July 2, 1863, The New York Herald
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 30, 1863.
In company with another gentleman, I left this city last Friday morning for Gettysburg, with a view to ascertain, by my own observation, the object of the rebel invasion, their numerical force, what they were about and the probable point of their first ground attack. In all my movements I have the good fortune to be able to state that I was successful beyond even my expectations, and as I feel that a sketch of my wanderings and observations must prove highly interesting to your readers, I propose to sit down and give you the benefit of them.
THE START FROM HARRISBURG.
We started from Harrisburg in a carriage and proceeded towards Gettysburg by way of Hanover junction, reaching our destination about two o’clock in the afternoon. Here we found everything in confusion. The people were terribly scared by an announcement which had just been made by a courier to the effect that the rebels were coming in overwhelming numbers to burn down the place and destroy everything with their reach.
GREAT FRIGHT OF THE REPUBLICANS.
Many of the citizens were packing up their traps for a grand […..],” and among the most noisy of those desirous of getting off as soon as possible were several prominent republicans, who, it is said, had been very valiant and boastful when it was thought that there was no danger whatever of the rebels getting in their direction.
The panic which seemed to have seized possession of the whole town soon communicated itself to my companion, who for particular reasons of his own, said he was very anxious not to get into the clutches of the rebels; he got out of my carriage, therefore, and, in company with the postmaster of Gettysburg, proceeded towards Hanover, leaving me in my […..] glory” to meet the approaching rebels. Thus deserted, I struck boldly out and drove my horse straight in the direction which I knew the […..] backs” must take, as my object was to get inside their lines to procure all the information I could.
OUR CORRESPONDENT MEETS THE REBELS.
I had not gone far when sure enough the confederate forces made their appearance. Soon I saw a portion of their cavalry come dashing out of Gettysburg towards some commissary stores which had been left behind the last train, in the hurry to get as much property as possible out of reach of the rebels before their arrival. These stores had been guarded by a company of recruits, who fled precipitately on the approach of the rebels. The captain in command of them rallied a portion, and induced them to return to resume their duties as guards of the government property. But it was only bringing them up to be captured.
The rebs immediately came up and fired on the guard, who returned the compliment; but before they had time to reload their pieces they were completely surrounded and captured by the superior force of rebel soldiers.
CAPTURE OF OUR CORRESPONDENT.
Shortly after the advance of the rebel cavalry espied the carriage in which I was seated, and approached me with cocked revolvers, which were pointed with very unpleasant menace at my head. Some of the rudest of them ordered me very gruffly to turn towards Gettysburg.
“If you don’t turn back immediately,” said one of them, “I will blow your brains out.”
I of course made no reply, but endeavored to comply with the gentlemanly request of my captors as quickly as was possible.
“Where the hell are those damned Yankee soldiers gone to?” inquired one of the soldiers.
I replied very innocently that I had not seen them.
“That’s a damned lie,” returned my interrogator; “ I have just seen them passing here.”
Thus saying he left with his companions, taking the direction of Hanover, doubtless with the view of capturing the balance of the commissary guard. I was thus left alone again and untouched. Another party of cavalry, however, commanded by a colonel, soon came dashing up and ordered me to halt. The commander of this body put me under the care of a guard, who were instructed to bring me back without delay to Gettysburg. Accordingly I was compelled to turn my horse head, and, with a cavalryman riding at my side, began to retrace the road I had just passed over. This cavalryman was not a very polite companion. My horse was an old blind animal not given to racing, and my vehicle was a very rickety concern, very much the worse for wear. Rapid locomotion was, therefore, not an easy matter. The cavalryman, nevertheless, held a cocked revolver to my head, and made repeated threats to “send me to hell” in case I did not […..] up the cakes.”
We soon overtook the commissary guard which had been captured, and two of the prisoners were put into my carriage — a captain and a private.
A PRISONER FIRED ON THREE TIMES.
The private informed me that after he had surrendered one of his captors fired at him three times, with the intention of killing him. This story was corroborated by one of the rebel guard, who declared he had witnessed the occurrence himself, and would have the guilty party punished if he could only be detected.
RETURN TO GETTYSBURG.
