Burning of Chambersburg
Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Over this road Gen. John McCausland's Confederate cavalry marched north on July 29, 1864. By way of Mercersburg, they reached and burned Chambersburg next morning, and were at McConnellsburg next night.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Along this road on July 29, 1864, Gen. John McCausland's Confederate cavalry rode north through Franklin County. Passing by way of Mercersburg, they reached Chambersburg the next morning and burned it, then pressed on to McConnellsburg by that night. The raid traced a swift, punishing arc across south-central Pennsylvania in the war's final year.
Why it matters
It follows the path of the raid that led to the only major Northern town burned by Confederates, showing how the Civil War's cavalry campaigns swept across the Pennsylvania countryside.
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Related people
- · John McCausland
Related events
- · Burning of Chambersburg
Themes & tags
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