Gov. Andrew G. Curtin of Pennsylvania was a The Cumberland Valley played a signifi cant role in America’s great supporter of President Lincoln and the war Civil War. This region of Pennsylvania provided sanctuary to Self-guided Tour effort. During the 1863 Confederate invasion runaway slaves and even participants in John Brown’s raid at he worked diligently to coordinate the state’s Harpers Ferry. When the war began, local residents rushed efforts to repel the Rebels. After the Battle of to join the Union army. Gettysburg, he authorized the creation of what Area families made deep became the National Cemetery. sacrifi ces for the war effort culminating with the Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch was assigned to Confederate invasion of command the Department of the Susquehanna Pennsylvania in summer and defend Pennsylvania as the Confederates 1863. Southern troops marched north. Couch did the best he could passed through the valley, with ill-trained New York and Pennsylvania occupied communities, militia, and hastily constructed fortifi cations. skirmished with militia Fortunately, fate intervened and Confederate and sometimes even shelled towns. With the Union triumph in forces were called to Gettysburg and the expected attack on 1865, came relief and a “new birth of freedom” but not a fi nal Harrisburg never materialized. answer about how Americans defi ned equality. Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Knipe commanded a brigade of infantry sent to Chambersburg The Civil War to impede the advance of the Rebels but his inexperienced militia was no match for the Southern veterans. The Union troops retreated back to Carlisle and ultimately Harrisburg. on the Later, Knipe led his troops back to Carlisle and repulsed Stuart’s attack. Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell commanded the 2nd West Shore Corps of the Confederate Army. He occupied Chambersburg and moved two of his divisions to Carlisle and peacefully occupied the town. Ewell was ready to attack Harrisburg but was ordered to Gettysburg before he could move on the capital. Cumberland Valley Visitors Center Maj. Gen. James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart For more self-guided tours go to commanded the cavalry division of the Confederate Army. During a scouting mission, visitcumberlandvalley.com, or visit the he became separated from the main army and had to make his way north independently. Stuart fought a skirmish at Hanover and then moved up to Carlisle, shelling the town and inside History on High - The Shop burning the U.S. Army Cavalry Depot at the 33 W. High St, Carlisle, PA 17013 Carlisle Barracks. (888) 513.5130 Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins commanded the cavalry brigade that led the Confederate Produced by: Army into Pennsylvania. His troopers came Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau within a few miles of Harrisburg and fought skirmishes in present-day Camp Hill and Information within courtesy of the Camp Curtin Historical Society, Hampden Township before moving south to Cumberland County Civil War 150 Steering Committee and House Gettysburg. Divided Project by Dickinson College. VISITCUMBERLANDVALLEY.COM CW5007- 092015 Civil War and More Book Store (CWM) 5 The Peace Church was used by 1 Fort Washington was the main 10 South Market St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 the Confederates as an artillery earthwork fortifi cation guarding (717) 766.1899 • civilwarandmore.com position and outpost during June 28 Harrisburg. It was manned primarily and 29, 1863. Several local civilians by New York State Militia (left). were detained in the church so that CWM 8 It covered about sixty acres on they could not provide information To Carlisle Peace Church; Fort Washington; area Hummel’s Heights (now called MARKET ST about the Confederates to the St. John’s Church Rd & around Cumberland Washington Heights) and mounted North nearby Union troops. Trindle Rd, Camp Hill Rd, Lemoyne 25 pieces of artillery. As you Mechanicsburg look toward Harrisburg’s skyline, you can easily see the military 7 importance of this position. 6 6 SPORTING HILL RD The skirmish at Sporting Hill on 2 June 30, 1863, around the Eberly Fort Couch was a small artillery 5002 Hampden Park Drive position about a half mile west (Hampden Park) farmhouse (which became the of Fort Washington. It is the only McCormick farmhouse in 1864) was surviving example of Harrisburg’s the largest action in the Harrisburg area and the northernmost once extensive Civil War defenses. 5 Sporting Hill; These earthworks will give you engagement of the Gettysburg Fort Couch; 8th St & Sporting Hill Rd a good idea of how Civil War ST. JOHNS CHURCH RD Campaign. Unfortunately, recent Indiana Ave, Lemoyne 50 N. 36th St & Carlisle Pike, fortifi cations were constructed. development destroyed most of the (Albright House) Mechanicsburg The ground was excavated to 36th ST remnants of the battlefi eld and all create a “dry moat” and the dirt Americans lost this unique piece of used to build ramparts. The fort their heritage. was named for Major General 31st ST Darius Couch, commander of the Camp Hill Union forces defending Harrisburg. 4 3 N. 24th St 7 (Willow Park) The Rupp House served as headquarters for Confederate 3 The White Hall Orphan School 24th ST General Albert G. Jenkins, was part of a statewide system commanding the brigade of cavalry of 46 orphanages created by that came closest to Harrisburg. Governor Andrew Curtin for the 12th ST There is a monument at the site children of deceased soldiers. commemorating Jenkins and the The school was located in the Lemoyne 2 Confederate troops. (The house is 2100 block of Market Street and Jenkins’ Headquarters; not open to the public but visitors operated from 1866 until 1890. 8th ST 3rd ST 5115 Trindle Rd, may stop to see the monument.) White Hall Orphan The alumni of the school were Mechanicsburg School Monument; called “Sixteeners” because that 1 24th St & Walnut St, was the age they were graduated. CUMBERLAND RD Camp Hill Sixteeners erected a monument in 400 Block 8 Willow Park in 1926. Cumberland Rd Mechanicsburg was the northernmost town to surrender 4 The skirmish at Oyster Point to the Confederate Army. Gen. on June 28 and 29, 1863, was the Jenkins’ troops arrived outside of town on Sunday morning, June 28, farthest advance of the Confederate To Harrisburg 1863, and demanded 1,500 rations Army toward Harrisburg. The Mechanicsburg to spare the town. With no troops purpose of the attack was to Susquehanna River Museum; 3 West Allen to offer a defense, Burgess (Mayor) divert attention from Gen. Jenkins’ St, Mechanicsburg Oyster Point; 31st St & Hummel surrendered the town and reconnaissance of Harrisburg from Map not so scale. Wayside Markers Wed-Sat 12pm-3pm Market St, Camp Hill citizens collected food. Slate Hill and New Cumberland. Not all streets are shown. Pennsylvania Civil War Trails Marker.