Skirmish of Sporting Hill

Part of the American Civil War

Date	June 30, 1863
Location	Camp Hill, Pennsylvania Hampden Township, Pennsylvania East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania
Result	Inconclusive (Confederates withdrew)

Belligerents

United States

Confederate States

Commanders and leaders

Darius N. Couch

Albert G. Jenkins

Strength

Elements of Pennsylvania and New York state militia

Elements of the 16th Virginia Cavalry Regiment

Casualties and losses

11 wounded

16 dead
20–30 wounded

The Skirmish of Sporting Hill was a relatively small skirmish during the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War, taking place on June 30, 1863, at various locations in present-day Camp Hill, East Pennsboro Township and Hampden Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It is known as the northernmost engagement of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War.

Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell had led two full divisions and a cavalry brigade through Maryland into Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in late June 1863, with the intention of seizing the state capital of Harrisburg. However, he had been significantly delayed in crossing the rain-swollen Potomac River, which allowed time for the Union to respond. Pausing another day at Chambersburg, Ewell finally marched northwards through the Cumberland Valley towards Harrisburg.

In response, Union Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna, dispatched troops to the present day borough of Camp Hill, located in the Cumberland Valley approximately 2 miles west of Harrisburg. Laborers hired by Couch quickly erected earthworks and fortifications along the western portion of Bridgeport, adjacent to Camp Hill. The two largest of these became known as "Fort Couch" and "Fort Washington."

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