July 3, 1863, The New York Herald
CAVALRY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, June 30, 1863.
THE CAVALRY WINNING FAME.
Gen. Kilpatrick, having recently been promoted from a colonelcy, has more recently been placed in command of Stahel’s division of cavalry, comprising Ingalls’, under Brigadier General Farnsworth, and Brigadier General Custer, both of whom have served on General Pleasanton’s staff, and other brigades, besides artillery from the regulars. The cavalry has been steadily winning fame since it has been demonstrated that it is worthy a good name, and that division of it under General Kilpatrick will keep its laurels always green.
THE ADVANCE INTO PENNSYLVANIA.
On our advance into the Keystone State, at a late hour last evening, the boys were almost frantic with joy, and they made the welkin ring with cheers as soon as the State line was crossed.
THE APPROACH TO LITTLESTOWN.
The head of the column reached Littlestown, Pennsylvania, at eleven o’clock, being the first of the Union troops that had marched from Virginia to protect the keystone of the arch from being broken by rebel hands. The hotels, stores and private dwelling houses were brilliant with flashing lights, and cheers were given for the […..] of Pennsylvania,” more than three times three.
The ladies of the village baked bread for the soldiers during the whole night, not once closing their eyes in sleep, and the excitement of seeing for the first time even the advance column of an army kept them awake in the morning.
THE LADIES OF HANOVER EXTEND A CORDIAL WELCOME.
General Kilpatrick and his staff, as they rode through Hanover on the way to Abbottstown, were most enthusiastically welcomed by the ladies particularly and the citizens generally. The ladies showered bouquets upon the division commander and his staff officers, and gray haired men manifested unbounded enthusiasm. The boys of the cavalry and artillery were bountifully supplied with bread, pies and milk, and the weary ambulance patients were revived by homemade wines and sanitary supplies.
EXPLOSION OF A CAISSON.
When near Abbottstown, where General Washington encamped his army in 1781, a caisson of battery M, Second United States artillery, exploded, tearing off one leg of the driver, named Mariah, killing two horses and alarming the people, who had before heard no sound of war. Little children, fearing the rebels were coming, wept piteously, and older people apprehended that the town would be […..].”
STUART AT WORK.
Hardly had three rebels captured at Berlin, belonging to the eighth Louisiana infantry, who straggled from Gen. Ewell’s command, been disposed of, when intelligence came, at ten A. M., that Stuart’s cavalry were at work on our rear. Where they were this morning is not precisely known; but the following note, written by Fitzhugh Lee, undoubtedly to General Stuart, explains why they began to operate so early on the advancing column of Union cavalry: —
ON MARCH NINE A. M.
GENERAL — A citizens direct from Littletown informs me that General Kilpatrick, with four regiments — of which the First Virginia, Fifth Vermont and fifth New York are three, and six pieces of artillery — left that place this morning for Hanover. The road that I am on strikes the Littletown and Hanover road at McSherryville road, one and a half mile from Hanover. Very respectfully, you obedient servant,
FITZHUGH LEE,
Brigadier General Commanding.
THE ATTACK.
The attack was made near the intersection of these roads, and in the vicinity of Plum creek, on the road entering Hanover, upon the right flank of our rear, the rebels capturing a few prisoners and two or three ambulances. A charge was made on the three brigades of rebel cavalry — Fitzhugh Lee’s, Hampton’s and Robinson’s — led by the First Virginia. The ambulances were recaptured, and the Fifth New York captured the battle flag of the Forty-second North Carolina. Lieut. Col. Payne, of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, and a rebel lieutenant were also captured, together with some thirty-five privates. Capt. James Dickerson (formerly of Baltimore), of the Tenth Virginia cavalry, and several other rebels, were killed.
A rebel battery, stationed in the outskirts of the town, opened on our cavalry, and skirmishing was kept up through the town, the rebel battery playing into the streets, without, however doing much damage.
KILPATRICK TAKES THE FIELD.
Hastily moving the remainder of his command and his batteries from Abbottstown to Hanover, General Kilpatrick directed Elwell’s regular battery to open upon the rebels from the north side of the town, they then holding the road to Littlestown and Westminster, and forming in line of battle in the skirts of densely wooded forests on the south and southeast. The enemy failed to reply to our artillery, and seemed unwilling to give battle to our cavalry.
General Kilpatrick then ordered two regiments of cavalry to open communication with Littlestown, and drove the rebel cavalry back to our infantry approaching from the latter places, piercing their centre and compelling them to move one brigade to the right on the Gettysburg road, and the remaining two brigades to the left on the York road.
Until four or five o’clock there was occasional skirmishing between portions of the two commands, with slight loss to either side.
DEAD MEN AND HORSES IN THE STREETS.
In the streets and outskirts of the town the rebel dead lay unburied until nearly night, and dead horses rendered the streets more like the battle field than they looked when, early in the morning, the ladies gave a cordial welcome to their deliverers.
ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WERE BEATEN.
Rebel prisoners confess that this time they were beaten and got the worst of it.
STUART NEAR HERE.
Stuart’s whole command is supposed to be not more than two miles from here to-night, and it is probable that Kilpatrick will feel him out to-morrow.
STUART CUT OFF.
General Stuart was himself in the town to-day, and narrowly escaped capture, being at one time, in his zeal to cut Kilpatrick off from his connection with any other part of the army, nearly cut off from his own command.
