JUNE 26, 1863 - Confederate Gen. Jubal Early marches his division to Gettysburg, burning the Caledonia Ironworks along the way. The Confederates have destroyed little private property, but the irascible Early makes an exception in the case of the ironworks, which belong to radical abolitionist Republican Thaddeus Stevens.
The Rebels also seize any horses or other supplies of military value, paying the frightened Gettysburg civilians with worthless Confederate scrip. Many will later file damage claims with the federal government. A unit of Rebel cavalry known as the Comanches, led by Elijah V.
South of Gettysburg, two militia troopers of the 21st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Nathaniel Lightner and George Washington Sandoe, encounter a column of Confederates on the Baltimore Pike near McAllister's Mill. The horsemen turn to flee, but Sandoe's horse loses his footing. As the private tries to flee, he is shot in the head and killed by a Confederate. A Gettysburg native in uniform just three days, Sandoe is considered the first Union soldier killed at Gettysburg. Today a monument to the 21st and Sandoe marks the spot.
Coming June 27: New Yorkers to the rescue.
Roads North is a day-by-day series by Evening Sun editor Marc Charisse, email@example.com. Track the whole series, and learn all about local Civil War history, at the Roads North page on eveningsun.com.