Flames beyond Gettysburg : the Confederate expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863

Finalist - U.S. Army Heritage Foundation's 2011 Distinguished Writing Award.The Gettysburg Campaign has been examined in minute detail from nearly every aspect but one: the key role played by Richard Ewell's Second Corps during the final days in June. Scott Mingus's Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863 is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that not only shaped the course of the Gettysburg Campaign, but altered the course of our nation's history.In two powerful columns, Ewell's Corps swept toward the strategically important Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania capital looming beyond. Fear coursed through the local populace while Washington and Harrisburg scrambled to meet the threat. One of Ewell's columns included a veteran division under Jubal Early, whose objectives included the capture and ransom of towns and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover Junction rail yard. Early's most vital mission was the seizure of the Columbia Bridge, which spanned the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia. To capture the longest covered bridge in the world would allow Early's Division to cross into prosperous Lancaster County and move against the capital in Harrisburg from its relatively undefended rear. Along the way, one of Early's brigades under John Gordon occupied Gettysburg and spilled the first blood there days before the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil began on July 1.Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates Jubal Early's drama-filled expedition, including key Southern decisions, the response of the Pennsylvania militiamen and civilians who opposed the Confederates, and the burning of the Columbia Bridge. Mingus's study also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in the book. The Gettysburg Campaign has been examined in minute detail from nearly every aspect but one: the key role played by Richard Ewell's Second Corps during the final days in June. Scott Mingus's Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863 is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that not only shaped the course of the Gettysburg Campaign, but altered the course of our nation's history. In two powerful columns, Ewell's Corps swept toward the strategically important Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania capital looming beyond. Fear coursed through the local populace while Washington and Harrisburg scrambled to meet the threat. One of Ewell's columns included a veteran division under Jubal Early, whose objectives included the capture and ransom of towns and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover Junction rail yard. Early's most vital mission was the seizure of the Columbia Bridge, which spanned the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia. To capture the longest covered bridge in the world would allow Early's Division to cross into prosperous Lancaster County and move against the capital in Harrisburg from its relatively undefended rear. Along the way, one of Early's brigades under John Gordon occupied Gettysburg and spilled the first blood there days before the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil began on July 1. Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates both sides of Ewell's drama-filled expedition, including key Southern decisions, the response of the Pennsylvania militiamen and civilians who opposed the Confederates, and the burning of the Columbia Bridge. Mingus's study also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in the book, including the Confederate route of march from Maryland; the June 26 skirmish at Gettysburg and the fight at the Witmer Farm; Lt. Col. Elijah V. White's cavalry raids on Point-of-Rocks and Hanover Junction; Gordon's triumphal march through York; the skirmish at Wrightsville; and the bridge burning. Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps by cartographer Steven Stanley, the fast-paced and gracefully written Flames Beyond Gettysburg is a welcomed and important addition to the Gettysburg literature Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Foreword -- Lee Looks North -- Invasion Plans -- North to the Mason-Dixon Line -- Pennsylvania�s Response -- Preparing for the Rebels -- Fear Turns to Reality -- The Columbia Bridge -- Defending the Bridge -- The Rebels are Coming! -- The Defense of Gettysburg -- Contact -- Invasion! -- A Gray Tide Rises -- A Dutchman�s Pride -- The Comanches -- The Emergency Men -- Watching for the Rebels -- Gunfire at Gettysburg -- A Mountain March -- Skirmish at Marsh Creek -- Gettysburg under the Rebel Flag Skirmish at Witmer FarmEarly Ransoms Gettysburg -- Haller Retreats to York -- Flames in the Gettysburg Night -- The Gray Shadow Stretches Eastward -- Protecting York -- Farquhar Negotiates with General Gordon -- White Raids Hanover Junction -- Comanches on the Warpath -- White Sacks Hanover Junction -- The Spoils of War -- Gordon Parades through York -- To Surrender or Not -- Negotiating York�s future -- A Sunday Stroll -- Wrightsville Prepares -- A War Hero Returns to Duty -- On to Columbia and Wrightsville -- Frick and Haller Join Forces A Restless Sabbath in WrightsvilleGordon Attacks Wrightsville -- Seize the Bridge! -- The Skirmish of Wrightsville -- Retreat to Columbia -- A Scene of Confusion and Excitement -- Burning the Bridge Behind Them -- Saving Wrightsville -- Saving Columbia -- Calm Returns to Wrightsville -- The Aftermath -- A Rebel Dawn in Wrightsville -- Across the Broad Susquehanna -- The Threat Subsides -- York Under the Rebel Flag -- The Rebels Finally Leave York County -- The Impact of Gordon�s Expedition -- The Scars of War -- Epilogue -- The Confederates The FederalsThe Civilians -- Hanover Junction -- The Columbia Bridge -- Order of Battle: Wrightsville -- Casualties and Losses at Wrightsville -- The Weather during Gordon�s Expedition -- Chronology -- Gordon�s Expedition -- Gordon�s Approach to Gettysburg and the Skirmish at Marsh Creek -- The Witmer Farm Skirmish and Gordon�s March to York -- Gordon Parades through York to Wrightsville -- The Wrightsville Skirmish -- Wartime Columbia -- Driving Tour: White�s Raid on Hanover Junction -- Bibliography -- INDEX

An in-depth look at a Confederate general and the first blood spilled at Gettysburg, with maps, photos, and a guide to historic sites. This book examines the key role played by Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell's Second Corps during the final days in June. It is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that not only shaped the course of the Gettysburg Campaign but altered the course of our nation's history. In two powerful columns, Ewell's Corps swept toward the strategically important Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania capital looming beyond. Fear coursed through the local populace while Washington and Harrisburg scrambled to meet the threat. One of Ewell's columns included a veteran division under Jubal Early, whose objectives included the capture and ransom of towns and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover Junction rail yard. Early's most vital mission was the seizure of the Columbia Bridge, which spanned the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia. To capture the longest covered bridge in the world would allow the division to cross into prosperous Lancaster County and move against the capital in Harrisburg. Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates both sides of Ewell's drama-filled expedition, including key Southern decisions, the response of the Pennsylvania militiamen and civilians who opposed the Confederates, and the burning of the Columbia Bridge. It also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in the book. Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps by cartographer Steven Stanley, this fast-paced and gracefully written history is a welcome and important addition to the Gettysburg literature.

Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Foreword -- Lee Looks North -- Invasion Plans -- North to the Mason-Dixon Line -- Pennsylvaniaâ€?s Response -- Preparing for the Rebels -- Fear Turns to Reality -- The Columbia Bridge -- Defending the Bridge -- The Rebels are Coming! -- The Defense of Gettysburg -- Contact -- Invasion! -- A Gray Tide Rises -- A Dutchmanâ€?s Pride -- The Comanches -- The Emergency Men -- Watching for the Rebels -- Gunfire at Gettysburg -- A Mountain March -- Skirmish at Marsh Creek -- Gettysburg under the Rebel Flag;Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps, the fast-paced and gracefully written 'Flames Beyond Gettysburg' is a welcomed and important addition to the Gettysburg literature. The book includes several detailed driving tours and a complete order of battle for both Gordon’s Georgians and the Pennsylvanians who opposed them. Bisac Code 1: HIS036050