Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads connects visitors to the past

Carlisle, PA (May 14, 2009) – Pennsylvania played a vital role in the Civil War, and now visitors to its Dutch Country Roads region can link dozens of cities, towns and landmarks to the campaign before thegreatest battle on American soil – Gettysburg.

Through Pennsylvania’s Civil War Trails program, communities in Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster and York counties are brought together to tell the stories – not just of soldiers and cannon fire  but those of the people, the commerce and African-Americans during the Road to Harrisburg and the Road to Gettysburg, two major campaigns that became the turning point of the American Civil War.

As American nears the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, visitors from all over the world will be exploring towns across the United States to get a better understanding of this unforgettable time in our nation’s history.

The Dutch Country Roads region of Pennsylvania is one of the most visited and historic places in America. It is here that you will learn about the events leading up to the only Civil War battle on Union ground, one that changed the course of not only the Civil War, but American history.

This small historic town found itself in the center of what would become a pivotal point in American history. More than 50,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the fields surrounding this town of only 2,400 residents. Gettysburg invites you to explore this hallowed ground and learn the tragic and heroic stories of its own citizens as troops retreated from town leaving behind tens of thousands of wounded soldiers. Retrace the footsteps of Lincoln, as his short visit to deliver “a few appropriate remarks” changed Gettysburg from a place of tragedy to one of hope.

Pennsylvania’s new Civil War Trail honors the lives of extraordinary patriots.

Traveling the trail in York County, you’ll connect with valiant soldiers,

resourceful women, and voices for freedom through 13 interpretive markers.

Follow the footsteps of men and women who shaped our nation in York County,

offering three centuries of captivating American history. Discover stories of

Revolutionary War heroes and the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of the Articles of

Confederation. Celebrate America’s favorite president at the historic Hanover Junction Train Station

along the York County Heritage Rail Trail with a newly installed Lincoln bust. Lincoln visited Hanover

Junction in November 1863 en route to delivering the Gettysburg Address.

Cumberland Valley was the site of the Confederate invasion into the state of

Pennsylvania. Dickinson College, the Cumberland County Historical Society

and the Army Heritage Education Center remember the heartfelt stories of those

impacted by the Civil War. Capture the spirit of this living history through firstperson

interpreters by participating in a “Live and Learn Weekend,”

experiencing the rampage through Shippensburg during the March to Destiny or

stepping into Civil War winter encampment cabins at Army Heritage Day.

Relax and discover further at the Civil War and More shop in Mechanicsburg.

It was June of 1863. The Confederate Army had taken York, and was preparing

to cross the Susquehanna River eastward into Lancaster County by capturing the

Wrightsville-Columbia Bridge, overtake Lancaster city, and then advance to

Harrisburg and ultimately Philadelphia. After attempts to defend the western

(Wrightsville) edge of the bridge failed, several hundred Union troops and

Pennsylvania Militia retreated across the river on June 28.

To prevent the Confederate advance, the northern troops and Columbia’s citizens made the bold

sacrifice of burning the bridge, the key thoroughfare for area commerce and communications. These

efforts proved effective, and would play an integral part in the prelude to the Battle of Gettysburg, which

erupted three days later. Learn more about Lancaster County’s role in this vital turning point in

American history by visiting its Susquehanna River Towns of Columbia and Marietta, along the new

Pennsylvania Civil War Trails.

Franklin County was quick to erect a “liberty pole” and raise troops for the

Union cause. Union soldiers and supplies headed to the Shenandoah Valley

aboard the trains of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Community buildings

served as hospitals.

Then, in October 1862, war crossed the Mason Dixon Line. General J.E.B.

Stuart and 1,800 Confederate soldiers raided Franklin County, seizing hostages

in Mercersburg and cutting the telegraph wires and burning the railroad shops and warehouses in

Chambersburg. War continued and brought occupation.

In June 1863, in the days leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg, Gen. Robert E. Lee and 65,000 men

headquartered in Chambersburg before deciding to move east to meet the Union Army. On July 30

1864, Gen. John McCausland brought the ultimate retaliation--a ransom of Chambersburg for $100,000

in gold or $500,000 in Yankee currency. With no ransom forthcoming, Confederate soldiers burned the

core of Chambersburg. Five hundred and fifty structures burned. Two thousand people were homeless.

Total loss and damage exceeded $1 million.

Reading, Pennsylvania’s Ringgold Light Artillery was one of the first regiments

to answer President Lincoln’s call to arms. This brave group of volunteers said

goodbye to their Pennsylvania homes and marched into Washington and history

as First Defenders of the Union. In addition to supplying patriotism and militia,

Greater Reading provided heavy ammunition to the war effort as well as respite

to fleeing slaves with its many Underground Railroad stops.

For those pursuing Pennsylvania’s Civil War Trail, plan on numerous stops in Greater Reading. Visit

cemeteries where soldiers and slaves are interred together, iron furnaces like Hopewell and Joanna that

thrived while the country fought to save the union or watch civil war re-enactments in our local county

parks. Take a Ride.

The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pa., recently opened a new

exhibit titled “Box Car War: Logistics of the Civil War” that examines the

tremendous challenges faced by both the Union and Confederate forces in

supplying and maintaining their armies in the field of battle.

The exhibit follows the process of raising massive wartime armies from small

peacetime militia, the administrative burden of mustering soldiers, and the inherent challenges of

communicating throughout extensive chains of command in armies and navies, from companies to

corps, and from ship to fleet.

Visitors will also learn about war time supply chains from the ordering to manufacturing and delivering

of vital field supplies such as food, medicine and transportation support.

Visit www.NationalCivilWarMuseum.org for upcoming exhibits, hours of operation, and special events.

“The Pennsylvania Past Players Living History” project is a touring troupe of

professionally trained interpreters, headquartered at The National Civil War

Museum in Harrisburg, who recreate actual characters from the state’s rich past.

Gripping stories, delightful tales and documented occurrences come to life for

visitors at Civil War and Underground Railroad sites along the Civil War Trail

in Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads Region through the words of these performing historians.

“This living history project combined with all of the significant Civil War sites in our Dutch Country

Roads Region will significantly enhance how visitors e
[Back to Press Releases Main]