June 30, 1863, Richmond Enquirer
Whatever chances of an early peace may lay hid in the future, certain it is the war was never yet so active and desperate and widespreading as at this very moment. The month of June is not passing idly by, but both parties improve each shining hour. From Arkansas to Pennsylvania the struggle grows hotter and more intense; the stationary camps that have so long stood quietly facing each other are broken up, and bloody battles along can determine their next winter quarters. The map of the continent, marked with the present stations and lines of operation of the opposing armies, presents a perplexing scene indeed. Yankee raiders burning our bridges and villages in Tennessee and Mississippi – Confederate expeditions stirring up the peaceful slumbers of Indiana – Lee’s army threatening Washington and Philadelphia – Yankee armies pretending to march upon Richmond – while Vicksburg and Port Hudson, on the Mississippi, still hold at bay the armies of Grant and Banks. The […..] is everywhere exciting, and there never yet was such devouring eagerness for news.
Undoubtedly the chief interest centres now on the fortunes of our army on the Potomac. – Rumor was busy yesterday, laden with startling or hopeful news; of which the most persistent was the capture of Harrisburg, and destruction of the State House of Pennsylvania. Of this, there is no confirmation, though certainly the thing is possible. Harrisburg is situated on the left, or further bank of the Susquehanna, which in that place is a very broad, shallow, rocky and rapid stream. It is crossed, two or three miles above Harrisburg by a railroad bridge, over a mile in length. About fourteen miles northwest of Harrisburg, and well in among the mountains, the Susquehanna is joined by the small river Juniatta, which falls into it upon this, the Southern side. – Between that point and the mouth of the river on Chesapeake Bay, it is nowhere fordable; all bridges are, doubtless, by this time destroyed; and as there is a large force of the enemy concentrated at Harrisburg, and formidable fortifications around it, the story of its capture and destruction is probably premature. The capital might, of course, be set on fire by shells from this side. Many regiments are now pouring into Pennsylvania from the North, and all directed upon Harrisburg. The Yankee General Couch has taken charge of the department of the Susquehanna; and another General (Brooks) is appointed to the department of the Monongahela, as the enemy imagine that one part of Gen. Lee’s plan may be the occupation of Pittsburg. Evidently they know nothing more of Lee plans than we do ourselves.
As to this last small “On-to-Richmond” by Gen. Dix, it is found impossible to get up much excitement here about that. Richmond is ready!