Yesterday, I was notified by Hunterstown Historical Society
President Laurie Harding that the book signing I’ll be having following the Hunterstown monument dedication will take place on the front porch of the Jacob Grass Hotel. The Grass Hotel was Federal Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick’s headquarters during the July 2, 1863 cavalry battle there with Wade Hampton’s Confederate troopers. The owner of the Grass Hotel, Mr. Ron Myers, is very aware of the history of his home and the area, and has done much to preserve the building. I’m honored that he has opened his property to this event, and I’m really hoping for a tour of the home. In all these years I’ve never seen the inside of it.
Here is the current schedule of the day’s events, which can be found on the Society’s website:
The dedication of the new Hunterstown Monument
depicting Norvell Churchill “saving” the life of
Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.
The Churchill Family will be coming to
Gettysburg / Hunterstown for this event
and will be bringing the family sword with them!July 2nd, 2008
Hunterstown, PA.11 am Monument Dedication
Roger and Laurie Harding, Co-Founders,Hunterstown Historical Society
George Zepick, Chaplain, Grand RapidsTroy Harman, NPS Ranger and HistorianMike Vallone, Gettysburg Battlefield GuideDave Broene, Grand Rapids RoundtablePat Stephens, Great-Grandaughter
of Norvell ChurchillThe Churchill FamilyStephen Alexander, Custer Re-enactorPA State OfficialJ. David Petruzzi, AuthorJared Frederick, ArtistPanoramic Artist, Jim Phelps,
will be on hand to “Photo Document”
this historic event. Armor Guard and Gun Salute
Michigan re-enactors
Unveiling of first Hunterstown battle painting …
by Artist, Jared Frederick(depicting Custer and Churchill on the Hunterstown Road)
2009 “Hunterstown” Calendar will be available for sale!by Artist, Edwin L. GreenAfterwards….4th Annual Walking Tour of “The Battle of Hunterstown”
Gettysburg Battlefield Guide, Mike Vallone, will be giving the tour.
Afterwards…..Picnic Lunch (Location to be announced)
-Tour of the Great Conewago Presbyterian Church and Cemetary
http://www.hunterstown1863.com/id16.html– Hunterstown Artifact Display –Also, all Hunterstown fundraiser items
will be on display and for sale.All proceeds will go to Hunterstown Historical Society.
Afternoon Speakers
(times be announced)Deb McCauslin, “For the Cause”
Also…a Special Evening Presentation…by General Ulysses Grant
and Mrs. Julia GrantLive music by Rick Garland
Oh Be Joyful!
Author J. D. Petruzzi
“Plenty of Blame To Go Around: Jeb Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg” and “One Continuous Fight: The Retreat From Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863”will be signing his books.
Also, Dick HamiltonAuthor, “Oh Hast Thou Forgotten”,
Michigan Cavalry in the Civil War:
The Gettysburg Campaign
And much…much more!
Open to the Public.
No advance tickets required.
Hoofbeats and Cold Steel 
Hello: My Great Grandfather X3 (Private Jeffrey Smith) was with the 18th Pennsylvania Calvary; Company “M” at Gettysburg 1n 1863 and was in Kilpatrick’s calvary command. I am trying to piece together the movements of that command and where exactly he may have been on July 2nd and 3rd 1863. Any help would be appreciated
thank you
Bob Spear
[…] This monument was dedicated yesterday, July 2, 2008, on the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Hunterstown and the concurrent Battle of Gettysburg (some historians consider Hunterstown to be an extension of the larger battle at Gettysburg and have recently deemed it as “North Cavalry Field.” However, that term was not used in the Civil War, and everything I have read from participants indicated it was a separate fight). For more on the dedication ceremony, please see my friend J. David Petruzzi’s blog entry. […]
Huzzah! I am very grateful that descendants of the Michigan Brigade (Custer’s Wolverines) have unveiled this important timely memorial to Brigadier Gen. George A. Custer. The late Brian Pohanka, had he been alive would have been there to join you. Due to his passion for American history and knowledge of Gen. Custer both during the Civil War and after, I was able to really get to know the “BOY GENERAL” and in addition meet Professor Greg Urwin who now teaches American history at Temple Univ. in Philadelphia. So far his book “Custer Victorious” has so accurately depicted the “Custer America forgot”. Thank you Wolverines for honoring him! This young Brigadier, promoted in Frederick, MD followed JEB Stuart with his commanding officer Gen. Kilpatrick first engaging Stuart in Hanover, PA, then Hunterstown, PA (4 miles north of Gettysburg), then finally defeating him at Gettysburg (Rummel Farm) 3 miles to the east of the town on July 3rd, 1863. Now we are engage in the 150th anniversary of that period. I pray Gen. Custer will come back again in the newly awakened consciousness of the historical community and be seen for what he was (age 23 through 25) the most successful and one of the bravest cavalry commanders of the American Civil War. Huzzah! See you in Gettysburg 2013! “Come on you Wolverines!”