Custom Search

Civil War Battles in Pennsylvania

All Civil War battles in Pennsylvania can be found right here.

Civil War battles in Pennsylvania

Other Names: None

Location: York County

Campaign: Gettysburg Campaign (June-August 1863)

Date(s): June 30, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick [US]; Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigades

Estimated Casualties: 330 total

Description: Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, which was riding north to get around the Union army, attacked a Union cavalry regiment, driving it through the streets of Hanover. Brig. Gen. Farnsworth's brigade arrived and counterattacked, routing the Confederate vanguard and nearly capturing Stuart himself. Stuart counterattacked. Reinforced by Brig. Gen. George A. Custer's brigade, Farnsworth held his ground, and a stalemate ensued. Stuart was forced to continue north and east to get around the Union cavalry, further delaying his attempt to rejoin Lee's army which was then concentrating at Cashtown Gap west of Gettysburg.

Result(s): Inconclusive

Civil War battles in Pennsylvania

Other Names: None

Location: Adams County

Campaign: Gettysburg Campaign (June-August 1863)

Date(s): July 1-3, 1863

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]

Forces Engaged: 158,300 total (US 83,289; CS 75,054)

Estimated Casualties: 51,000 total (US 23,000; CS 28,000)

Description: Gen. Robert E. Lee concentrated his full strength against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac at the crossroads county seat of Gettysburg. On July 1, Confederate forces converged on the town from west and north, driving Union defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. During the night, reinforcements arrived for both sides. On July 2, Lee attempted to envelop the Federals, first striking the Union left flank at the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil's Den, and the Round Tops with Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, and then attacking the Union right at Culp's and East Cemetery Hills with Ewell's divisions. By evening, the Federals retained Little Round Top and had repulsed most of Ewell's men. During the morning of July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from their last toe-hold on Culp's Hill. In the afternoon, after a preliminary artillery bombardment, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The Pickett-Pettigrew assault (more popularly, Pickett's Charge) momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties. Stuart's cavalry attempted to gain the Union rear but was repulsed. On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. His train of wounded stretched more than fourteen miles.

Result(s): Union victory

Return From Civil War Battles in Pennsylvania to Civil War Battles