In due time we reached Gettysburg once more, and I was immediately taken to the Eagle Hotel, where I was left in the custody of a lieutenant and one private. They accused me of being a federal recruit — an honor which I owed to the muddy condition of my garments, which certainly did look as if I had been on a long a fatiguing march. However, after keeping me a prisoner for two hours I was put through a scrutinizing examination, and not being discovered to be a person of dangerous proclivities, I was given my liberty and permitted to move around like [….] other man.”
MIXING WITH THE REBELS.
I found no great difficulty in accomplishing what I greatly desired, namely — to mix among the rebel forces. Under the pretext of procuring a pass to Cumberland valley, I was afforded an opportunity of conversing with all the rebel generals whose brigades were in and around the town. Among those with whom I had an interview was the famous MAJOR GENERAL EARLY.
This officer was a tall and well looking personage, very dignified and gentlemanly in his demeanor. He sported a full beard and was dressed in the rebel uniform, with the stars of a major general decorating his collar, and a capacious brown felt hat, looped up at the right side, resting easily upon his head; when I first saw him he was in the act of giving to a citizen a copy of General Lee’s order, setting forth the terms upon which private property would be taken. I approached him, and opened the conversation.
“I belong to Cumberland valley, General,” said I, […..] desire to pass to my home.”
General EARLY — I have not time to attend to you just now; but if it is proper for you to go, there will be no obstructions offered to your departure.
This speech was uttered in a very sharp and decisive manner, but still without being tinged with anything like discourtesy.
I immediately bowed myself out of the great man’s presence, and mingling with the mass of soldiers, discovered that they were a part of Ewell’s corps, and composed principally of Georgia and Louisiana regiments. Among the latter were the remnant of the Louisiana Tigers and a few Welsh and Irish regiments from New Orleans. I also learned that their force consisted of four brigades, and from actual counting I found that the entire body which passed in and around Gettysburg to Hanover, and which is in York to-day, did not exceed four thousand five hundred infantry, two hundred and fifty cavalry and twenty-two pieces of light artillery. I am quite positive no other troops went to York. Two of these brigades were encamped about a mile from Gettysburg, on the pike leading out to Littletown, and the two others were stationed in the rear of Gettysburg.
THE REBELS LEAVE FOR YORK.
Having obtained all this important information I went quietly to bed, and woke up the next (Saturday) morning to find the rebels gone. “The bird had flown.” At daylight the whole force broke up camp and marched in the direction of York, by way of Hanover and Hanover Junction.
DESTRUCTION OF A RAILROAD BRIDGE.
Before leaving they burned the railroad bridge outside Gettysburg, and destroyed two cars containing the commissary stores already alluded to. In the burned cars were some mowing machines and leather belonging to private individuals, and in justice to the rebels it must be put on record that they took this private property from the cars and did not molest it.
RAID ON LIQUOR AND MEDICINES.
What liquor was left in the hotels they took away with them, as well as some drugs, which, however, they promised would be paid for. Some unruly soldiers forced open the store of a clothing merchant, whose name I cannot call to memory, and rifled it of everything, even to the quilts on his beds and his private wearing apparel.
PRIVATE PROPERTY WAS RESPECTED rigidly by the soldiers as well as their officers. Those who fared at the hotels paid for whatever they received in Confederate scrip. When first the rebs approached the people, as before indicated, were greatly alarmed, but when they saw that their houses were not entered and that the rights of property were respected, they gained confidence and courage and circulated freely among the soldiery. Some of the boldest of the inhabitants even ventured on the experiment of uttering abolition sentiments in the presence of rebel officers, who did not resent the intended insult, but indicted it as a very good joke, and only laughed at the excited fanatics.
RETURNING TO HARRISBURG.
About nine o’clock on Saturday morning, after the departure of the rebels, I began preparations for my return to Harrisburg. I harnessed up my horse, and, my saddle having been stolen, I succeeded in getting the loan of another, and finally started off for Cumberland valley, by way of the Chambersburg and Gettysburg pike.
About thee miles from Cashtown I met a rebel courier riding as rapidly as possible and carrying his carbine cocked on his hip. I gave him the military salute, and he returned it politely and passed on. I met no more rebels until my arrival within a mile of Stevens’ furnace, eight miles to the east of Chambersburg, where I came in sight of two countrymen, who waved their hats and motioned for me to go back. When they got up to me they informed me, with considerable evidences of fear, that they had just left three rebels over the hill, and that the whole rebel army was advancing towards me not three miles ahead.
