As Confederate forces crossed into Pennsylvania in June 1863, the residents of Pottsville, Pennsylvania responded with patriotic fervor. A large war meeting was held at the Schuylkill County Courthouse on June 28, 1863, rallying volunteers to defend the state.

Just days later, the Battle of Gettysburg would erupt, changing the course of the Civil War.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the gathering in its June 29, 1863 edition:

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Enthusiastic War Meeting at Pottsville
Correspondence of the Inquirer
POTTSVILLE, Schuylkill County, June 29, 1863

Yesterday afternoon, a large and very enthusiastic war meeting was held at the Court House. The court room was so crowded in five minutes after the meeting was called to order, that an adjournment to the open air became necessary.

John Bannan, Esq., presided and made a most patriotic address. Speeches were also made by Rev. S.F. Colt, Benjamin Haywood, James H. Campbell, Wm. Milnes, Jr., Benjamin Bannan, Judge Grier, and Judge Parry.

Mr. Milnes offered to support ten families at $5 a week, during the absence of their heads at the seat of war. Judge Grier made a liberal offer of a similar character.

A thousand men will leave Pottsville today for Harrisburg, and another thousand will leave during the week, notwithstanding the quota of Schuylkill County is only 1812, and that 600 men have already been sent.

At a meeting held on Saturday, immediately upon receipt of the Governor’s call, two committees were appointed, one to wait on the coal operators and request them to stop work, and the other to wait on the Reading Railroad, and urge them to stop running coal trains – both will probably be successful.

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As the Army of Northern Virginia marched deep into Pennsylvania, panic spread across the Keystone State. Governor Andrew Curtin issued a call for emergency militia regiments, urging able-bodied men to join the defense of Harrisburg and Pennsylvania’s industrial heartland.

Coal from Schuylkill County fueled the Union war machine, powering ironworks, factories, and steamships. The town’s miners, laborers, and businessmen understood the high stakes of a Confederate invasion – if the Coal Region fell, the Union war effort could suffer a major setback.

There was also some evidence that Robert E. Lee would target the collieries of the Southern Anthracite Field if he defeated the Army of the Potomac in battle.

The meeting in Pottsville highlighted the patriotic support of Pennsylvania’s mining communities, which had already sent thousands of soldiers to the front lines. It also showed the concern about the political and economic consequences of the rebel attack on the Keystone State.

Just days later, on July 1, 1863, the Union and Confederate armies clashed at Gettysburg, where many Pennsylvania volunteers played a key role in defeating Lee’s invasion.

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Read more about the Gettysburg Campaign and the Coal Region

A Confederate proposal to invade and burn the Coal Region in the summer of 1863

As Confederates invaded Pennsylvania in 1863, the coal mines of northern Dauphin County were in chaos

Ben Crippen | Died shaking his fist at Confederate soldiers at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863

Captain Charles Flagg | Killed at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863

History Hikes | In the Footsteps of the 143rd Pennsylvania at Gettysburg

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