War is Over: Cove, Altoona Safe From South

After months of scaremongering, fortification construction at vulnerable spots and enlisting volunteers to protect Morrisons Cove and Altoona from southern rebels, all eyes shifted east to Gettysburg and locals started breathing sighs of relief.

A firsthand look at the drama playing out in Gettysburg and locally is found in journal entries posted by Morrisons Cove resident Henry C. Lorenz, who reported on his findings the third week in June 1863, when he rode through the Cove to Woodbury and Pattonville (Loysburg) and spotted northern militia guarding the Gap.

Rumor was that rebels were east at Newburgh headed west to Morrisons Cove.

Ella Snowberger, in Volume 5 of Bygone Days in the Cove, quoting from Lorenz’s information, said that reports of rebels on the mountain were false and instead the battle of Gettysburg was at a fevered pitch.

On July 4, the birthday of America was celebrated locally with militia drilling in Martinsburg, just hours after reports that the cannon fire at Gettysburg was so intense it could be heard locally.

David Snyder, lifetime journalist living in Loysburg, recalled stories told by his ancestors, some who fought in the war.

“They used to say that at one time the roar could be heard right here,” Snyder said from his home.

There is no argument about that from Jim Snyder, president of the Blair County Genealogical Society.

When the barometric pressure was right, the booms from the canons at Gettysburg traveled through the valleys.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. They were huge canons and there was an awful lot of them,” Snyder said.

It took days for news of the southern dust up in Gettysburg and the surprising result to hit Morrisons Cove but it brought unspeakable relief that local dangers were significantly diminished.

But the risk to Blair and Bedford counties was real in light of strategies later revealed by Civil War enthusiasts including Cloyd Neely, a Duncansville resident who wrote decades after the war that a single decision out of the nation’s capital changed the focus of the battle.

June 28, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered the rebels to attack and capture Harrisburg.

A day later, Lee learned that Gen. George Meade, buddy to Lee, was given command of the Army of the Potomac and that the Union was in hot pursuit of Lee.

“This information caused General Lee to make drastic changes to his plans,” according to Neely.

Late June 29, Lee ordered an attack on Harrisburg and relocation of the corps south to the general vicinity of Gettysburg.

Southern troops operating in northwest Maryland were advancing in double columns toward McConnellsburg opening the door for a massive advance through what was known as the Great Cove leading to the smaller Morrisons Cove.

The units were called to join the main Confederate army headed to Gettysburg.

“It was probably the recall of Gen. John Imboden to Gettysburg on June 30 that probably saved the Altoona railroad property,” according to Neely.

The Gettysburg defeat, sending Lee and his forces back to Virginia, ended the fear for the locals.

“There was no longer a need for the State Emergency Militia in the Morrisons Cove area and they were sent home,” Neely wrote.