WHY THEY HESITATED TO GIVE BATTLE.
It is thought that Fitzhugh Lee hesitated to give battle to Kilpatrick, hoping to protract the engagement until Ewell came up to his support. Kilpatrick, having divided Lee’s command and annoyed him with skirmishers, disarranged his plans and purposes, and so Lee found it prudent to slip by on the left.
LOSSES IN KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The rebel loss in killed is known to be fifteen, in wounded it is known to be twenty-two, in prisoners forty-five. Our loss in killed is nine, in wounded thirty-one and some prisoners. Many of our wounded were injured by sabre cuts.
The following is a list of our casualties: — […..]
CAPTURE OF WAGONS.
Stuart has in his command about one hundred and fifty supply wagons, captured a few days ago, when he made a dash upon our trains at Barnestown.
“OH! IT’S OUR FLAG.”
An old lady who saw the Stars and Stripes at the head of Kilpatrick column, when it was approaching Abbottstown, exclaimed almost frantically, “Oh! It’s our flag! It’s our Flag! They told me the rebels were coming; but it’s our flag.”
JULY 1, 1863.
STUART NEAR YORK.
Information has come in this morning that Stuart is near York in large force. Kilpatrick’s division is under orders to move, undoubtedly towards him.
REBEL CAVALRY IN LITTLESTOWN.
A small body of mounted rebels made a dash into Littlestown yesterday, and some half dozen of them were captured.
BEHAVIOR AT ABBOTTSTOWN.
On Saturday a column of rebel cavalry, infantry and artillery, estimated to number five thousand, passed through Abbottstown, on the way to York. They respected private property everywhere, and the soldiers conducted themselves with great propriety.
WHEATFIELDS TRAMPLED.
Fields of waving wheat; ripe for the sickle, are trampled down by the march of armed men and the sanguinary conflicts between opposing hosts. Thus far villages have escaped destruction.
HANOVER, Pa., July 1, 1863.
The rebel cavalry left this vicinity last evening or this morning, and passed on by the way of Duke’s Mill, Jefferson and Seven Valleys.
The following correspondence from rebel soldiers to their friends in Dixie was captured this morning: —
YORK Pa., June 29, 1863.
We arrived here yesterday about eight P.M., finding General Early with his headquarters at the Court House. York was surrendered by the authorities without a struggle, and ere this reaches you we expect to witness the fall of Harrisburg. There was a small fight at or this side of Columbia bridge yesterday, which resulted in driving the Yankees across the river, when they fired the bridge and burned it. The boys are a jovial set of fellows, confident of being able to take Philadelphia.
YORK, Pa., June 29, 1863.
The […..] “arrived here yesterday and took possession, and now hold this place. I, by strategic movements, brought up the rear about eight o’clock P.M. yesterday. No doubt you will be surprised to hear that I am here.
****
Gen. Early has demanded $100,000 from the citizens as their portion of the levy for the support of the troops. The confederates are a brave set of men, anxious at all times to engage the Yankees.
YORK Pa., June 29, 1863.
MY STILL REMEMBERED AND DEARLY BELOVED — How long has it been since last I saw you and listened to your sweet voice? And when about to leave you the clasp we gave each other hands, the kiss, the last fond look, and thus we parted. This is all fresh to memory, and will be until I behold you again, in the same way that true friends are known to meet. What I have suffered and gone through since I left you I cannot describe. It appears like a long time to me, and you are ever present in mind and I hope I am still remembered by my dearest love.
After a difficult and very perilous route I arrived at this place about eight o’clock last night, and found the rebels in full command of the city. They have been skirmishing about the neighborhood this morning. They destroyed some of the railroad track at Hanover on Saturday, captured a good many horses, but they were returned, the men not being authorized by the officers to do it.
I had to give my horse (General Lee) to a man to pilot us. I hated to part with him; but I will soon get another — a better one than I have now?
George and I have temporarily joined the Seventeenth Virginia cavalry — that is, until we can get with the Maryland companies, which are not very many miles distant.
****
It is very likely we will be in a battle before to-morrow morning at Harrisburg, if it is not surrendered.
YORK, Pa., June 29, 1863.
After a long and roundabout wild goose chase, we arrived here about eight o’clock last night, and found Jackson’s foot cavalry in full possession of the town.
***
The notorious rebels are under the command of General Early. They are in high spirits, well dressed, and all they want is to fight.
We expect to be ordered to Harrisburg every minute. The pickets drove back a large force of the Yankees just below Columbia yesterday evening, and I expect long ere you get this you will hear of the fall of Harrisburg.
The General has demanded one hundred thousand dollars from the Yankees in this place. Already preparations are being made for the desired amount. As there is no money in the bank, there has been a committee of the citizens appointed to raise it, which I think can be done, as they are terribly scared.
***
Goodby. Rest assured that I will never disgrace myself by running from a black Yankee, but, on the other hand, fight till I die or conquer. This is my motto, actuated by pure motives and principles.
YORK, Pa., June 29, 1863.
We are here in strong force, numbering about eight thousand. There are about sixty thousand to eighty thousand rebels in Pennsylvania. We will march on Harrisburg, I expect, to-night. About six hundred cavalrymen were at Hanover Saturday night. They destroyed the railroad for a few miles, took what horses they wanted, and then made back. I expect we will make an attack on Baltimore after Harrisburg.
The above is all that I have time now to copy from these rebel letters. They express a very confident and hopeful tone.