Valley of the Shadow

Virginia

Pennsylvania

1859

1860

1861

1862

1863

Jan
  • National

    Lincoln ordered Confederate churches behind federal lines given protection against interference by the military in their internal affairs.

01 Jan
  • National

    Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in AR, AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA, & LA. Confederates captured Galveston, TX.

06 Jan

  • Hiram Keyser of Franklin elected 1 of 4 transcribing clerks in the PA legslature.

    Franklin County, PA

08 Jan

  • Friendship Fire Co. passed a resolution commemorating the loss of their colleague R. B. Fisher in combat.

    Franklin County, PA

11 Jan

  • Col. Imboden thanked Augusta citizens and the Aid Society of Fishersville for donated items.

    Augusta County, VA

12 Jan

  • Augusta slaves worked on the fortifications at Drewry's Bluff.

    Augusta County, VA

13 Jan

  • All men between the ages of 18 & 45 ordered to report to Staunton for examination.

    Augusta County, VA

  • PA legislature elected Democrat Charles R. Buckalew to the U.S. Senate.

    Pennsylvania

Jan

  • Union Brethren Church held a series of revivals.

    Franklin County, PA

20 Jan

  • Spectator reported only 49 marriage licenses issued in Augusta in 1862, far fewer than in 1861. During 1862, 1102 people imprisoned for misdemeanors; 49 for felonies; 25 for running away from their masters; 2 for kidnapping; and 2 for murder.

    Augusta County, VA

21 Jan

  • Lt. E. N. Ford of the Provost Guard in Chambersburg was shot & killed in an attempt to arrest a deserter in Fulton County.

    Franklin County, PA

26 Jan

  • Capt. S. R. McKesson & the noncommissioned officers for recruiting business left Chambersburg to rejoint the 77th PA.

    Franklin County, PA

27 Jan

  • A German family resisted a fire co.'s attempt to take water from a nearby cistern to save Nicolas Uglo's stable.

    Franklin County, PA

Feb

  • 158th PA sent to Newbern, NC. Col. McClure resigned his commission as Asst. Adjutant General in protest of the constant charges in command of the Army of the Potomac.

    Franklin County, PA

02 Feb
  • National

    House of Representatives passed a bill providing for the employment of black soldiers.

03 Feb

  • Spectator complained Gen. Jones did not do enough to protect the people of the lower Valley, despite the fact that he had more men & artillery than Gen. Milroy.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Richmond Whig raised questions about Col. M. G. Harman's alleged unethical conduct as quartermaster.

    Virginia

  • National

    Department of the East created.

04 Feb
  • National

    Confederate Gen. Magruder declared Port Galveston, TX open to the commerce of the world.

09 Feb

  • Chambersburg Female Seminary began its spring session.

    Franklin County, PA

11 Feb
  • National

    Confederates attempted to assassinate Gen. Banks in New Orleans, LA.

12 Feb

  • The Wesley Church, a black congregation near Chambersburg, sponsored 2 days of public entertainment.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    US Senate passed the National Currency Bill. Jefferson Davis suggested the Confederate Congress adopt retaliatory measures against the operation of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Feb

  • Capt. S. Brownson of Mercersburg promoted to Maj. of Company C, 126th PA.

    Franklin County, PA

16 Feb
  • National

    US Senate passed the Conscription Bill.

18 Feb

  • 4 Chambersburg men died either from wounds or illness received thus far in the war.

    Franklin County, PA

20 Feb

  • Vindicator resumed publication. Col. Harman appealed to Augusta for socks and information regarding members of the regiment who were AWOL.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Lt. William Burgess of the 6th PA released on parole from a Confederate prison in Richmond & allowed to visit his Franklin family.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    National Currency Bill passed the US House of Representatives.

21 Feb
  • National

    Gen. Fitz-John Porter dismissed from U.S. service having been adjudged under the 9th & 52nd Articles of War.

24 Feb
  • National

    Territory of AZ formed from the Territory of NM.

25 Feb
  • National

    Congress passed the National Banking Act, providing for a system of national banks. National Currency law secured by U.S. bonds passed and approved.New Exemption Bill passed by the Confederate Senate.

