John T Krepps - A Strong and Sudden Onslaught: The Cavalry Action at Hanover, Pennsylvania

Copyright 2008 by John T. Krepps

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-0-692-85485-3
ISBN 978-0-578-61447-2 (e-book)

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Second Edition

PRINTED AND BOUND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Cover Design by Philip M. Cole

Maps provided by David Weaver

Photos credits key:

AC = Authors Collection

BBGB = Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue, Roger D. Hunt Collection

G & B = www.generalsandbrevets.com

GPL = Pennsylvania Room, Guthrie (Hanover) Public Library

GRMICHPL = Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan

LOC = Library of Congress

NA = National Archives

A project such as this one cannot be completed without the expertise and help of many talented people. Enough individuals were a part of this endeavor that my greatest concern is leaving someone deserving of thanks out of this list. The first credit must be given to the veterans themselves, especially Charles B. Thomas of the 5th New York Cavalry. In a postwar speech, Thomas used the adjectives sudden and strong to describe his regiments counterattack in the center of Hanover. I believe his words also provide an accurate description for several different phases of the battle, and decided to use his account for the title of this book.

Thanks and acknowledgements must go to the staffs at the following locations for their help:

National Archives

United States Army Military History Institute

Pennsylvania State Archives

Pennsylvania State Library

Maryland State Archives

Adams County Historical Society

York County Historical Society and Heritage Trust

York County Archives

Gettysburg National Military Park Library

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Library

Pennsylvania Room, Guthrie (Hanover) Public Library

Hanover Area Historical Society

Particular mention should be given to the following individuals: At the Adams County Historical Society, Tim Smith and Randy Miller provided much assistance over the years and Larry Bolin kindly shared his knowledge on the Schwartz Schoolhouse area. My gratitude is also extended to Scott Hartwig and John Heiser of the Gettysburg National Military Park Library. All were of great help in directing me to sources of information. I cannot give enough thanks to John McGrew and Wendy Bish McGrew of the Pennsylvania Room at the Guthrie (Hanover) Public Library. John and Wendy made several suggestions and corrections on the part of the text concerning the Hanover Borough history, and directed me to numerous accounts that I would not have found on my own. John was also kind enough to scan some historical photos from the collection at the Pennsylvania Room and copied sections of the 1860 York County map for my use.

Certain individuals were gracious in providing specific accounts. Sincere gratitude is extended to Mr. J. Marshall Neathery, Rolesville, N. C. for providing the article from the Raleigh News and Observer, and to Wayne Motts of the Adams County Historical Society for putting me in touch with Mr. Neathery. A very big thanks to Mark Stowe of Grand Rapids, Michigan and the David Van Dyke family of Nappanee, Indiana. Mark provided a copy of his history on Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry, plus some fascinating letters of the soldiers of that regiment. Mark also contacted the Van Dyke family, who graciously allowed me to use the Daniel Powers letter. I am also in debt to Eloise Haven of Grand Rapids, Michigan for providing her manuscript of the letters of Allen Pease. All the above accounts were of great value to my research.

Much thanks must also go to Peter and Sharon Sheppard for all their interest and support, especially their input on the Gitts Mill area. Because of their kindness I have been able to hike and make fascinating discoveries on tracts of land where significant troop movements took place, areas that are almost completely unknown except to a few individuals who have lived in the area. I must also give credit to Bob Resig for his interest and dedication to local Civil War history. Bobs dedication, among others, was one of the main factors in the creation of the Hanover wayside markers and walking tour, and his hard work served as an inspiration throughout my own project. Thanks also goes to Mr. G. Thomas LeGore for kindly sharing his extensive knowledge concerning the Maryland areas of Westminster and Union Mills. Concerning the text of this project, credit must be extended to Cheryl Sobun, who edited the narrative and endnote sections. Thanks to her expertise, many punctuation and spelling errers [sic] were eliminated. Any remaining mistakes in those sections are due to my failure to insert her corrections.

As a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide, I come in contact with people from all over the world with an intense interest in the Civil War. I also get to work daily with Guides and Park Rangers who have given programs on many battlefields, and whose interpretive skills are among the most impressive in the historical field. The collective level of historical knowledge among the Guides and Rangers is staggering and one of the greatest aspects of it all is that I never stop learning. Several Licensed Guides, however, need to be singled out in this instance: Sue Boardman was kind enough to provide accounts of the 147th Pennsylvania. Ill bet Sue never thought I would be able to get information about her favorite infantry regiment into a book on a cavalry engagement, but I did it. Meanwhile, Gary Kross directed my attention to the powerful description by Charles Adams of the hardships endured by cavalrymen. On several occasions, Andie Custer and Mike Phipps offered valuable insight on various aspects of the cavalry movements during the campaign. I must also thank Louise Arnold-Friend for her advice and help on using the resources at the United States Army Military History Institute. Mike Kanazawich is another who should be noted for making suggestions on parts of the text. Thanks to all of them.

Some other Guides deserve even more special mention. Larry Wallace has given programs and tours on Hanover for many years, and has an outstanding wealth of information and expertise on the battle. The time he spent in looking over my manuscript and offering insights and suggestions is much appreciated. Dave Weaver deserves tremendous thanks and applause for his art work and map skills. (With the exception of the maps for Union Township, Schwartz Schoolhouse area, and Stuarts withdrawal, the base maps for this project were hand drawn by Dave. After that point, I personally inserted troop positions, etc. Any errors on the maps are my own.) Daves attention to detail has been apparent on several occasions, including the maps he created for Licensed Guide seminars and field programs. A huge thanks must go to another Licensed Guide, Dave Richards, for much encouragement and advice, especially on all those research trips to the National Archives. D. R. also must be credited for sharing his computer knowledge; I dont think I would have been able to complete the project without his technical expertise. But possibly my biggest thanks of all, especially concerning research, must go to Tim Smith and Jim Clouse. Tim and Jim have directed me to so many different primary accounts and sources of information over the last several years that I cannot begin to count them all. Their expertise on research methods is almost unreal, and they were always quick to share their knowledge. Both also examined my writing in detail and offered several excellent suggestions for greater historical accuracy.