THREE WILD REBEL IRISHMEN.
Thinking that I could not proceed through the rebels while they were advancing, I turned into the first tavern and waited about an hour and a half, when the three rebels whom the countrymen had seen made their appearance, and proved to be three Irishmen, stragglers from General Early’s force, who had succeeded in getting their canteens full of whiskey, and had evidently been indulging in their national proclivities. I had a conversation with these three rebel soldiers, regarding them as a fair type of the lower order of the rebels soldiery, and wishing to ascertain the sentiments of that class.
Their expressions were about the same as those which I had often heard from the lips of the rebel officers, and only differed in the brogue in which they were clothed.
“What the divil are yer fiting us for? You may hate us now, but you niver put us down. By my sowl, we’ll fight till the last man ov us is kilt, and thin, be jabers, the women will take a had at it. You may fight us for all eternity, and thin we wont be whipped afther all!”
Such is a specimen of the language and sentiments of these misguided people. They said that they had been with Stonewall Jackson in all his campaigns, and had never been whipped yet, and what was more, the Yankees could never raise men enough to do it.
GENERAL EARLY NO FAVORITE.
General Early seemed to be no great favorite with these rebels. They said the army disliked him greatly, and that they knew several fellows who would shoot him (Early) just as quick as they would [….] damned Yankee” if they only got a proper opportunity. About General Ewell, on the other hand, they spoke in the most favorable terms. When I ventured to inquire of them where their army was going, one of them replied: —
“I don’t know where the army is going, and I don’t care a damn. Old Lee is the boy to lead us into a scrape or out of one, and we don’t care a damn.”
As I before stated, I regarded this conversation as important only as showing the feeling of the lower order of the rebel army, and as indicating how thoroughly the officers have succeeded in imbuing their men with their own ultra sentiments.
BURNING OF STEVENS’ FURNACE.
The three rebel soldiers left in a high state of elevation, and finding that the rebel army was not advancing, I resumed my journey and drove as fast as I could to Stevens’ furnace. This, with the rolling mill attached to it, was a heap of ruins, having been committed to the flames by the rebels. About half a mile further on I met the outposts of the enemy.
One of them asked me to permit him to ride with me back to his camp. I assented, and while driving along found my new companion to be a fellow of great intelligence and observation. He was a private in one of the Virginia regiments, and informed me that the force just ahead of us was the corps of General A. P. Hill; that it had advanced that day about fifteen miles, and was then encamped on both sides of the road all the way from Greenwood to Fayetteville.
Passing squads of infantry, cavalry, baggage wagons, and parties of soldiers on foraging expeditions, who were returning loaded with chickens, butter, eggs and vegetables of every description, I proceeded through the entire corps of General A. P. Hill without any difficulty or having any questions asked me. I pushed boldly ahead, as if I had a perfect right to do so, and therefore was not noticed.
THE REBEL GENERAL-IN-CHIEF.
Arriving at Stouffertown I was informed that General Robert Lee, the rebel General-in-Chief, was encamped in the woods just ahead, only half a mile from Chambersburg. Having some curiosity to see this arch rebel I inquired of one of the soldiers where I could see Gen. Lee. He pointed out to me a tall, fine looking officer, sitting in front of a spacious tent, with one leg crossed over the other, and his head slightly depressed, with his eyes evidently vacantly bent on the ground. He appeared to be in deep thought, and seemingly did not notice what was occurring around him. I could not help thinking, while gazing upon this distinguished rebel, that his was the head of a man of more than ordinary ability. Perhaps even then he was maturing the details of some grand campaign by which he hoped to outgeneral our Union commanders.
However, I did not have much time just then to pursue the peculiar train of thought which was upon me, and fearing that I would be noticed, I reluctantly withdrew and proceeded in the direction of Chambersburg. On arriving at this place I found that the rebel army had been passing though there for two or three days, and that their rear, consisting of General Pickett’s Virginia troops and General Hood’s Texans, were just then going by.
“AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN DIXIE.”
Nearly every regiment that I saw, and those that had passed, were accompanied either by a brass band or a fife and drum corps. The banks were playing with much spirit such popular Confederate airs as “Away Down South in Dixie,” “Bonnie Blue Flag,” “Massain the Cold, Cold Ground,” and other well known airs.
