Read Before Historical Meeting of the Hamilton Library Association, Carlisle, Pa., November V. 1902, and Reprinted for the Historical Department.
From all sources obtainable it is generally conceded that Lees' objective point when he attempted the invasion of Pennsylvania was Philadelphia, though he expected to give battle before reaching this point.
To his second corps under Genl. Ewell was assigned the advance and it is to a sub-division of this corps which occupied Carlisle your attention is invited. This corps on leaving Fredericksburg comprised the following troops:
First division, Major Genl. Jubal A. Early containing the brigades of Brig. Genl's H. T. Hays (Lousiana troops); Jno. B. Gordon (Georgia troops); Wm. Smith (Virginia troops), and O. E. Hoke (North Carolina troops), temporarily commanded by Col. J. E Avery of the 6th North Carolina. To this division was attached Lieut. Col. H. P. Jones' battalion of light artillery.
Second division Major Genl. Edward Johnston, containing the brigades of Genl’s Geo. H. Stuart (Virginia and North Carolina troops); James A. Walker (Stonewall, Virginia troops); John M. Jones (Virginia troops), and F. T. Nichols (Lousiana troops), temporarily command-ed by Col. J. M. Williams of the 2d Alabama Regiment. To this division was attached Lieut. Col, R. Snowden Andrews' battallion of light artillery.
Third division Genl. Robert E. Hodes containing the brigades of Genl’s James Daniel (North Carolina troops); George Dole (Georgia troops); A. Iverson and S. D. Ramseur (North Carolina troops), and Rodes (Alabama troops), commanded by Col. Edward A. O'Neal of the 26th Alabama regiment. To this division was attached Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Carter 's battallion of light artillery.
Lieut. Col. Nelson's battallion and five batteries of the 1st Virginia artillery under Col. J. Thompson Brown acting as chief of artillery formed the artillery reserve of the corps.
This corps reached Culpepper on the 7th of June and on the 9th moved to the sup-port of Stuart at Brandy Station, who was engaged in a stubborn fight with the Federal cavalry. On the 10th it marched by way of Gains' cross-roads and reached Cederville on the 12th. On the 13th it attacked Milroy at Winchester, continued the fight on the 14th, and on the morning of the 15th routed Milroy and sent him in the direction of Harper's Ferry with a loss of 2,500 men. On the 15th Road's division crossed the Potomac near Williamsport and on the 19th reached Hagerstown, On the 18th Johnston crossed Boteler's ford to Sharpsburg and encamped on the battlefield of Sharpsburg. Early moved to Shepherdstown. In these positions they remained until the 21st when Genl. Ewell received orders from Genl. Lee to take Harrisburg. On the morning of the 22d Hodes and Johnston marched towards Greencastle, Jenkins occupied Chambersburg and Early crossed the river at Shepherdstown and moved by Boonsborough to Cavetown. A halt was made at Chambersburg to secure supplies and afford the troops some rest, when the march was taken up for Carlisle. Before leaving Chambersburg, however, Early's division was detached and sent through Adams County by way of Gettysburg to Wrightsville and York. On reaching Shippensburg, Johnston's division was sent down the Harrisburg pike, whilst Ewell with Roades' division took the Walnut Bottom road preceded by Jenkins' cavalry which reached Carlisle on the morning of the 27th. This brigade consisted of the 14th, 16th and 18th Virginia regiments and the 34th and 36th Virginia battallions. On entering the town Jenkins made a requisition for 1500 rations which were supplied.
Stated Meetings in the Library Building, October 1906.– April 1907. Friday, October 19th, 7.30 P. M. Indian Training School, its Origin, its Progress, and the Difficulties Surmounted. Paper by General R. H. Pratt.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, James Colwell and his wife Ann were living in Carlisle, Pa.