"Civil War Times in Carlisle," by Merkel Landis

Merkel Landis provides a broad overview of what happened in Carlisle during the Civil War. Landis explores important political moments, including Presidential and local elections between 1860 and 1865, as well as describes how Carlisle residents respond to various events during the war.  These events include the initial rush to volunteer after Fort Sumter in April 1861, the Confederate occupation of Carlisle in 1863, and General Robert E. Lee surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.  In addition, Landis also includes several photographs of places in Carlisle during this period. This essay is from an address that Landis, a member of the Class of 1896, delivered on February 12, 1931 at the Hamilton Library in Carlisle.