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| Lincoln Address Memorial at Gettysburg |
During 1863 the residents of Harrisonburg thrilled to
the guerilla exploits of Captain John H. McNeill and his Rangers – a Confederate
partisan unit that harassed Federal units.
Also, in July, the citizens of Harrisonburg
were well aware of the great battle in Pennsylvania. The Register
on July tenth reported a “great, glorious, and overwhelming victory over Union
forces” at Gettysburg. Over the next week the truth became apparent
as large numbers of wounded Confederates passed up the Valley, many breathing
their last breathe in Harrisonburg. On
November 16, Court Day, a rumor late in the afternoon spread that the Yankees
would be coming in about five hours.[i] The rumor was false. Uncertainty charge the atmosphere.