26 Feb
  • National

    Mr. Foote offered peace resolutions in the Confederate Congress.

27 Feb
28 Feb
  • National

    Confederate war steamer Nashville destroyed in the Ogeechee River, GA, by the Montauk.

Mar

  • Atlantic & OH Telegraph Co. began construction of a 2nd line between Chambersburg & Harrisburg.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Mar

  • Franklin received 12 to 14 inches of snow.

    Franklin County, PA

02 Mar
  • National

    Congress authorized a railway gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches for the track width of the Union Pacific Railroad.

03 Mar

  • Spectator complained that the Confederate military had been impressing food supplies at prices greatly below market value.

    Augusta County, VA

  • The War Department informed all men who are liable to conscription that if they come forward & volunteer for service, they are eligible for a $50 bounty & furlough.

    Virginia

  • National

    Territory of ID created. First US Conspriction Act in the nation's history passed. Congress initiated free delivery of mail in cities. Congress resolved to suppress the rebellion, rather than attempt mediation. Congress authorized a $900,000,000 loan for 1863-1865.

06 Mar
  • National

    Gen. Hunter ordered the drafting of blacks for federal service in the Department of the South.

10 Mar

  • A concert at the VA Female Institute netted $325 for the relief of Fredericksburg. A concert by the Staunton 5th VA Regiment band raised $400 for the soldiers' families. Spectator implored farmers to plant corn & "renounce cotton & tobacco."

    Augusta County, VA

14 Mar

  • Democrats of Green Township met to select candidates for the township election.

    Franklin County, PA

17 Mar

  • Engagement at Rappahannock Station & Kelly's Ford, VA.

    Virginia

18 Mar

  • South Ward Democrats met to select a ticket for the spring election.

    Franklin County, PA

21 Mar

  • Lurgan School District Teacher's Institute met in the Roxbury schoolroom.

    Franklin County, PA

25 Mar
  • National

    Impressments of private property, including slaves, in the Confederate States authorized.

27 Mar
  • National

    President Davis proclaimed March 27th as a day of fasting, humiliation, & prayer.

28 Mar

  • A valuable horse belonging to John Funk stolen from the shed in Kurtz's yard. A new Provost Guard arrived in Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    The first African-American regiment from the northern states left Boston, MA.

Mar

  • Three Franklin men who were taken as political prisoners during the raid of Stewart's Cavalry were released from Libby Prison in Richmond, VA.

    Franklin County, PA

Apr

  • John Forney put on trial for the murder of Lt. Ford of the Provost Guard.

    Franklin County, PA

02 Apr

  • Spectator reported that a band of robbers attempted to rob Richmond stores in broad daylight, but denied that the riot stemmed from want.

    Virginia

03 Apr

  • Howe Y. Peyton announced his candidacy for the House of Delegates. Vindicator published an editorial complaining of the general filth of Chambersburg.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Bread riots in Richmond.

    Virginia

04 Apr

  • 4 slaves ran away from William J. Shumate.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Public meeting produced a petition asking the legislature to pass a law forcing the railroad co. to bridge the Waynesboro Cut.

    Franklin County, PA

07 Apr

  • Spectator complained that Southerners were preying upon each other.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Confederates evacuated Island Number 10 in the Mississippi River.

11 Apr

  • Member of the 25th & 31st VA Regiment became drunk & rowdy as they passed through Staunton, & were subsequently placed in the guardhouse.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Richard Simpson, a bound boy belonging to Adam Piper, ran away from Concord Township.

    Franklin County, PA

13 Apr

  • Presbyterian Sabbath School held an anniversary. Democratic county committee met & selected a delegate to the Democratic state convention.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Gen. Burnside ordered the death penalty for aiding Confederates.

14 Apr

  • William Bullock of PA patented a continuous-roll printing press.

    Pennsylvania

Apr

  • Edward McPherson of Franklin was nominated Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

    Franklin County, PA

17 Apr
  • National

    Grierson's Raid began.

22 Apr

  • Sanford's Ethiopian Opera Troupe performed at Franklin Hall.

    Franklin County, PA

23 Apr
24 Apr

  • Governor Letcher announced his candidacy for representative from his old district in the next Congress.

