The Shelling of Carlisle: July 1, 1863

On June 27, 1863, Confederate General Richard S. Ewell stopped at Carlisle for supplies, forage, and food before moving towards Harrisburg. A few days later, Confederate General Jeb Stuart and his cavalry forces arrived near Carlisle looking for Ewell’s troops.  Instead found General William F. “Baldy” Smith’s 32^nd and 33^rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia and 1st New York Cavalry.  After Smith’s refusal to surrender, Stuart authorized Maj. General Fitzhugh Lee to start firing on the town late in the evening on July 1.  Lee’s artillery fired about 80 shells into Carlisle, stirring up the militia and townspeople but causing minimal injuries to both civilians and soldiers.  Shots landed in many places including one at the Courthouse and two on the street wall of the First Presbyterian Church. Around midnight, Stuart received a message from General Robert E. Lee stating that the army was in battle at Gettysburg and to call off the action in Carlisle.  Before leaving, Fitzhugh Lee burned a lumberyard and set fire to the Carlisle Barracks.

Harper’s Weekly Magazine issued on July 25, 1863, provides a clear outline of the happenings by the locals in Carlisle and a sketch of  Main Street or present day High Street by Thomas Nast. The sketch shows the Rebels shelling women and children as well as the New York militia, putting the town into immense chaos.