AREA HISTORY: Military, Dillsburg, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ MILITARY – Page 659 Dillsburg was a noted place for military parades, Fourth of July celebrations, and encampments of the volunteer companies. Jacob Spidel, half a century ago, had a well drilled company, and Col. S. N. Bailey, at a later date, became a skilled military officer. On battalion days he was frequently the commander of all the militia and volunteer soldiers that assembled here and at Lewisberry. During the civil war he entered the service as colonel of the Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves. Henry Logan, Thomas Campbell, J. Williams, James McClure and J. Eslinger, were soldiers of the war of 1812, who lived to an advanced age. Mr. Eslinger was wounded in the battle of Lundy’s Lane, by a buckshot which struck his forehead and lodged in the crown of his head, where it remained until his death. Probably the most noted military character of Dillsburg was Edward Cavenaugh, an Irishman, and a brave soldier of the Revolution, who died about 1843 at an advanced age. In 1775 he enlisted in Capt. Matthew Smith’s company, and joined Gen. Arnold’s army in the march from Boston through Maine to Quebec. While on the way thither by a miraculous circumstance, Cavenaugh, or “Honest Ned,” as he was always termed, saved the lives of John Joseph Henry, on of his comrades, who afterward became president judge of Lancaster and York courts, and of Gen. Michael Simpson, whose biography will be found in the history of Fairview Township. The men attempted to swim the Dead River, when both, being overcome with exhaustion, were rescued by Cavenaugh, who himself was captured by the British in front of Quebec, and being a native foreigner, was compelled to enter the British service for a time; a few months later, when he was supposed to be true to England, he and a British soldier were put on guard by the palace gate at the outer walls of the city, when Conner, one of Cavenaugh’s old comrades, who was also compelled to enter the English army, came and gave the British soldier a drink of rum. At that instant Cavenaugh struck him with the butt of his gun, which so stunned him that he and his friend Conner escaped to the American lines, after making a leap of twenty-five feet from the wall into a pile of snow, and being fired upon by a relief guard. He afterward became a great hero with his comrades, and Congress granted him a special pension. The above incident was related by Judge Henry, who was an eye-witness to it. In 1810 Judge Henry visited him, when he lived at Dillsburg, but found him very poor, and with great sympathy gave him some money. At the military parades at Dillsburg “Ned” Cavenaugh was the great hero. In 1842 he was taken to an encampment near town in a carriage drawn by four black horses. The semi-centennial of American independence was celebrated at Dillsburg, July 4, 1826, with imposing ceremonies. The citizens assembled at the house of George Howard. “The Dillsburg Guards,” Capt. Bradley, attended the celebration, followed by citizens with two Revolutionary soldiers at their heads, and went to the spring on lands of Col. Eichelberger. A meeting was organized and William Diven was chosen president and Col. Eichelberger vice-president. The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. G. L. Shearer, after which they say down to a repast provided by George W. Howard. The following were among the regular toasts: The signers of the Declaration of Independence. The soldiers of the Revolution. The memory of Gen. Washington. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. The day we celebrate. The Union. John Quincy Adams, President. The memory and virtues of our late Gov. Snyder. J. Andrew Shultze, Governor of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. May the voice of the people be heard and skulkers tremble at the next presidential election. The following volunteer toasts were given: By Sergt. John Cavanaugh, of the Revolution: There is a health to the United States. Likewise to General Gates, Who in the year of seventy-seven, Through the assistance of Heaven, Did conquer the valiant Burgoyne. By Edward Cavanaugh, a soldier of the Revolution: The memory of Gen. George Washington and his brothers in arms, who assisted in gaining the independence we this day celebrate. May it be handed down to the last ages of time. Toasts were also given by Capt. J. Bradley, Lieut. Henry Sidel, Dr. Jacob Sawyer, Washington H. Lewis, Samuel Henry, Jacob Sawyer, John Livingsberger, George Dare, Peter Leibner, William R. Gilleland, John Galitin, Martin Carl, Dr. Jacob Weaver, John Cannon, Daniel Brawley, John Vanest, Thomas Methran, G. L. Shearer and Col. F. Eichelberger.