    Virginia

25 Apr

  • Meeting held at the courthouse to establish a Democratic club opposed to the party in power. Series of altercations occurred between Chambersburg residents & members of the Provost Guard.

    Franklin County, PA

26 Apr

  • 33 new communicants received by the Lutheran Church of Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

27 Apr

  • 40 to 50 black recruits left for MA to join a new regiment being formed there.

    Franklin County, PA

30 Apr

  • Franklin residents observed the national day of humiliation, fasting, & prayer.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Day of fasting in the U.S.

Apr

  • Bill legalizing the payment of bounties to volunteers passed both houses. PA Senate voted to reduce the pay of the state militia.

    Pennsylvania

May

  • Ladies Aid Society of Chambersburg became an official auxiliary to the Philadelphia agency of the U.S. Sanitary Commission.

    Franklin County, PA

01 May

  • Battle of Chancellorsville, in Spotsylvania County, VA began: Gen. Lee defeated Gen. Hooker.

    Virginia

  • National

    Battle of Port Gibson, MS.

02 May

  • 9 members of the 5th VA Infantry killed & 111 wounded during the Battle of Chancellorsville.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Gen. Jackson & his men mistaken for Union soldiers & fired on by their own forces. Gen. Jackson shot in the left arm.

    Virginia

  • 81 members of the 126th PA reported killed or wounded during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Chambersburg Academy students gave a concert in Franklin Hall. Democrats of Washington Township met to establish a Democratic club.

    Franklin County, PA

03 May

  • 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg, VA: Gen. Sedgewick & the Union forces defeated Gen. Lee & the Confederate forces.

    Virginia

  • National

    Confederates abandoned Grand Gulf, below Vicksburg, MS.

04 May

  • Chambersburg borough elections held. Chambersburg Academy students gave a 2nd concert in Franklin Hall.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    By orders of Gen. Burnside, Clement L. Vallandingham arrested at Dayton, OH for alleged treasonable utterances.

05 May

  • Vindicator supported Baldwin, the former Whig. Spectator supported Letcher, the former Democrat.

    Augusta County, VA

10 May
  • National

    Gen. Jackson died.

12 May

  • Spectator questioned Col. Harman for giving his wife a silver set that had been captured.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Franklin Farmers & Mechanics Association met to elect officers.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Battle of Raymond, MS.

14 May

  • Members of the 126th PA arrived back in Franklin.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Gen. Grant occupied Jackson, MS.

15 May
  • National

    Corbin & Gran hanged at Sandusky for recruiting within the Union lines.

May

  • David Lawson of Montgomery Township arrested for treason & sent over the lines.

    Franklin County, PA

  • Frederick Douglass gave a speech in Philadelphia calling for blacks to be accepted into the "American family."

    Pennsylvania

16 May

  • 3 slaves ran away from their owner's home on the South River near Stuart's Draft.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Battle of Champion Hills, MS.

17 May
  • National

    Battle of Big Black River, MS.

18 May
  • National

    Confederates retired as the siege began within the defenses at Vicksburg, MS.

19 May

  • Two prisoners broke out of the county jail.

    Franklin County, PA

20 May

  • Teachers' Association of Franklin held its 7th semi-annual convention.

    Franklin County, PA

21 May

  • Col. Harman takes exception to the Spectator's comments about the silver set & beats Mr. Mauzy, the Spectator's editor, senseless.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    U.S. forces began an assault on the Vicksburg works.

22 May

  • Vindicator called for women of Augusta to return to the Staunton hospital to treat wounded soldiers.

    Augusta County, VA

23 May

  • Stockholders of the gas co. met to determine what could be done about the lack of gas in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

25 May

  • 33 members of the Union League paraded through Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

27 May

  • Valley Spirit editors called for Democrats to organize against the Loyal Leagues being formed in the county.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Gen. Banks unsuccessfully assaulted Confederate works at Port Hudson.

28 May
  • National

    1st Northern African-American regiment, the 44th MA, departed for Hilton Head, SC.

29 May
  • National

    Gen. Burnside ordered the suppression of the Chicago Times because of its violently anti-Lincoln & pro-Southern opinions.

