The battle of "Three Crossings" Pennsylvania,  

Page 4

The small town of Mills Crossing became the focus of the Union defense. It was here that the largely unfought 11th army corps under Major General Oliver Howard made a stand and redeemed themselves after their cowardly retreat and flight at Gettysburg. Along this stone wall Major General  Carl Schurz deployed his 1st and 2nd brigades under Brigadier General Alexander Schimmelfenning and Colonel W. Krzyzanowski respectively. The guns of Btry. I, 1st  Ohio can be seen at the top left while bottom center gives a glimpse of the 13th N.Y. independent Btry. Veterans of the battle said the guns were so hot that they glowed at midday! General Howard can be seen just behind this battery near the Stone house. This picture was taken some time around the mid point of the battle.

It is at this point that Longstreet turned to Major General Edward Johnson division commander and said simply, "Sir, it is time to send the 'Stonewall' brigade in" Johnson saluted crisply and turning toward the stone bridge at the center of the battle and leading directly into Mills crossing waved to his Brigade commander Brigadier General James Walker, the prearranged signal to advance. Confederate guns all along the center opened fire in support of the crossing.

The problems of coordinating a large river crossing attack become plain in these photos. General James Walker is visible upon his white horse at the bottom left of the bridge. "Go, boys go! You Virginians are the best in this army! and Moss Rabbit is watching!"

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