LIFESTYLE

Civil War authors to add to weekend

Staff Writer

Echo Pilot

Eric Wittenberg is the author of the biography of Ulric Dahlgren, Like a Meteor Burning Brightly: The Short But Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren. Wittenberg’s book covers Dahlgren’s brief and tragic military career. This includes his exploits in the Gettysburg Campaign, including Dahlgren’s forays to Greencastle on July 2 and 4, 1863. The July 2 raid yielded important documents captured from the Confederates. Wittenberg’s book also talks about Dahlgren being wounded in Hagerstown a few days later - a wound that cost him a leg, and his controversial raid on Richmond later in the war, which cost Dahlgren his life and more. For more information on Greencastle-Antrim’s kickoff of the PA Civil War 150th, April 7 – 10 and for days, dates, times, and locations for the Civil author book signings, please visit www.greencastlemuseum.org or call the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce at 717-597-4610.

Greencastle-Antrim’s kickoff of the PA Civil War 150th, April 7 – 10, will include a book signing opportunity to meet and talk to six authors of Civil War books. Book signings are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, on the square and in the barn on the property of Allison-Antrim Museum, 365 S. Ridge Ave., Greencastle.

Dennis Frye, chief historian at Harpers Ferry, has written Antietam Revealed, the first printing of which sold out within two weeks. Justin Mahue, Washington County, Md., was given access to the Civil War letters of John Brendel, a Pennsylvania volunteer in the Civil War. Brendel was a prolific letter writer. Mahue’s book based upon the Brendel letters is A Civil War Journey, The Letters of John Brendel. Scott Mingus Sr. of York, has written six Civil War era books. They are: Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863; Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign; Gettysburg Glimpses: True Stories from the Battlefield; The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign, June-July 1863; Human Interest Stories from Antietam; Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign - Volume Two. Bill Spigler, Waynesboro, is the publisher of Five Hundred Days in Rebel Prisons, a Civil War150th anniversary edition of this out-of-print book. Frederick in the Civil War was written by John Schildt.

Eric Wittenberg, Ohio, wrote the book Like a Meteor Blazing Brightly, The Short but Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, a biography of the life of Col. Ulric Dahlgren. On Saturday, April 9, the 2 p.m. “Skirmish on the Square” will reenact Dahlgren’s first entrance into Greencastle on July 2, 1863. Dahlgren, with a small contingent of 10 men, secreted themselves in the southeast corner of the square and lay in wait for a group of Confederates as they entered the square from South Carlisle Street. Gunfire erupted and a skirmish of several minutes ensued with the Union soldiers becoming the victors. Confiscated from a valise was a message from the high command in Richmond to Gen. Robert E. Lee, informing him that no more troops would be sent to back him up at Gettysburg. Instead of Lee reading the message, it was in the hands of Gen. Meade by late evening of the same day. Was the skirmish on the square in Greencastle and the captured message meant for Lee the impetus behind the turning point in the Battle of Gettysburg?

The events on April 9 and 10 are being sponsored by the Borough of Greencastle and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.

For a complete listing of the book signings on Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, the locations, and times, please visit www.greencastlemuseum.org or call the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce at 717-597-4610.