30 May

  • Democrats of Chambersburg & the surrounding area met in Franklin Hall.

    Franklin County, PA

31 May

  • German Reformed Church of Chambersburg observed the 300th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism.

    Franklin County, PA

Jun

  • John Baldwin won reelection to the Confederate Congress.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Mass meeting in Philadelphia protested the arrest of C. L. Vallandingham for treason.

    Pennsylvania

01 Jun

  • Augusta citizens created a Central Committee to devise measures for the relief of the exiles from western VA. J. F. Johnson sold three slaves in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Lincoln revoked Gen. Burside's order given 3 days earlier.

02 Jun

  • The Central Committee appointed a committee of ladies to visit exiled families from western VA as they arrived in Staunton to ascertain the needs of the refugees.

    Augusta County, VA

03 Jun

  • Valley Spirit editors complained about the frequent loud gatherings of blacks near Wallace's Corner in Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Gen. Lee began movement for the invasion of the North.

08 Jun

  • Cavalry battle at Beverly's Ford, VA.

    Virginia

  • Col. McClure & H. S. Stoner purchased the Franklin Repository & Transcript.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Departments of Monongahela & Susquehanna created.

12 Jun

  • Christian Commission met at the Lutheran Church.

    Franklin County, PA

14 Jun

  • Battle of Winchester, VA began.

    Virginia

15 Jun

  • Confederate cavalry raided Chambersburg

    Franklin County, PA

  • Confederate troops entered PA.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    Government called for 100,000 men for 6 months of service to resist the invasion of PA.

17 Jun

  • Democratic state convention in Harrisburg opened & nominated George W. Woodward for governor.

    Pennsylvania

19 Jun

  • Gen. Stuart's cavalry began to fight screening action along modern Route 50.

    Virginia

  • National

    Confederates invaded IN.

20 Jun
  • National

    WV admitted to the Union as the 35th state.

22 Jun

  • Augusta residents held a public meeting to establish a home defense.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Confederate troops occupied Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

24 Jun

  • Confederate troops began to cross the Potomac River.

    Virginia

  • Maj. Harman demanded that residents of Chambersburg provide invading Confederate troops with clothing & supplies.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Gen. Rosecrans advanced from Murfreesboro, TN against Gen. Bragg's forces at Tullahoma, TN.

26 Jun

  • Army of the Potomac crossed the Potomac River.

    Virginia

27 Jun

  • Confederate troops under Gen. Lee began the invasion of southern PA.

    Pennsylvania

  • National

    Confederates advanced within a few miles of Harrisburg, PA.

30 Jun

  • Augusta Female Seminary sponsored a concert & gave the proceeds to benefit sick & wounded soldiers.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Battle of Hanover Junction, PA.

    Pennsylvania

Jun

  • During the occupation, Confederates broke into the Columbus Lodge of Odd Fellows & cut to pieces the regalia there.

    Franklin County, PA

Jul

  • Dinner given in honor of the returned soldiers in Waynesboro. A number of Chambersburg citizens arrested by Confederates on the suspicion of spying.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Jul

  • 1st day of the Battle of Gettysburg, PA.

    Pennsylvania

02 Jul

  • Yankee prisoners taken at Upperville & Winchester arrived in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg, PA.

    Pennsylvania

03 Jul

  • The 5th VA Infantry & the 52nd VA Infantry suffered heavy losses during the Battle of Gettysburg.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Occupying rebel forces retreated from Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

  • 3rd day of the Battle of Gettysburg, PA: Pickett's Charge; Gen. Meade & defeated Gen. Lee.

    Pennsylvania

04 Jul

  • Chambersburg residents celebrated the 4th of July by raising a flag on a makeshift flagpole.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Battle of Vicksburg, MS: Confederates under Gen. Pemberton surrendered to Gen. Grant. Battle of Helena, AR.

05 Jul

  • Absalom Shetter,a farmer just outside Chambersburg, hung himself after Confederates made off with his stock & grain.

    Franklin County, PA

07 Jul
  • National

    Confederate raiders under Gen. Morgan crossed the OH River at Brandenburg, KY into IN.

