Thank you to our symposium coordinators kevin pollack and dan welch. Unfortunately, because of the covid pandemic we had to postpone this years inperson symposium and all the work kevin and dan did to get ready for that weve postponed to next year. Tickets are available at this time but theyre the ones who stepped up to help make todays virtual symposium possible. Thank you for your work. I would like to introduce our next speaker, sarah kay bierle, the managing editor of emerging civil war, the one working behindthescenes to keep the blog up and going and make sure that all that free content is coming to you every day. Her work is absolutely invaluable to our organization. Sarah is the author of the emerging civil war series call out the cadet from the emerging civil war series, the battle of new market. She is also at work on the gallant pelham and will present some of her Research Associated with that book today. Sarah kay bierle. Well, good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. Im not exactly sure when you will be viewing this, but i hope that you are safe and well and were going to dive right into the history here. So, as chris said, im going to be sharing a little bit about some of the research ive been doing on the stuart artillery but were going to take a much broader range on it. Were not going to get focused just on that unit or that artillery commander. Were going to look at a cavalry movement. A cavalry raid. And that is the chambersburg raid of 1862. So lets kick off the talk. Were the boys who rode around mclellan. Chambersburg is part of the height of the confederate cavalry legends in the east. This movement was ordered by robert e. Lee, and it put the men and horses to the test. Well be digging a little deeper into that. I usually like to give an outline of where were going with a presentation. Its pretty straightforward today and its going to be some traditional military history. Were going to be looking at aspects of the long route that the cavalry took on the raid. Well take a look at some of their civilian interactions and close it out by talking about the farreaching repercussions of the raid itself. I think its a good idea to start with some stories about the people involved. And since were going to take the high overview look today, were going to talk about some of the leaders at the top. So were going to start off with George Mcclellan. He should be on the far left of your screen. Im hoping it translates that way for you. Here is a little overview. Many of you might be familiar with him but there might be something new or a good reminder as were Getting Started here. So George Mcclellan was born in 1826. He entered west point in 1842, graduating four years later in the famed class of 1846. In that class he graduated second out of 59. Due to his high ranking he went into the corps of engineers served under Winfield Scott in the mexicanamerican war and promoted to First Lieutenant and captain shortly thereafter. After the Mexican American war mcclennan returned to west point to teach. He translated a french tactic which has perhaps a bit of irony because when it comes to Civil War History we dont associate mcclellan with the bayonet. He spent time at ft. Delaware on the red river and looking for a route for the transcontinental railroad. He went to europe for the crimean war. For the crimean war. In 1857, mcclellan resigned from the u. S. Army, and served as Vice President and later president for rail road companies. Given him some background in organization in logistics. In 1861, when the civil war breaks out, mcclellan returns to the military. And he will first serve in the department of ohio. On may 14th of that year he commissioned as a Major General, in the regular army. So hes moved to the top, very quickly. Campaigns in the western virginia area, he offers strategy on how the war could be one, very early on. Just in the opening days. And then, he summoned washington d. C. Five days after the federal troops suffered defeat. The first battle he arrives on july 26, and begins to form and train what would become the army of the potomac. On november 1st, 1861, mcclellan takes over as general in chief as a Winfield Scott resigns. When concern was expressed about how much mcclellan was taken on, he boldly proclaimed, i can do it all. And part of his goal to do it all, included a grand strategy for 1862. That involved the peninsula campaign. Moving thousands of troops from the washington and alexander area, to the virginia peninsula. That movement started in march of that year, but by may 5th, they had only made it to williamsburg. Its on the peninsula that mcclellan has his first run in with general j. E. B. Stuart. And steward performs a raid in june, which is his first right around mcclellan. But more on that in just a moment, the seven days battles forces mcclellan to retreat from richmond and eventually he withdraws from the peninsula. And there had been a lot of political wrangling, blunders back and forth in that whole period. So he wasnt necessarily proving that he could do it all. On september 2nd, though, with confederate troops starting to move northward, mcclellan its called back and he commands to fortification in washington and all the troops to defend the capital. Lincolns cabinet was a bit worried about this decision. And they wrote down some of their disagreements, saying, quote, our deliberative pinion, that at this time it is not safe to interest Major General mcclellan the command of any army, of the united states. Privately, however, lincoln said to his secretary, john hey, we must use what tools we have. There is no man in the army coop unmanned these fortifications, and like these troops of ours into shape, half as well as he. If he cant fight himself, he excels and making others ready to fight. During the Maryland Campaign, mcclellan did not move very quickly. But he did manage to fight the battle of antietam, on the Bloodiest Day of american history. The result of that battle for sister confederate to retreat across the potomac, enough that mcclellan can claim a victory, and enough