The 1863 shelling of Carlisle during the American Civil War left indelible marks on some of the town's buildings. It crystallized into stories passed down in family histories. Its presentation in print was a fascination for local residents who relished the collection of facts and opinions in their newspapers. A piece in the Carlisle American gave the popular opinion that the Confederate leader in charge of the shelling, Major General Fitzhugh Lee, was "the dastard ... not only lost to pity but destitute of humanity". Thirty-three years after the shelling, the marks left by artillery remained and the family stories acquired the polish of many retellings. But the "dastard" of 1863 was welcomed back and celebrated during his return visit to Carlisle. Bitter feelings were replaced with common respect and the forward-looking spirit of togetherness. Where did this spirit originate? How could popular opinion about the shelling and its chosen villain change so completely? The story of Fitzhugh Lee's return to Carlisle and the opinions of local citizens on this event reflected the national mood as America was coming to terms with its civil war. The wounds of the Civil War could not simply be healed by the official policies of Reconstruction. The mental and emotional reunification of American citizens had to be accomplished by a popular effort towards reconciliation.
The shelling of Carlisle in 1863 was the Confederates' last stop before heading to the battle at Gettysburg. On July 1st, Major General J. E. B. Stuart and three brigades of cavalry stopped to demand supplies and the surrender of the town; they were the second group of Confederates to do so in a matter of days. When Carlisle, then under the command of General William F. Smith, refused to concede, Stuart directed his subordinate, Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, to attack. The Confederates kept up their bombardment until Stuart was called away to join the majority of the Southern Army gathering around Gettysburg. Once the invading troops retreated, the town's anger about the shelling was directed at Lee, who the Carlisle Herald declared to be "immortalized by his brave attack upon the defenseless women and children of a town where he had in past days been treated with the civility and courtesy which his dastardly conduct has shown him so undeserving."
The Herald was not exaggerating that Carlisle had, in fact, welcomed Fitzhugh Lee with civility and courtesy only a few years prior. Dickinson College and the School of Cavalry Practice at the Carlisle Barracks attracted many future leaders from both the North and South. Virginia native Fitzhugh Lee knew Carlisle from his term as a cavalry instructor at the Barracks in 1856-1858. He enjoyed his stay and the social life of the town. In an 1882 letter to a citizen of Carlisle, Lee wrote,
Now I have only time to say that it was with much regret that I proceeded with hostile intent against Carlisle. My first military service after graduating West Point was there. I knew and had received the hospitalities of most of its citizens. I had warm & earnest & good friends among its inhabitants. Some of the most pleasant days of my life was passed in the hospitable homes of her people - but war - horrid war - was raging then between them & those with me & my paths & their paths had separated.
The dashing cavalry instructor who was so warmly welcomed by the town made bitter enemies when he returned with Confederate cavalry in 1863. How, then, could attitudes have changed so much as to welcome him back in the 1890s? The answer to this question depends on the aftermath of the Civil War and how the United States was able to recover from this great division.
In 2008, the daughters of John S. Steckbeck donated his research collection to the Cumberland County Historical Society. Steckbeck was a professor of physical education at Dickinson College from 1946-1955. He was also a backfield coach, track coach, swim coach, and a trainer for the college. When he was not busy with sporting events, he spent his time with music.
Captain William E. Miller was one of the few Cumberland County residents who won the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. However, Miller may be the most distinctive honoree for winning his medal by going against his orders. Miller was born to a farming family in West Hill, Cumberland County, one mile west of Plainfield in West Pennsboro Township. As a young man, Miller ran his father’s farm and was establishing a small family of his own, when his life was interrupted by the call to war in 1861.