The Keystone State Gets Keystone Krossed: How Many Times Did Pennsylvania Get Invaded During the Civil War?
Let's face it, folks, the Civil War wasn't exactly a picnic in the park. Brother against brother, state against state, the whole thing was a right mess. But amidst the all the cannon fire and battlefield boo-boos, one state found itself in the unfortunate position of being a Civil War chew toy: Pennsylvania.
Now, you might be thinking, "Hold on a second, wasn't Pennsylvania firmly in the Union camp?" You got that right, champ! But here's the thing: when the Confederates were feeling peckish for some fresh supplies or just looking for a change of scenery, Pennsylvania was like the all-you-can-eat buffet right next door. So, how many times did the Confederates decide to, ahem, "borrow" some Pennsylvanian resources?
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How Many Times Was Pennsylvania Invaded In The Civil War |
The Great Keystone Caper: A Breakdown of Confederate Hospitality (or Lack Thereof)
Technically speaking, there wasn't a full-blown invasion of Pennsylvania every other week. However, the state did experience its fair share of Confederate "shopping sprees." Let's take a gander at the most notable ones:
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The Gettysburg Caper (1863): This one's a biggie. General Lee, bless his ambitious heart, decided to take his Army of Northern Virginia on a "strategic shopping trip" through Pennsylvania. What he got instead was a three-day brawl known as the Battle of Gettysburg, which turned out to be a major turning point in the war. Ouch!
The Chambersburg Chuck Up (1864): This raid wasn't quite as epic as Gettysburg, but it sure left a mark (literally!). Confederate cavalry under the command of General Jubal Early torched most of Chambersburg, which wasn't exactly neighborly.
So, the Final Tally? How Many Times Did Pennsylvania Get Invaded?
While there wasn't a constant stream of Confederate soldiers marching through Pennsylvania, they did come knocking a few too many times.
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Here's the not-so-scientific breakdown:
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- Major Invasions: 1 (Gettysburg Campaign)
- Raids and Skirmishes: A couple (including the Chambersburg incident)
So, while Pennsylvania wasn't exactly under constant siege, it definitely saw its share of Confederate action.
How To FAQs: Your Guide to Not Getting Invaded (Hopefully)
Even though the Civil War is long over, a little knowledge never hurt anyone! Here are some quick tips for keeping those pesky invaders at bay (or at least prepared for them):
- How to Build a Really Big Moat: While a moat might seem a little extreme, it can definitely be a conversation starter. Just make sure you have a good supply of rubber duckies for entertainment purposes.
- How to Train Your Local Geese: Geese are nature's attack geese. Learn to harness their power and you'll have a feathered fighting force no army wants to mess with.
- How to Make Really Loud Polka Music: Let's face it, nobody wants to invade a place where polka music is blaring 24/7. It's a psychological deterrent of the highest order.
- How to Bake the World's Best Shoofly Pie: This is a two-pronged approach. First, a delicious shoofly pie might just appease any invaders. Second, the sheer amount of butter involved might make the whole invasion attempt a logistical nightmare.
- How to Make Friends With Your Neighbors (Even the Weird Ones): Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense...in the form of strong community bonds. Get to know your neighbors, even Uncle Fred who collects porcelain thimbles. You never know when you might need to borrow a cup of sugar (or a flamethrower).