08 Jul

  • Valley Spirit & Franklin Repository resumed publication.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Battle of Port Hudson, MS.

09 Jul

  • 20 prisoners who had been captured by Col. Jackson at Beverly arrived in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • A riot broke out between members of the NY militia sent to defend Chambersburg & other Union troops stationed around Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

10 Jul

  • Franklin held official 4th of July exercises. Maj. Couch arrived in Chambersburg to form an army corps for the defense of PA.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Battle of Ft. Wagner, SC began.

11 Jul

  • Telegraph line between Chambersburg & Loudon reconstructed.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Conscription under the draft began in New York City.

13 Jul

  • Governor Curtin visited Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Anti-draft riots broke out in New York City for 3 days, with nearly 1000 killed or wounded before federal troops restored order.

Jul

  • Governor Curtin called for 840 more troops from Franklin. PA militiaman stabbed by a drunk soldier in Chambersburg. Franklin unable to pay all the taxes as a result of the rebel occupation

    Franklin County, PA

15 Jul

  • Mr. Kyle & his son killed when they attempted to chisel open a shell they found.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    2nd Battle of Jackson, MS.

17 Jul

  • Col. Davidson notified Staunton that soldiers who beg for food are "skulkers" & not legitimately absent from their commands.

    Augusta County, VA

18 Jul

  • Gabriel Hirsh's store burglarized.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    U.S. troops repulsed in their assault on Ft. Wagner, Morris Island, SC.

20 Jul

  • Chambersburg Bank resumed business after hiding its assets during the Confederate raid.

    Franklin County, PA

26 Jul
  • National

    Gen. Morgan's raid in IN & OH ended.

28 Jul

  • Confederate officers impressed horses in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

30 Jul
  • National

    Lincoln issued a proclamation for the protection of African-American troops against retaliation by the Confederates.

Jul

  • George Platt of the 126th PA returned to resume his dentistry practice in Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Aug

  • Union League met to organize a reception for the 158th PA.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Jefferson Davis granted a general pardon to all AWOL Confederate soldiers, as long as they return to their posts by August 20th.

06 Aug

  • Franklin residents observed the National Day of Thanksgiving & Prayer.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    US day of National Thanksgiving observed.

08 Aug

  • County school superintendent began examining applicants for teaching positions.

    Franklin County, PA

12 Aug
  • National

    Gen. Toombs exposed the bankruptcy of the Confederacy.

Aug

  • J. K. Reid collected clothing for his nephew & other Franklin citizens in Libby Prison in Richmond, VA.

    Franklin County, PA

18 Aug

  • Spectator called for a law to prevent marriage of 1st cousins.

    Augusta County, VA

19 Aug

  • Horses reported stolen by thieves disguised as Union soldiers.

    Franklin County, PA

21 Aug
  • National

    Jefferson Davis proclaimed the 21st a day of fasting, humiliation, & prayer.

23 Aug

  • Union troops crossed the mountains at Buffalo Gap, & Confederate forces & local citizens readied themselves for an attack.

    Augusta County, VA

25 Aug

  • Spectator, citing Nostradamus, predicted the world would end in 1866. Col. Baldwin appealed to Augustans to form volunteer companies for home defense.

    Augusta County, VA

01 Sep

  • Samuel Fisher elected president of the county committee at the County Democratic Convention.

    Franklin County, PA

04 Sep

  • Slave woman ran away from her owner, Peter Hanger, Jr., near Waynesboro.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Knoxville, TN occupied by the advance forces of Gen. Burnside's command.

05 Sep

  • Staunton Town Council doubled taxes to provide for families of soldiers. Fisherville, Mint Spring, & Middlebrook organized volunteer companies for home defense.

    Augusta County, VA

07 Sep
  • National

    British government seized the Confederate rams building in the Mersey, forbidding their departure. Confederates evacuated Ft. Wagner in the night.

09 Sep

  • Soldiers in the 9th PA cavalry in TN reported to be complaining about receiving too few letters from friends & family in Franklin.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    21st Division Corps under Gen. Wood, army of the Cumberland, occupied Chattanooga, TN.

