Carlisle, Pennsylvania

The original Cumberland County courthouse rose on this spot in 1766. After an arsonist burned it in 1845 this building, fronted by sandstone columns, replaced it.

On June 27, 1863, a dusty column of 15,000 rebels led by General Richard Ewell marched up
the road from Shippensburg into Carlisle. Foraging for supplies, they camped here until Tuesday,
June 30. They departed that day, headed towards Mount Holley Springs. Other than the ample
provisions they had taken, they left the community unscathed.

The next day, July 1, the townspeople cheered the arrival of Major General William Smith’s four
regiments of Federal militiamen, but their joy was short-lived. Late that afternoon, Major General

J.E.B. Stuart and 3,500 rebel cavalrymen appeared at the intersection of York and Trindle roads.
The rebels unlimbered their artillery, demanded the surrender of the town, and threatened to burn
it. General Smith refused, the artillerymen let fly, and townspeople and militiamen alike scattered
for shelter. Over the next few hours, shells struck the columns of the courthouse, blew holes in the
Presbyterian and Episcopal churches, damaged numerous other properties, and wounded a few
unlucky souls near the square, including twelve militiamen. After setting fire to the U.S. Army’s
Carlisle Barracks, Stuart’s men disappeared to the south, ordered to Gettysburg. The threat had
ended. Although most of the damage done by the rebel shells was long ago repaired, scars can still be seen here on the facade of the Old Court House. You can still see where a pillar was chipped and bricks
were broken by flying shrapnel.