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 a...