Category: History → Civil War

The First Casualty of Lee’s Invasion

Long before the Battle of Gettysburg became one of the most famous battles in American history, the Civil War had already reached Franklin County.

On the morning of June 22, 1863, twenty-year-old Corporal William H. Rihl became the first Union soldier killed north of the Mason-Dixon Line during Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania.

Today, a simple monument along U.S. Route 11 near Greencastle marks the spot where history changed forever.

Lee’s Army Crosses into Pennsylvania

In June 1863, General Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania. Confederate cavalry under General Albert G. Jenkins moved through the Cumberland Valley, gathering supplies, scouting Union movements, and spreading fear throughout local communities.

Many residents fled north while others stayed behind, uncertain what would happen next.

Union troops were scarce in Franklin County during the early days of the invasion.

A Small Detachment Near Greencastle

Corporal William H. Rihl served with Company C, 1st New York Cavalry.

On June 22, he and a small detachment were stationed near Greencastle to observe Confederate movements.

As Confederate cavalry approached, the Union soldiers attempted to withdraw, but they were quickly overtaken.

During the brief skirmish, Corporal Rihl was shot and killed.

Although the fighting lasted only moments, his death marked a significant milestone in the Civil War. He became the first Union soldier killed on Northern soil during Lee’s Pennsylvania Campaign.

Buried Where He Fell

Following his death, Corporal Rihl was initially buried near the location where he was killed.

Years later, in 1886, his remains were reinterred with military honors at the Antietam National Cemetery in Maryland.

In 1887, veterans and local citizens dedicated a monument near the site of his death to ensure his sacrifice would never be forgotten.

That monument still stands today beside U.S. Route 11, quietly reminding travelers that Franklin County witnessed the opening moments of one of the Civil War’s most significant campaigns.

A Forgotten Piece of Gettysburg’s Story

When people think about the Gettysburg Campaign, their minds naturally go to the three days of fighting around Gettysburg.

Yet the campaign began days earlier.

Before Gettysburg…

Before Little Round Top…

Before Pickett’s Charge…

There was Franklin County.

The roads through Greencastle, Chambersburg, and the Cumberland Valley served as the gateway into Pennsylvania for Lee’s army. Communities throughout the county experienced Confederate occupation, cavalry raids, and the uncertainty that comes whenever war arrives at your doorstep.

The story of Corporal William H. Rihl reminds us that Gettysburg did not begin on July 1—it began with the movement of armies across communities like ours.

Visiting the Monument

The William H. Rihl Monument is located along U.S. Route 11 near Greencastle, close to the location where the young cavalryman lost his life.

While modest in appearance, it commemorates an event that placed Franklin County at the very beginning of one of the Civil War’s defining campaigns.

For those interested in local history, it is a worthwhile stop and an important reminder that national history often begins in ordinary places.

Preserving Franklin County’s History

Franklin County is filled with stories that deserve to be remembered.

From Civil War battlefields and historic landmarks to forgotten communities and local legends, these stories continue to shape the identity of our region.

Franklin County Life is proud to preserve and share the history of our community—one story at a time.