn at the intersection of Sporting Hill Rd. and Rt. 11, that had evidence of cannon fire on the stone work. They tore the barn down before any preservation groups could save it..
Most historians agree they were likely probing for a possible invasion of the PA Capital, Harrisburg. Carlisle is a fifteen minute drive for me. Mechanicsburg is even closer. Both towns were briefly occupied by Lee's boys prior to the clash at Gettysburg. The old court house in Carlisle, has chunks of stone missing from the entry columns, due to CSA cannon balls being fired there, to convince the locals to surrender the town..
Lee invaded PA. Both armies bumped into each other near Gettysburg. Lee was sent packing back down the Shenandoah.
Hey 7mm,
You notice any similarity to a certain Northern General who did they same. If those cannonballs killed any civilians, would the man in charge be guilty of war crimes? You think those who fired them gave it much more than a moments thought?
What a hoot!!!!
If Sherman had been at Gettysburg, Lee may not have gotten out of Pa alive, let alone make it to Virginia still breathing.
