On June 29, 1863, Mechanicstown was filled with the noise of an army on the move as Union Gen. John F. Reynolds marched I Corps to Emmitsburg, confirming for residents the rumors of advancing Confederates that had already sent nervous farmers hurrying horses and personal belongings through town. To guard the Federal rear, Gen. John Buford posted his reserve brigade of the First Cavalry Division here under Gen. Wesley Merritt. After the Battle of Gettysburg, Federal troops passed through the town again while pursuing the Army of Northern Virginia. On July 5, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart rested his cavalrymen for an hour outside Mechanicstown near Graceham to feed and water their tired horses at a grain mill, then, after learning that Union cavalry were guarding the mountain pass to Cavetown on present-day Rte. 77, rode around Mechanicstown on paths through Harbaugh Valley. Amid the confusion of troop movements, stories spread that Confederates had actually occupied the town, but most local residents kept their courage. One of Stuart’s cavalrymen saw a little girl crying as she helped water the horses and, thinking she was frightened, told her she was in no danger, only to learn that her tears were from a painful toothache. Life soon returned to normal.