M.A. Kleen

June 29, 1861 wasn’t the first time Confederates appeared in the small borough of McConnellsburg, nor was it the first skirmish, but it was the deadliest. A week earlier, men from George H. Steuart’s Brigade had skirmished with Pennsylvania militia and the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Now it was Company G of the 18th Virginia Cavalry that appeared, looking for supplies. But Company A of the 1st New York “Lincoln” Cavalry was waiting for them. Without hesitation, the Confederates charged, but the Lincoln Cavalry turned the tables and counter-attacked, killing two of their foes and capturing 22. Despite acrimony toward the invaders, the local townspeople donated coffins and buried Sgt. William Moore and Pvt. Thomas Shelton along the Mercersburg Pike just east of town. A grave marker was erected in 1929, but it bears the incorrect date of June 30th.