that lincoln can issue a preliminary emancipation proclamation. And once the confederates are back across the river, mcclellan settle down for some more waiting. President lincoln visited the general of the very beginning of october, they took some famous photographs at the time. But it had little effect on mcclellans motivation or incentive to move a bit faster. Now, the gentleman on the far right of your screen, is albert pleasant in. I wanted to mention him because hes going to be the guy, spoiler alert, who will have the best chain chance of stopping john, well get to. That he was born on july seven, 1824. His father, who was rather famous, helped Save National archives when the british burned to washington, d. C. , during the war of 1812. His dad also served as the fifth i deter of the u. S. Treasury, and superintendent of lighthouses from 1820 to 1852. They host precip will war, a little hobby of mine, so i had to throw that in there. Back to alfred. He graduated from west point in 1834, commissioned and served in the territories of iowa, minnesota, and texas. During the Mexican American war, he promoted to First Lieutenant for the battles of paulo alto. In the mid 18 fifties, he served as his regiments adjutant, and also promoted to captain. Now pleasonton was in utah territory, when the war began in 1861. And he travels back east with the second travels. Once we go back to washington, d. C. , pleasonton try to politic his way into a higher army of rank, using his dads old political connections. But it didnt work out very well for him. On august 3rd, 1861, and he entered the second u. S. Cavalry regiment. The following year, on february 15th he promoted to major. He did serve with mcclellans army in the peninsula campaign, about his time with the cavalry there has been described as unremarkable. On july 16th, 1826, pleasonton promotes two general volunteers, and moves to command a cavalry brigade in the army of the potomac. On september 2nd, 1862, he gets to Division Come in which he will hold for the Maryland Campaign. Pleasonton is slightly wounded at antietam, and he made really big claims that he had done a lot of great things in the battle, and was upset that he didnt get promoted to Major General. At the very beginning of october, 1862, pleasonton and some of his cavalry cross the potomac that shepherds down, and briefly occupied martins bergh. But a couple of hours later, they were driven out. Pleasonton had ambition, and there were tests coming for him in the next weeks, to see if he might be able to pass those tests, and seek more of the command, promotion and fame, that he might have been seeking. And, finally, we come to the officer in the center, general j. E. B. Stuart, and he stir guy who kind of instigate its the chambersburg right. And he will carry it out. Quick overview of his life up to that point. He was born on february six, 1833. He attempted to enlist in a u. S. Military in 1848, but was told he was too young. So he spent two years at emory and henry college. Then, in 1850, he received his appointment to the military academy at west point. During stuart time there, robert easily arrived, actually in 1852, and served as the military academy superintendent. Around the same time, someone who would later command under stored in the civil war, also arrived. Stuart he was honored for his equestrian in cavalry skills during his time in west point. He graduated 13th in a class of 46. He served in the u. S. Regiment of amounted riflemen in texas. Saw action in kansas territory, when it was bleeding kansas and was wounded during a fight with cheyenne warriors. In 1859 stuart was in washington d. C. , securing a pageant for his saber hook, so at that time john browns raid procured in the, ferry and stuart joins robert e. Lee it helps to identify john brown, and also the u. S. Marines who attacked the house, where brown was hiding out. On april 22nd, 1861, ten days after the fire broke, out stuart promoted to captain in the u. S. Army. He resigned, though, on may 3rd. On may 10th, one week later, he commissioned as a lieutenant colonel, in the virginia forces. And he helped organize the cavalry regiment. He is promoted to full colonel, in july 16th. Works closely with thomas jackson. Organizing and training troops. The battle of first run, is where he begins to highlight his skills for the cavalry, in addition to some of the beginning that he had, done prior to that. He promotes to brigadier general, on september 24th, 1861. He spends the autumn, winter and early part of the spring, training his cavalry and doing some innovative ideas with the concept of forced artillery. Stuart goes to the peninsula, fights in the battle of williamsburg and is helping to cover parts of the confederate movement, in that peninsula campaign. After robert e. Lee takes command, he asks stuart to go scouting. And this will be the first right around the call, and also called in the right. Stuart and his calorie get more experience, notably in the second round campaign, especially Northern Virginia and the invasion of maryland, in the autumn of 1862. So lets change the slides here, and on the screen, hopefully are able to see that to the left we have a map of stuarts two comedy rate. So both rates are a ride around the army. And it helps to know, a little bit about the chickahominy rate. It occurs between june 12 and 15, 1862, right in the middle of the peninsula campaign. , they capture 165 Union Soldiers. 