When most people think of the Civil War and the state of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg usually comes to mind. After all, it was an epic battle that was a crucial turning point. But prior to that period, there was another battle fought in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This less well-known skirmish took place on the very same day as Gettysburg did.
Confederate General Stuart moved up through Maryland and into Pennsylvania in search of supplies. There was another motive, and that was to find a specific group of soldiers. Instead, they came upon the militia in Carlisle. Rather than attacking the entire town, they first focused on the barracks, as they weren’t prepared for another full battle and were exhausted from earlier weeks.