On Sunday, March 18 the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association will open its doors to the first educational presentation of 2018. At 6 p.m., Scott Mingus from York, PA will present an hour long Civil War program entitled “Flames beyond Gettysburg.” The program will be held in the Mule Stable meeting room at Joanna Furnace Ironworks in Morgantown.
In late June 1863, two powerful columns of Confederate troops approached the Susquehanna River in south-central Pennsylvania. One marched northeasterly from Franklin County through Carlisle toward Harrisburg and the other headed eastward through Gettysburg and York towards Wrightsville/Columbia.
This PowerPoint talk by veteran author Scott L. Mingus Sr. will cover the latter command, that of Major Gen. Jubal A. Early, as it conquered Gettysburg after a series of skirmishes on June 26 and then two days later occupied York, the largest Northern town to fall to the Confederates during the entire war. General Early ransomed York for money and supplies and surrounded the town with artillery and troops.
Hastily organized state militia defended the river crossing at Wrightsville and then burned the world’s longest covered bridge to prevent Rebel passage into Lancaster County, from which Jubal Early had hoped to threaten Harrisburg.
Mingus is a well-known authority on the Civil War and has authored over nineteen books focusing on various aspects of the conflict and the Underground Railroad. He will have some of his books available for sale that evening.
Students, history buffs, HCVHA members and the general public are all invited to this insightful, exciting program sponsored by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association. Admission to this special HCVHA educational program is free.
Historic Joanna Furnace Ironworks is located three miles north of Morgantown, off Route 10-turn on Furnace Road. For further information visit www.haycreek.org or education@haycreek.org.
