CW Camps Near Lancaster and York Counties

[tdc129]

Hi everyone! I am new to metal detecting and I love the Civil War. I was wondering if anyone can give me some info on where in Lancaster and York counties would be good places to start looking. Literature or places to look to find local encampments would be greatly appreciated too. Thanks in advance!

 

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[baspinall]

I would love to add chester county to that list... Ive been reseaching a lot but coming up a little empty handed on camp spots. Lots of info on revolutionary war areas. The guys that have their favorite spots do not give them up. You have a MD club in Lancaster.Where are you located?

Brian

 

[Ocean7]

try this site - might find something. key in City, state

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/

 

[tdc129]

Baspinall - I'm not in any clubs here like I said I literally just started in metal detecting. I live near where the Rte 30 bypass ends and becomes Rte 30 Bus heading eastbound.

Ocean7 - Thanks for the link...I will definitely check it out!!

 

[baspinall]

tdc129 I'm right off the rt.82 exit on the 30 bypass.

Brian

 

[DCMatt]

Have you looked around at the west end of Wrightsville? Late June of 1863, Union troops dug rifle pits there in an attempt to defend the bridge (old bridge at 462(?)). They failed and set the bridge afire as they retreated to Columbia (burning down some of Wrightville in the process). There was a brief skirmish there. From the reports, rifle pits were "near the York turnpike, about a half mile from Wrightsville". Confederate troops hung around the area for a day or two before heading back to Gettysburg.

I know that Confederate troops under General Gordon camped "east of the Post Office" in the village of Farmers along Rt. 30 west of York . But they were only there for one night. Farmers is now considered part of Thomasville in Paradise Twnshp.

While Gordon was at Farmers, General Early and his staff spent the night 4 mile to the north of Farmers along the
East Berlin road. I think there is a marker at the house. Troops camped in the fields nearby. Again, just one night.

Most of my research tells me that neither army spent much time in York county.

Good luck!

DCMatt

 

[tdc129]

Thanks DCMatt. I knew of the Wrighstville Bridge area previously but I will check on all the others. Thats good info.

The reason I posted this thread was not only to try to get some knowledge from the pros out there but to also possibly see if anyone had any reccommended readings or good websites with good info pertaining to this area.

Thanks Alot Everyone!

 

[DCMatt]

You could try Hanover, too. There was a battle there just before Gettysburg. West end of town (where ever that was in 1863...) Maybe along the road to Littlestown? I really don't know where exactly...


From the Official Records:
___________________________________________________________

Report of Major John Hammond, Fifth New York Cavalry.

BATTLE OF HANOVER, PA., JUNE 30.

On the morning of June 30, this command left Littlesto#n, Pa.,
and took up the line of march, being fourth in column, the First
Vermont, First West Virginia, and Elder’s battery being in advance
and the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in rear. About noon, we
entered the town of Hanover and halted in the main street. While
resting, an attack was made upon the ambulances and stragglers in
rear of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, driving them in upon the regi-
ment, and completely breaking up the column, which ran in con-
fusion up the street upon the rear of my regiment, which had faced
about, and was trying to clear the streets of the fugitives preparatory
to making a charge upon the advancing column of the enemy. They
finally succeeded; and, without waiting for orders, immediately
charged upon the enemy, driving them to the outside of town, where
we found a large force drawn up in the road as a reserve, and re-
ceived from them a severe fire, causing the men to halt for a moment.
General Farnsworth arriving at this time from the froilt, the men
were reformed, and made another charge, driving the rebels in con-
fusion along the road and through the fields. Private [Thomas]
Burke, of Company A, captured a battle-flag from the enemy in this
charge, and subsequently turned it over to General Kilipatrick. * The
enemy, finding himself repulsed, opened upon the town with artil-
lery. Skirmishers were immediately sent forward, and a reserve
force placed at the outer edge of town. On returning to the other
side, where the rest of the brigade were drawn up in line, I was or-
dered to act as a support to Elder’s battery. Finding that our posi-
tion endangered the town, we moved around to the eastern side,
when, the Second Brigade having returned, I was ordered by Gen-
eral Kilpatrick to flank the enemy’s pcsition, and capture the battery,
if possible, and to order an advance of the skirmishers on the right,
which was done. The enemy, finding what our intentions were, re-
treated, and we immediately started in pursuit, but failed to come
up with him. We were then ordered back, and went into bivouac
outside the town. .1 regret to state that, in the first charge, Adj a-
taut Gall was killed and Major White severely wounded. The offi-
cers and men behaved nobly.
Our loss was 2 officers killed, 2 enlisted men killed, 25 wounded,
and 10 missing.

 

[prospectorYorkPA]

York isn't much for civil war artifacts. As DCMatt said above, the confederates camped west of York and the York wimps went out to meet them and pay them not to burn York. They marched through York to Wrights Ferry (Wrightsville) and were frustrated by the Union burning the bridge over the Susquehanna River. Turned around marched back through York to Gettysburg. There are rumors of a Union encampment (unknown to the rebels) at this time. Locals tell me where it was located but Hurricane Agnus wiped out any trace that was there in 1972. On the other hand, plenty of other history around here early 1700's on. Fort Security ( a revolutionary war prison) has been uncovered in east York about 2 miles from me.

 

[ckcdecks1]

i just found this site, and thats why i was in this section. I ive in South Jersey right over the bridge. I was actually searching to see if anyone looked into this before, ( these fort sights ) It doesnt have maps but it has adresses. I saw on the covered bridge thread someone lived in Tinicum? It looks like there is an old fort there, one of the oldest.

http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/pa.html

Let me know what you guys think, cause this is why i was snooping over here
thanks in advance
kurtis

 

[labradoodle of pa]

go to google search type in civil war journals and pa civil war soldiers also go into any old news paper sites from york lancaster gettysburg during the years of the civil war will sometimes giive you troop movements and where and how long they camped christian light book store in gettysburg has lots of books on the civil war you just have to dig dig dig into all of the info and research most people won't give up there honey holes also join a treasure hunting club in your area Bob

 

[labradoodle of pa]

back with more infro a good club not to far away Pen Mar Historical Recovery Association call Don Hinks at Gettysburg Electronics wich is also the Christian Light book store He will mail you a application to join lots of good friendly people there meeting is tonite but it doesn't look good with the snow and the ice storm today call Don at 717-334-8634 good luck and mabe I will meet you at one of the meetings Bob