GDG- Artillery threats to towns

[Scott Mingus, Sr.]

In researching an article for Gettysburg Magazine I am writing, I have recently become intrigued by several accounts of Confederate artillery being ordered to unlimber on hills overlooking Pennsylvania towns as troops camped there or passed through, even when no Yankees were in sight. I have read of this at Waynesboro (Early), Abbottstown (Gordon), York (Early), Jefferson (Stuart), Dover (Stuart), and several others places. At Abbottstown, Tanner's Courtney Artillery dug lunettes, which locals recall seeing up until the late 1960s when erosion and plowing finished them off.
   
  Was this a common practice for the Confederates throughout the war on routine marches, or was this a precaution strictly employed when deep into enemy territory?
   
   


Scott Mingus

My new book, "Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign," may be purchased from Borders, Barnes & Noble, or amazon.com, as well as directly from me.
       
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