15 Sep

  • Capt. McNeill, Capt. Imboden, & Capt. Hobson brought 147 captured western VA Unionists to Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus.

Sep

  • Franklin Railroad repaired. Washington township farmers organized an association to protect against horse thieves. New telegraph line connecting Chambersburg with Philadelphia, Baltimoe, & Pittsburgh completed.

    Franklin County, PA

19 Sep
  • National

    Battle of Chickamauga, TN began.

28 Sep

  • Augusta residents agreed to tithe their produce to the government & passed resolutions to end extortion & disloyalty in the county.

    Augusta County, VA

29 Sep

  • State agricultural fair opened in Montgomery County, PA.

    Pennsylvania

02 Oct

  • State agricultural fair ended.

    Pennsylvania

03 Oct

  • Board of Enrollment of the 16th Congressional District of PA exempted 12 Franklin men from military service.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a national holiday.

14 Oct

  • Battle of Bristow Station, VA.

    Virginia

15 Oct

  • Methodist Episcopal Sabbath School gave an exhibition for the benefit of poor children in Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

17 Oct
  • National

    Lincoln called for 300,000 men for 3 years.

18 Oct

  • Constable Unger shot by John Flohr of Waynesboro while he tried to break up a riot in the schoolhouse yard.

    Franklin County, PA

20 Oct

  • Spectator reported that some farmers were skirting the price regulations.

    Augusta County, VA

21 Oct

  • Repository reported that all 3 members of the John Brown family died of a fever over the last month.

    Franklin County, PA

25 Oct

  • McClanahan's Battery shelled the retreating Union troops at Charlestown until the Confederate cavalry captured the latter.

    Augusta County, VA

28 Oct

  • Reports surfaced of Franklin men trying to evade the draft by presenting false exemption certificates.

    Franklin County, PA

29 Oct

  • Capt. Chambers, formerly of Harper's Ferry, shot & beat Capt. Sutton of Richmond, after the 2 quarreled in front of the VA Hotel.

    Augusta County, VA

Oct

  • George Yates of Mt. Sidney & a number of citizens of Rockingham County arrested on charges of helping deserters from the Confederate armies to the Yankee lines.

    Augusta County, VA

Nov

  • Franklin citizens moved from Libby Prison in Richmond, VA to a better prison in Salisbury, NC.

    Franklin County, PA

01 Nov

  • 12 new members joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Staunton during the religious revival that began amongst the soldiers in the hospital.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    A plot to liberate Confederate prisoners in OH discovered.

06 Nov

  • Near Greenbrier, a greatly outnumbered Confederate force under Gen. Echols & Col. Jackson fought heartily, but retreated in the face of a determined attack led by Gen. Kelly & Gen. Averill.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Vindicator published an excerpt from Gen. Lee's report on Gen. Imboden's latest military feat: surrounding Charlestown & capturing most of the Yankee force there.

    Virginia

07 Nov

  • Union troops under the command of Gen. Averill began to move towards Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • John Birny, an Irish teamster & Chambersburg resident, fatally kicked in the stomach by a horse.

    Franklin County, PA

09 Nov

  • In the trial of the 10 men charged with helping deserters, the men were released from prison & re-arrested & transported to Staunton for trial.

    Augusta County, VA

11 Nov

  • Franklin Teachers' Association opened meetings.

    Franklin County, PA

12 Nov

  • Near Covington, Gen. Imboden stopped Union troops under Gen. Averill who were moving towards Staunton.

    Augusta County, VA

  • William McLellan elected president of the Chambersburg Bank.

    Franklin County, PA

  • PA Supreme Court declared the Conscription Act unconstitutional.

    Pennsylvania

13 Nov

  • Home Guard units in Staunton prepared to march to the mountains to meet Gen. Averill's troops.

    Augusta County, VA

Nov

  • Capt. Eyster offered $30 reward for the apprehension of any of the 80 draft dodgers in Franklin. George Jacobs elected president of the Bank of Waynesboro. Joseph Hooker, a notorious horse thief, captured. Two horse thieves caught in Fulton County last week escaped from jail.

    Franklin County, PA

16 Nov

  • Jacob McCune of Mercersburg died of paralysis.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    Battle of Campbell's Station, TN.

