The Gettysburg Campaign has been examined in minute detail from nearly
every aspect but one: the key role played by Richard Ewell's Second
Corps during the final days in June. Scott Mingus's Flames Beyond
Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June
1863 is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that not
only shaped the course of the Gettysburg Campaign, but altered the
course of our nation's history.
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 and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover
Junction rail yard. Early's most vital mission was the seizure of the
Columbia Bridge, which spanned the Susquehanna River between
Wrightsville and Columbia. To capture the longest covered bridge in the
world would allow Early's Division to cross into prosperous Lancaster
County and move against the capital in Harrisburg from its relatively
undefended rear. Along the way, one of Early's brigades under John
Gordon occupied Gettysburg and spilled the first blood there days before
the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil began on July 1.
Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates both sides of Ewell'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. Mingus's study
also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in
the book, including the Confederate route of march from Maryland; the
June 26 skirmish at Gettysburg and the fight at the Witmer Farm; Lt.
Col. Elijah V. White's cavalry raids on Point-of-Rocks and Hanover
Junction; Gordon's triumphal march through York; the skirmish at
Wrightsville; and the bridge burning.
Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps
by cartographer Steven Stanley, the fast-paced and gracefully written
Flames Beyond Gettysburg is a welcomed and important addition to the
Gettysburg literature.
About the Author: Scott L. Mingus, Sr. is a scientist and executive in
the paper and printing industry. He maintains a popular blog on the
Civil War history of his home of York County, PA, for the York Daily
Record (www.yorkblog.com/cannonball), and is a sanctioned Civil War tour
guide for the York County Heritage Trust. Scott is the author of five
scenario books on wargaming and together with his wife Debi, publishes
CHARGE!, the leading international magazine for Civil War miniature
wargaming.