260 horses and meals, and very supplies. They write approximately 150 miles. Most importantly, they are able to confirm the information that lee wanted to know. His right flank was vulnerable. They face no serious opposition, the Union Cavalry was decentralized in their approach to trying to combat them a little bit. Stuart did clash with troops commanded by his fatherinlaw, the. So a bit of a human sight there. One man is reported kill in the chickahominy right, on the confederate side. This launches stuarts and his cavalry into confederate, fame and confederate legend. He becomes part of the story of the defenders of richmond. And hes really able to push the idea of the gala cavalry, and things like that. So were gonna fast forward in the timeline, and now. To october six, the battle of antietam has been fought, as weve said they are waiting in lincoln wants to do something. But mcclellan is still in waiting mode. October six, we know that these men are talking about another raid northward. It might have been undermines, before, but october six is the day that we can pinpoint those discussions happening. Two days later, lee since orders to stuart. They began with these words. An expedition into maryland, with a detachment of cavalry, if it can be successfully executed, is at this time desirable. You whale, therefore former detachment from 1200 to 1500 and well mounted men, suitable for such an expedition. And should the information from your scouts lead you to suppose that your movement can be concealed from bodies of the enemy, that would be able to resist it, your desire to cross the potomac and proceed to the rear of chambers bergh, and endeavor to destroy the railroad bridge. Any other damage that you can inflict upon the enemy, or his means of transportation, you will also execute. Lee goes on to give more detailed instructions, including the destruction of the railroad supply lines, for mcclellans army. The importance of gathering information about pennsylvania, the necessity to keep movement secret. And he says the taking hostages, if necessary, will be permissible. This is somewhat prompted by white Union General john pope did, in his summer campaigns in regina. Lee adds some concluding advice, saying, reliance is placed upon your skill and judgment, in the successful execution of this plan. And it is not intended, or desired, that you should jeopardize the safety of your command, or go further than your good judgment and prudence may dictate. So, as stuart prepared his cavalry for this raid, that theyre going to make, his headquarters are at a Country House known as the bower. And his calories in a camp, at an area nearby. The power belongs to adam stephen dandridge. And the time stuart has his headquarters there, is often written about as there were lots of parties, feasts, dances. It was almost a break from the war. Light stuart will take a break from the break from the war to organize the chambers brigade. On october 9th, one day after he received instructions from lee, he issues orders to his troops. Soldiers, you are about to engage in an enterprise which, to ensure success, imperatively demands that your hands coolness, decision and bravery. Implicit obedience to order without question. And the strictest order and sobriety on the march, and in the flux. The destination and extent of this expedition had better be kept to myself, then no to you. Suffice it to say, that with the Party Cooperation of officers and men, i have not a doubt of its success. A success which will reflect credit, to the highest degree on your arms. The orders, which are here with published for your government, are absolutely necessary and must be rigidly enforced. So stewart goes through an issues, these directives of things that will and will not happen on these forthcoming right. First off, top priority in stuarts mind is to capture horses. Youre gonna have cavalry, have to have horses. And they needed to be able to replenish those amounts. He did say that they would seize property from u. S. Citizens, and from government supply areas. But, the receipts would be given so that those citizens could make claims to the federal government. No personal blundering was to be allowed. He then issued orders for how they would manage all these horses, that they were going to capture. Any hostages that were taken, were to be treated kindly. No straggling would be permitted in the column, and no property would be seized until they got to pennsylvania. So, stuart did not want to be rating horses or other supplies, from the people of maryland. Lee and the confederacy were still trying to court maryland to their side. And blundering from those people was probably not a good way to make friends. So while a horse collecting would have to wait until they crossed the masondixon line. According to henry mcclellan, who served on stuart staff, 600 of the best mounted men were pulled from three brigades. 600 from each, thats an easier way to think of it. So 600 from hamptons, fifth leads, and robertsons regards. Now the gentleman who went along to come in these attachments where wade hampton, lee, and colonel william e rumbled jones. May hear major john tell him took four guns and crews from the steward course artillery, two from the unit direct and two that he pulled from other units. Around 2 pm, on october 9th, the cavalry that is going to go on the raid leaving begins leaving their camps and heading towards hedge failed. Captain thomas slogan, of illinois, every also, unfair we heights, there was an union signal station, and centuries that may have been able to see the confederate movements towards the river. So stuart it has cavalry secured the area around head trail, they are still on the West Virginia side of the river. And at midnight, stuart heads for the river to finalized crossing point, early in the morning of october 10th, thats a friday, heavy fog settles in around the river. The confederate secure the forward, but they dont completely surprise the union pickets. Hamptons detachment leads the crossing. Meanwhile, civilians alert captain logan and his pickets. Logan decides not to engage, but he immediately notifies all the union officers, in the area. Confederates capture the single station at four of you, and then a column begins heading north of pennsylvania. They crossed the masondixon line, into franklin county, move through a valley. And its at that point that they begin collecting horses. Now, along the way, a captain will record that he saw some of the soldiers pillaging and feasting. On the other hand some say he never saw that. Capturing horses, as we mentioned, was a goal that stuart had in this raid. There are a number of stories that come down to us about the processes. Sometimes victims fede