Among the Texans I noticed one with a lasso, who exhibited his skill by throwing it over a rebel officer sitting on horseback by way of a joke. He also caught a Union dog with the lasso, as a punishment for barking on the approach of the rebels.
THE WHOLE REBEL FORCE NOT FIFTY THOUSAND.
From persons who had counted them, and in whose judgment I had great confidence, I learned that the whole force that had passed through Greencastle and Chambersburg, including teamsters, and officers, infantry, cavalry and artillery, did not exceed thirty-four thousand. That about two thousand still lay outside Greencastle that had not be counted, making in all thirty-six thousand men. This, with the force under Early at York, would make the whole rebel force north of Hagerstown not more than forty thousand five hundred. Accompanying this army were one hundred and sixty two pieces of artillery, forty of which were the heaviest kind of Parrott guns, sixty of which were heavy brass cannon, and the rest consisting of Napoleons, for throwing shell, and a thin mouthed rifled cannon, which I had never seen before. These, with the cannon with Early’s force, make the rebel artillery about to one hundred and eighty-four pieces. The whole force of cavalry and mounted infantry did not exceed 1,500. Only about one-third of these were regular cavalrymen, armed with carbines, sabres and revolvers. The remainder were armed with sabres and Enfield rifles, without bayonets.
I learned that Gen. Ewell, with his whole force, except that portion which was under Early at York, occupied the extreme front; that Longstreet and D. J. Hill were within supporting distance of Ewell up near Shippensburg and Carlisle. General A. P. Hill’s corps amounts to about sixteen thousand. This would leave a force of eighteen to twenty thousand in the Cumberland valleys, Chambersburg to Harrisburg, at the present writing.
A citizens from near Carlisle informed me that a very large portion of this force had taken the Walnut Bottom road, east of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, indicating an advance towards Gettysburg by the Carlisle and Gettysburg pike.
PRESENT SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
It will thus be seen that Lee is in the centre of his army at Chambersburg, with his forces so disposed that he can concentrate them all within one day either for an advance on Harrisburg, or Baltimore, by way of Gettysburg, or to meet General Meade, concerning whose whereabouts the rebel officers manifest considerable anxiety.
STORES ROBBED IN CHAMBERSBURG.
In Chambersburg the rebels had broken in stores and completely stripped them of all kinds of goods. Drug stores, dry goods stores, and groceries had been visited most extensively.
At the bookstore of S. S. Shryock, the rebels had purchased eight thousand dollars’ worth of stationery, paying for it liberally in Confederate scrip. Citizens were stopped in the street by soldiers and compelled to exchange hats, boots, and, in some instances, even pants. The Rev. Dr. Sneck was robbed in open daylight of a gold watch and $50 in money, and there were numerous other instances where citizens had been deprived of money and watches. It is said that in the country districts the soldiers even entered private houses, and holding revolvers at the heads of women compelled them to produce money and other valuables. But the private houses in towns, as a general rule, were not entered at all. Hotels were compelled to furnish beds, and mattresses for the hospital, which was located in the public school building of Chambersburg.
TWO REBEL CAVALRYMEN CAPTURED BY TWO UNARMED CITIZENS OF CHAMBERSBURG — THE TOWN PUT UNDER CONTRIBUTION.
Both officers and soldiers patronized the hotels extensively, paying for their meals in Confederate scrip. Barns and stables were searched for grain, hay and horses, all of which were taken without compensation. In Chambersburg two unarmed citizens captured two rebel cavalrymen that came in in advance of the rest, taking their revolvers, carbines and two splendid horses, and then made their escape. The town was compelled to pay $900 for the pistols, saddles, carbines, sabres and one of the horses, and to furnish another horse in place of the other one stolen. The citizens were also ordered to deliver up their arms, and about eight hundred guns, mostly United States muskets, were collected and destroyed by the rebels.
CONTRABANDS CAPTURED AND RESCUED.
In and around Chambersburg the rebels captured some fifty negroes, most of whom were contrabands, and had sent them on the road to Dixie under a suitable escort. But the brave citizens of Greencastle turned out, captured the rebel guard, and sent the darkeys on their way rejoicing.
RETALIATION BY GENERAL JENKINS.