18 Nov

  • 2 NJ companies stationed in Chambersburg.

    Franklin County, PA

19 Nov

  • Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at ceremonies dedicating a national cemetery in Gettysburg, PA.

    Pennsylvania

22 Nov

  • T. J. Filbert, a tailor in Waynesboro, robbed of his cloth.

    Franklin County, PA

23 Nov
  • National

    Battle of Chattanooga, TN began.

24 Nov

  • The religious revival at the Methodist Episcopalian Church in Staunton continued, with 70 new members in the last month. Spectator reported that distillers in Augusta & Rockingham counties made about 500,000 gallons of whiskey each year.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    During the Battle of Chattanooga, the Battle of Lookout Mountain, TN occurred.

25 Nov
  • National

    Battle of Chattanooga, TN ended when General Grant captured Confederate positions, but the Confederates under Gen. Bragg fled to Dalton, GA.

26 Nov

  • Dr. J. K. Reid offered to box any food Franklin residents wanted to send to starving prisoners in Southern prisons. Ladies of Mercersburg held a festival & raised $235 for sick & wounded soldiers.

    Franklin County, PA

  • National

    National Forefathers or Thanksgiving Day observed.

27 Nov

  • 5th VA Infantry fought at the Battle of Mine Run.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Battle of Mine Run, Orange County, VA began.

    Virginia

29 Nov
  • National

    Battle of Ft. Sanders, TN.

Nov

  • 7 members of Company D, 11th PA Cavalry arrived home in Franklin.

    Franklin County, PA

  • Governor Curtin sent representatives to Southern prisons to look after captured Pennsylvanians.

    Pennsylvania

01 Dec
  • National

    U.S. inventors continued to improve the stereoscope. Siege of Knoxville, TN began.

02 Dec

  • Repository editors explained how to send letters & packages to soldiers in Southern prisons. The 77th PA reported to number fewer than 200 men after experiencing significant losses at Chickamauga.

    Franklin County, PA

03 Dec
  • National

    The 4th Corp, army of Cumberland, began to reinforce Knoxville from Chattanooga, under Gen. Sherman.

07 Dec

  • Hope Fire Co. held elections. New County officers took their posts.

    Franklin County, PA

08 Dec

  • Spectator claimed only few Southerners were not still dedicated to the cause.

    Augusta County, VA

  • National

    Lincoln issued a proclamation of amnesty & reconstruction, offering full pardon to all Southerners who voluntarily take a prescribed oath.

12 Dec

  • Authorities notified of the refusal of the Confederates to receive or distribute supplies sent to starving Union prisoners in Richmond, VA.

    Virginia

15 Dec

  • Contrary to rumors that Augusta had enlisted 12 or 15 hundred substitutes in the army, the enrolling officer reported that the true number is fewer than 400. Vindicator suspended publication until January 8, due to the fact that the staff went to defend against Averill's raid.

    Augusta County, VA

Dec

  • Capt. Clarence Clayton of the Quartermaster's Dept. in Chambersburg acquitted on charges of unlawfully disposing of U.S. property.

    Franklin County, PA

17 Dec
  • National

    Congress awarded Gen. Grant a gold medal for distinguished services at Ft. Donelson, Vicksburg, & Chattanooga.

20 Dec

  • Augusta Raid Guard assembled & went to Rockingham County to defend Harrisonburg from the Northern troops.

    Augusta County, VA

  • Deadline for men to apply for an exemption from military service.

    Franklin County, PA

21 Dec

  • Chambersburg Female Seminary gave a concert of vocal & instrument music to benefit sick & wounded soldiers.

    Franklin County, PA

22 Dec

  • Spectator reprinted a letter from a Confederate soldier who complained of widespread discontent in the army.

    Augusta County, VA

24 Dec

  • Mt. Pleasant, home of John Guyer, caught fire.

    Franklin County, PA

26 Dec

  • Capt. Schelling's Company D, 16th PA Invalid Corps left Chambersburg for Elmira, NY.

    Franklin County, PA

31 Dec

  • Children of the Presbyterian Sunday School treated to a festival.

    Franklin County, PA

1864

1865

1866

1867