A Strong and Sudden Onslaught: The Cavalry Action at Hanover, Pennsylvania

While the battle of Gettysburg remains the centerpiece of the June/July campaign of 1863, there is an increasing interest in less-studied peripheral events that were an integral part ofthe operation. One such event occurred the day before the battle of Gettysburg began - thecavalry action on June 30, 1863 at Hanover, Pa.This important event is worth examining more closely since it played a key role in thecampaign's outcome: it deflected Jeb Stuart's main cavalry units away from the impendingbattle at Gettysburg and helped prevent it from uniting and participating with General RobertE. Lee's main battle force until the last day at Gettysburg.Although relatively little information is contained in the official reports on the action atHanover, especially on the Confederate side, author John Krepps has constructed afascinating account about the action at Hanover from many previously unpublished, butimportant, sources often overlooked. They include soldiers' diaries and letters, and civilianeyewitness accounts, including damage claims filed afterwards. This detailed narrative ispresented with comprehensive maps that bring clarity to this little written about subject.