This audacious act coming to the ears of General Jenkins he immediately ordered the citizens of Greencastle to pay damages to the tune of fifty thousand dollars, under the penalty of having their town burned to ashes before sundown. The amount of the damages was subsequently reduced to on half, but even this the Greencastlers would not pay, and their town still stands, notwithstanding the threats of Jenkins the mighty. All of her stores, however, have been thoroughly plundered.
REBEL RUMOR OF GRANT’S DEFEAT BY JOHNSTON.
On Saturday morning General Longstreet read at the head of his corps a despatch purporting to have come from Richmond, to the effect that General Johnston had attacked Grant in the rear of Vicksburg, and after killing ten thousand Yankees utterly routed the rest, and was then in pursuit of the fugitives, not one hundred of whom could possibly escape. The rebel army were highly elated at this, and felt more confident than never that they could capture Harrisburg.
THE REBELS RESPECT AND FEAR McCLELLAN AND DESPISE HOOKER.
While in Chambersburg, I had many conversations with rebel officers, colonels, majors, captains and lieutenants, and whenever the subject of our generals was brought up, I found a very remarkable unanimity among them in regard to Generals Hooker and McClellan. “Fighting Joe” they held in the most supreme contempt, while they invariably respected McClellan.
“The only general you have whom we fear in the least,” said one of the officers, ‘is General McClellan, and you have laid him on the shelf.”
During my stay in Chambersburg it was rumored that “Little Mac” was in command of the forces at Harrisburg. This rumor the rebels believed and officers and privates discussed the probable result of the impending conflict at Harrisburg. I overheard several groups expressing themselves to the effect that while they believed they could capture Harrisburg, they considered their chances were much less with McClellan in command of our forces. What was a little astonishing was that in all these conversations no remarks derogatory of General McClellan in the slightest degree were made by a single officer or private.
CHAMBERSBURG HAILS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF McCLELLAN.
The citizens of Chambersburg, as soon as they heard the rumor of McClellan being in command again, were greatly elated; and all, even to the most ultra republicans, who had been most bitter against him formerly, joined in the general joy occasioned by his supposed reappointment. Everywhere the news spread among the people of Pennsylvania I may add that an equal degree of joy and satisfaction was manifested.
Avoiding the rebel pickets on Sunday morning, I left Chambersburg and proceeded towards Roxbury, near the North Mountain, meeting on the way numerous parties of infantry out foraging, many of them as far as six miles away from their camps. So far as I could learn they had offered to pay for everything they took and in very few instances behaved improperly. I also met squads of cavalry in search of horses and cattle; and was stopped frequently myself and questioned as to who I was, where I came from, was going to, what my business was, &c. But on telling them I had only been a few miles back, and lived at a town just ahead — that I was only a private citizens engaged in harmless and legitimate pursuits — they permitted me to pass on. I learned on the way that a rebel major and a private had been killed by bushwackers and another officer badly wounded.
Arriving at Roxbury, I found the town in the possession of some twenty rebels, who had sent a squad of thirty-three through Roxbury Gap into Ambersom valley after horses. I learned also that a captain had been fired upon by a bushwacker, and that his life had been saved by a locket in his vest pocket.
Passing over the mountain by a near cut, I arrived in Ambersom valley just as the rebels were leaving. They had collected about twenty horses, and were evidently growing very uneasy. In order to inspire the crowd of citizens that were around them with a proper degree of fear, the major in command rose in his stirrups, and, looking to the pass, remarked: — “Why, in hell, don that infantry and artillery come up? They promised to be here before this — time to sweep down the valley. Had we better go on or go back and meet them?” The officers concluded to go back and meet them, and disappeared soon among the mountains. After informing the citizens how small the rebel force really was, and how easy it would be to guard the mountain pass against them, I procured horses and started for Perryville, where I arrived about eleven o’clock yesterday morning.
ARRESTED AS A REBEL SPY.
Here I was arrested by the Union citizens as a rebel spy. Some of them were in favor of hanging me without judge or jury. But they finally agreed to compromise the matter by letting me proceed to Harrisburg on the next train, in the custody of two of their most reliable citizens. When I reached this city my companions were not long in discovering that I was not precisely a rebel spy, and that so far as I was personally concerned the “Union was all safe.” I need not add that my captors were but too glad to release me as soon as they discovered whom it was they had in custody.