Posted inLocal Histories

Become a Supporter

You love history, I love history! It’s a great match, and I’m enjoying sharing historical news articles every day. Some are following a specific topic — like the US Civil War series — others range far afield or get very local.

You can buy me a coffee (or several if you like!) in appreciation.

Or consider becoming a sustaining supporter. You can do that via Patreon and subscribers get access to upcoming ebook content, the opportunity to request topics of your choice, and input into future projects. All that for a modest $3 or more per month!

Painting of Union troops of the 1st Minnesota charging Confederate lines.
Posted inUS Civil War

July 3, 1863 – The Latest From The Battlefield!

Despatches have been received here from our brave Army of the Potomac up to last night. It is announced that Gens. Barlow and Schimmelpfenning were both wounded and fell into the enemy’s hands in the engagement of the day before yesterday. They, with Generals Reynolds and Paul killed, were the only Union general officers who met with casualties. It is definitely stated, we hear, in the despatches referred to above, that the battle was fought on our part only by the First and Eleventh army corps; while the rebel force engaged against them were believed to embrace two-thirds of Lee’s entire army.

Illustration of General Stuart (as identified by the decorative hat plumage) leading a group of cavalry.
Posted inUS Civil War

July 2, 1863 – Battle Joined In Pennsylvania

Heavy Firing toward Gettysburg all Night—A General Engagement Probable—York Occupied by Meades Army in Force.

Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.

LANCASTER. Pa., Wednesday, July 1, 1863.
Signal rockets were seen and firing was heard last night at Columbia in the direction of Gettysburg, and continued till 3 o’clock this morning. At times the cannonading was rapid and heavy. The national troops occupy York in force.

Illustration of the ploughing match, showing several gentlemen in the foreground watching men plough a field in competition.
Posted inCulture & Society Local Histories

Grand Ploughing Match At The Royal Agricultural Society Of England Meeting

The public exhibition of ploughing in competition for the several premiums offered, took place in a field in the occupation of Philip John Miles, Esg., of Leigh Court, and situated near Beggar’s Bush, on the high road to Pill and Portshead.

The weather was, on the whole, less favourable than could have been desired; but the interesting nature of the operation, and its importance as a branch of the agricultural art, attracted a very large concourse of spectators, including a large proportion of practical farmers. The hour named for the commencement of the match was twelve o’clock; but for upwards of two hours before that period the roads in the immediate neighbourhood of the field were thronged by persons from Bristol, as well as from St. George’s, Abbotsleigh, and the surrounding villages, who were anxious to get a view of the proceedings.

Map of engagement at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 at approximately 0700. Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
Posted inUS Civil War

July 1, 1863 – Rebels Retreat From Carlisle Toward Gettysburg

HARRISBURG, June 30—A citizen of Carlisle who left at eleven o’clock arrived here this afternoon. He states that all the rebel infantry, 9,000 strong, with forty pieces of artillery, left this morning, taking the roads towards Gettysburg. On his way he met nothing but cavalry pickets.

During their stay they occupied the barracks and grounds and most of the prominent buildings which were vacant.

The citizens were compelled to furnish rations so far as their means would admit.