Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863

by Scott L. Mingus Sr.

An in-depth look at a Confederate general and the first blood spilled at Gettysburg, with maps, photos, and a guide to historic sites.

This book examines the key role played by one division of Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell's Second Corps during the final days in June 1863. It is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that helped shape the course of the Gettysburg Campaign.

In two powerful columns, Ewell's Corps swept toward the strategically important Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania capital looming beyond. Fear coursed through the local populace while Washington and Harrisburg scrambled to meet the threat. One of Ewell's columns included a veteran division under Jubal Early, whose objectives included the capture and ransom of towns such as Gettysburg and York and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover Junction rail yard.

Early planned to seize the Columbia Bridge, which spanned the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia. Capturing the longest covered bridge in the world would allow the division to cross into prosperous Lancaster County and move against the capital in Harrisburg.

Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates Early's drama-filled expedition, including key Southern decisions, the response of the Pennsylvania militiamen and civilians who opposed the Confederates, and the burning of the Columbia Bridge. It also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in the book. Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps by cartographer Steven Stanley, this fast-paced and gracefully written history is a welcome and important addition to the Gettysburg literature.

Genres: Civil War, American Civil War, History, Gettysburg Campaign, Civil War Eastern Theater

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Scott L. Mingus, Sr. is an author, tour guide, multiple award-winning miniature wargamer, patented scientist, and history buff based near York, Pennsylvania.

Blog at http://scottmingus.wordpress.com/scot...

Reviews

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of eras of history that doesn't get a lot of coverage in books. The events described here is one of the reasons why the Battle of Gettysburg happened and Confederate forces didn't advance onto Washington, DC.

It tells of the defense of the York,PA area by Union forces that were thrown together and who their commanders were. It's a great read especially when your name is in the acknowledgments.

I've written to Scott over the last few years. I was hoping to meet him when I was actually in PA but never did. The e-mails exchanged, and his blog, makes him truly a source of information about the York area during the Civil War.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping and nuanced account of Lieutenant General Richard Ewell's Confederate army movements around Gettysburg—a very essential though oft-neglected aspect the whole Gettysburg campaign. Scott Mingus is a talented author and obviously also an adept reseacher and produced a first-rate book; it's a Savas Beatie publication so the publishing and design values are top-notch, too. Savas Beatie is quickly becoming one of the foremost publishers of serious, battle-specifc books of military history of the Civil War. The rather specific nature of this book will make it only of great interest to serious Civil War scholars and fans of all things Gettysburg, but it's great at explaining an aspect of Gettysburg that few other authors have even addressed.

[Francis X DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book about the efforts to defend Pennsylvania east of Gettysburg prior to the decisive battle. Lee sent a detachment of troops toward Harrisburg, the state capital, to cut vital rail lines running south toward Baltimore. This would stop northern supplies and troops from going to Washington and from there to the Army of the Potomac. Pennsylvania’s Governor Curtin tried to assemble militia and invalided/retired active duty troops to stop the invasion. Underarmed and undermanned, these men built defensive fortifications and deployed troops to defend the state. Unfortunately when confronted by Lee’s veterans they usually made a strategic withdrawal and many of the cities surrendered to the rebel army without a fight. The only thing that stopped the invaders was the Susquehanna River and the burning of the primary bridge by the defenders. Before another crossing could be attempted, Lee called back his troops to fight in the battle at Gettysburg.

[JEROME J KARWACKI · Rating 5 out of 5]

MINGUS is THE man to go to for Pennsylvania Civil War history, hands down. I read this looking for information on the 'true' plan that RE Lee had in invading the north-- it certainly wasn't Gettysburg! Mingus' work filled in some of the blanks in my understanding of this epic event.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprising "local" history written by an historian with whom I've had the pleasure of touring with, Scott Mingus, Sr.
What is surprising is the number of residents of Adams, Franklin, York & Lancaster counties with Southern sympathies and a reluctance to turn out in the defense of their own property and homes. It seems the women were the only ones with any guts. On the other hand was the turnout of the "coloreds" who willingly dug fortifications and took up the musket when called upon. A number of blacks from Columbia, PA actually enrolled and served in the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Some of those veterans are buried in a small cemetery in Columbia which I had the honor of visiting.
The only remains of the Columbia bridge that was burned to prevent the Confederate advance are the piers in the Susquehanna River. They can be seen as you go over the modern viaduct on Route 30. But keep your eyes on the road...

[Zach M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flames Beyond Gettysburg walks you through the Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River with such descriptive detail and clear vantage points that I found myself impressed with the writing and research on every page.

I have never been greatly interested in the smaller details of the Civil War. With that said, the best endorsement I can give this book is that it has sparked my interest and desire to learn more about it.

[Robert Lackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Mingus takes you into the history. The book has a surprising amount of "show versus tell", uncommon for history books. It reads like a novel. For me, it is a must-have partner to Jubal Early's own book. Most small communities are overlooked in the "big" history of the civil war, with the exception of Gettysburg and Fredericksburg. Scott shines deserved light on Wrightsville and Columbia, and appropriately widens the curtain of the drama known as Gettysburg.

[Susan E. Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

The book was rich in details but presented in a way that kept your interest. Living in the heart of this area, I had no trouble visualizing the events, places, and people. I also learned something new-the bridge was burned by the Union, not the Confederates. An enjoyable read.

[roy leath jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flames Beyond Gettysburg: A must read for anyone interested in the Gettysburg campaign

I've read many books on the battle of Gettysburg but this insightful look into the events leading up to the battle itself was fascinating and I thought well written and researched. I highly recommend this book!

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study of this small section of the Gettysburg Campaign. It's interesting to think what could have happened if Early's division had made it across the Susquehanna before Lee's recall order reached him.

[Patrick Fero]

I live in the area described in the book. Eye-opening history but a good read even if one doesn't live in the area.