Battle of Carlisle
The Battle of Carlisle was an American Civil War skirmish fought in Pennsylvania on the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg, First Day. Stuart's Confederate cavalry briefly engaged Union militia under Maj. Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith at Carlisle and set fire to the Carlisle Barracks. Stuart's cavalry withdrew and arrived at the Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day, to the annoyance and concern of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Background Carlisle was settled in 1751, and the Carlisle Barracks military post was established nearby in 1757, during the French and Indian War. The United States Army Cavalry School was established at the post in 1838. Captain Stoneman's four companies had a Civil War encampment at Horner's Mill on May 6, 1861. By June 1863 the barracks' cavalry had been "withdrawn to Harrisburg". On June 27, 1863, Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell's Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia stopped at Carlisle en route to Harrisburg and requisitioned supplies, forage, and food from the populace. Ewell, as well as some of his officers, had been stationed at the Carlisle Barracks prior to the Civil War when they were still members of the United States Army. He paused in Carlisle