July 1, 1863, The New York Herald
BALTIMORE, Md., June 29, 1863.
ANXIETY — JUBILANCE AND WILD RUMORS.
There exists a good deal of anxiety in this city as to the result of the pending army movements, and on the part of that numerous class of citizens with secession proclivities a suppressed but noticeable jubilance as the reports of the rebel advance came in. The wildest rumors and reports are circulated and credited of reverses to the Union cause and the success of the rebels, and the principal occupation of all classes seems to be to hear and repeat the latest canard in reference to military affairs.
THE REMOVAL OF GEN. HOOKER from the command of the Army of the Potomac excites a good deal of attention, coming as it does during the height of the momentous campaign now in progress. The impression seems to be that almost any change must be favorable.
GENERAL MEADE, of whom there does not appear to be much known here, other than that he has always acquitted himself well as a division and corps commander. Whether he has the ability to conduct so large an army and cope successfully with an able and energetic general like Lee, remains to be seen; but those who know him best are confident that the result will justify the trust which has been reposed him.
FEARS OF CAVALRY RAIDS.
Very serious apprehensions are entertained that the rebel cavalry will make a dash upon the roads between here and Washington, and between this city and Philadelphia, and thus for a time interrupt railroad communication north and south of us. Up to the present time these communications are intact, and it is hoped that the exposed and vulnerable points upon the roads are sufficiently guarded to prevent such a misfortune.
A MISSING TRAIN.
The train which left Frederick for this city at twenty minutes past seven o’clock this morning has not yet been heard from, and there is telegraphic communication only to Marriottsville — a station twenty-seven miles west of here — the telegraph line west of that point having ceased to work since daylight this morning.
REBELS CANNOT DAMAGE THE ROAD MUCH.
It is feared that the rebel cavalry may have made a dash upon the road, as it was known that there was a rebel cavalry force in the vicinity of Plain No. 4. If this should prove to be the case, the interruption would be but temporary, as there are no bridges on that part of the road, and the brief time that the rebels could remain upon the track would not admit of their doing much damage.
BALTIMORE, Md., June 30, 1863.
That the people of this city are very badly scared no one who has passed a day here can doubt. A general nervousness and looking for some sudden and dreadful disaster pervades the community. A man shouting in the streets, the sound of drum, or, a horse galloping rapidly along will cause a general rush of the people to doors and windows and arouse general anxiety. That portion of the rebel sympathizers who have anything to lose, look forward with dread to the approach of the army of Lee, knowing full well that their appearance and occupation of the city would be equivalent to its destruction, as it would never be surrendered except in ruins.
Small bodies of rebel cavalry have been operating quite near here, but not with sufficient force to affect anything more than the stealing of horses and such supplies as they may stand in need of and can lay hands upon.
A great excitement was created here last night by the report that a portion of the First Delaware cavalry, numbering about one hundred, had a fight with a force of rebels who were advancing on Westminster, and all but about half a dozen of them having been killed, wounded or made prisoners.
At about eleven o’clock last night a great commotion was visible throughout the city, many citizens rushing to and fro with muskets in their hands and cartridge boxes and belts buckled around them. Upon inquiring into the cause of the excitement I learned that the signal men stationed on the different roads had discharged rockets announcing the approach of a rebel force on the Resiter town road. The alarm bells were accordingly rung as was agreed upon, by order of General Schenck, as a signal for the members of the Union League to meet at the different rendezvous and prepare for the defence of the barricades. The scene was for a time quite exciting, the alarm bells ringing, the citizens rushing to and fro, some of the more excitable shouting “To arms! The rebels are upon us!”
Couriers dashing hither and thither with reports and orders, the cavalry and infantry moving to their appointed places, made up a scene which is rarely witnessed in this hitherto comparatively quiet city. Some four or five thousand citizens assembled at the different headquarters and were organized ready to resist to the last the advance of any armed secession foe. The military were also all under arms and on duty; but the enemy failed to make their appearance, and the excitement gradually died away, and this morning all is quiet again.
A movement of the Army of the Potomac, under its new commander, has commenced, and is being pushed vigorously forward, which will no doubt change the position of affairs here, and it is believed will relieve the cities of Washington and Baltimore from the anticipation of an attack. The nature and character of that movement a short time will reveal. In the meantime we must wait as quietly and with as much confidence as possible the developments of the future.
The repairs upon the Baltimore and Ohio road near and beyond Sykesville are being pushed forward and will be completed to-day. The train left at a quarter past eight this morning for Frederick, but may not get through before this evening. The rebels are all off the line of that road now, and a sufficient force is at hand to prevent their interfering with it further.