Looking at two titles to cover the skirmishes near the Susquehanna in 1863. I have seen both Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863 and The Confederate Approach on Harrisburg: The Gettysburg Campaign's Northernmost Reaches.
Does anyone have a preference or thoughts about these two books?
The Mingus book covers the Confederate Invasion into PA and the troop movement over toward Wrightsville and the subsequent burning of the bridge there. It also covers the Federal response (or lack thereof) and troop deployment in an attempt to defend PA.
I read the Mingus book a couple of years ago, I did not find it particularly notable. There is nothing wrong with the book, it is a quick read. But it is not a real action packed period, so writing a compelling narrative would be rather difficult in my opinion.
Not familiar with the book by Mingus. Know Cooper. He has written extensively about the Civil War in Cumberland County, PA (where I live). He's currently a doc student at Georgetown. Much of what he has writtent was completed when he was in high school and college (Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA). I've heard him speak at a few round tables. Impressive young man.