M.A. Kleen

As the month of June 1863 came to a close, it just so happened that both Union Brig. Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick and Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart were looking for Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s Second Corps, which had recently withdrawn from its position west of Harrisburg, and both were moving north from Maryland. Kilpatrick got to Hanover, Pennsylvania first on the morning of June 30. The townsfolk regaled the boys in blue with food and patriotic songs, but their respite was short lived. As Kilpatrick continued his march, two brigades of Confederate cavalry under Col. John R. Chambliss and Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee struck his rearguard, commanded by Brig. Gen. Elon John Farnsworth. Fighting seesawed through the streets of Hanover for several hours, including an artillery duel that lobbed shells over the rooftops. Brig. Gen. George A. Custer turned his brigade around and stiffened the Federal defense of the town. By nightfall, J.E.B. Stuart was forced to look for an alternative route north. For their efforts, the Confederates lost 3 killed, 10 wounded, and 30 captured or missing. Union forces suffered 13 killed, 72 wounded, and 105 captured or missing in their tenacious defense.