July 3, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
Through private letters and persons arriving from Martinsburg and Winchester, we have interesting, though not late news, from General LEE’S army. On last Wednesday the whole of our forces had crossed into Maryland, not at Leesburg, as previously reported, but at Williamsport and other fords in that neighborhood. At that time we had made no movement directly or indirectly on Harper’s Ferry, which was still in possession of the enemy, who was strongly entrenched on the Maryland Heights.
Before crossing the Potomac, an order was issued by Gen. Lee that no private property should be touched. Citizens of Maryland were informed that such supplies as the army needed would be procured in the country, and paid for in Confederate money, at the prices prevailing before the entrance of our troops into the State. If they failed to bring in such supplies they would be seized, under authority, and any article necessary for the support of the army, if concealed, would be confiscated, if discovered. Those who declined receiving Confederate money would be given receipts for all produce furnished. Under this order the army was being bountifully supplied at very moderated prices. Flour was bringing $5 per barrel, bacon 8 and 10 cents per pound, and other articles in proportion. In the Valley of Virginia no flour was being purchased for the army, all the supplies being secured north of the Potomac.
The cavalry raids of Gen. Jenkins into Pennsylvania had been crowned with great success. On his first raid he went over into Fulton county, where he secured over a thousand horses and a large number of cattle and sheep. It is said that a drove of the latter, nearly four miles in length, passed through the upper part of Jefferson county on their way up the Valley in the early part of last week. The number of cattle was estimated from three to five thousand, and the number of sheep at about six thousand. Besides these, another lot of horses, numbering 1200 or 1300, were sent in by Gen. Jenkins, the result of his second raid among the rich farmers of the Cumberland and Core Valleys in Pennsylvania. From these facts some idea may be formed of the value of invasion to the Confederacy.
For a week previous to crossing the Potomac our army was being fed exclusively on United States provisions — fresh beef from Pennsylvania, and bread and other stores left by Milroy’s commissary. Our forces occupy Greencastle, and a number of other thriving towns in Pennsylvania, from which we are daily sending back vast quantities of shoes and clothing. Our cavalry have several times come upon large masses of Pennsylvania militia, mounted upon Conestogas, who, upon all occasions, take to their heels before our men can get a shot at them.
Our troops were in fine spirits, and rejoicing at the improvement in their commissariat. They boasted of receiving all the delicacies they desired, and were particularly gratified at the rich supplies of apple butter with which the country people were furnishing them.
In every town captured by our troops beyond the Potomac an order was issued for the opening of the stores, and the boots and shoes on hand were turned over to the Quartermaster Department. Other articles were sold to those who needed them at old prices, payable in Confederate currency.
The enemy still occupy the Maryland Heights, opposite Harper’s Ferry. Their force on these hills is estimated at about 5000. None of our troops have crossed the river below this point.
Hooker is said to have crossed the Potomac at Leesburg shortly after General Lee crossed at Williamsport.