July 1, 1863, The New York Herald
COLUMBIA, Pa., via LANCASTER, June 30, 1863.
I have reliable information that the enemy is falling back along the entire line. The city of York was evacuated last night or early this morning. General Early is reported to have carried off a vast amount of money and stores.
Deserters from the rebel army say that the rebels are concentrating for a great battle with General Meade; but this is not believed by those in official stations.
There is a report here that a large rebel force is opposite McCall’s Ferry. Deserters from York say that they heard this spoken of by some of Early’s officers. This is the movement against Philadelphia.
It is believed that General Meade has retaken Hanover Junction. This is good news if true, and probably is the cause of a change in the rebel line of March.
All along the line of the Susquehanna above and below these troops are stationed in sufficient force to prevent a crossing, it is hoped.
Longstreet’s pontoon trains accompanies his troops to McCall’s Ferry.
THE REBEL OCCUPATION OF CARLISLE.
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 30, 1863.
A citizen of Carlisle, who left there at eleven o’clock to-day, arrived this afternoon. He states that all the infantry — nine thousand strong — with forty pieces of artillery left this morning for Gettysburg. On his way he met nothing but cavalry pickets. During their stay the rebels occupied the barracks and grounds and the most prominent buildings which were vacant. The citizens were compelled to furnish rations so far as their means would admit. During yesterday the rebel officers appeared uneasy for fear that the trains would be destroyed which were in the rear.
Yesterday there arrived at Carlisle one hundred prisoners, which the rebels captured at Gettysburg. They were robbed of their boots, shoes and valuables; after which they left to go home barefooted as best they could.
The rebel officers stated that they did not design to burn the barracks, as they intended to return. But at three o’clock in the afternoon a loud explosion was heard in that direction, and it is believed that they were blown up.
Private property was generally respected; but shoe and drug stores were cleaned out. Some paid for good in greenbacks, and a few in […..] and silver.
It is believed that the main body of the rebel army is in the neighborhood of Shippensburg. They all stated that their destination was Harrisburg, but thought it probable that they might be compelled to fight the Army of the Potomac before accomplishing their object.
The danger to Pennsylvania and the North is still imminent, everything depending upon the encounter between Lee and Meade. If our army should be defeated we have no hope except in large armies to be raised in the North. No effort should be spared to hurry forward large military organizations everywhere.
PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL EARLEY TO THE PEOPLE OF YORK.
HARRISBURG, June 30, 1863.
To the courtesy of Mr. O’Neil, of Pittsburg, I am indebted for a copy of the following: —
YORK, June 30, 1863.
TO THE CITIZENS OF YORK: — I have abstained from burning the railroad buildings and car shop in your town because, after examinations, I am satisfied the safety of the town would be endangered; and acting in the spirit of humanity, which has ever characterized my government and its military authorities, I do not desire to involve the innocent in the same punishment with the guilty. Had I applied the torch without regard to consequences I would then have pursued a course that would have been fully vindicated as an act of just retaliation for the authorized acts of barbarity perpetrated by your own army on our soil; but we do not war upon women and children, and I trust the treatment you have met with at the hands of my soldiers will open your eyes to the odious tyranny under which it is apparent to all you are yourselves groaning.
J. A. EARLEY, Major General C. S. A.
SKIRMISH AT SPORTING HILL
NEW YORK TROOPS ENGAGED IN THE FIGHT.
FORT WASHINGTON, June 30 — 9 P.M.
About six o’clock this evening a skirmish took place between our forces and that of the enemy at a place called Sporting Hill, situated between four and five miles from the river and three mils from Oyster Point. The rebels were in the woods. Two New York regiments were deployed as skirmishers, and engaged the rebels for nearly an hour. Artillery was used on both sides, the rebels only firing some half a dozen shells. At last the rebels gave way, and were driven back by our forces, who took occasion to follow them up sharply.
Lieutenant William Crabbe, of the Thirty-seventh New York, was slightly wounded in the neck. Thomas Wiswell, a drummer boy, received a flesh wound in the leg; he also belonged to the Thirty-seventh. Owens, of the Thirty-seventh New York received a slight scratch from a piece of shell over the eye. There were one or two others wounded, but I could not get their names. One of them was wounded in the hand.
SKIRMISH NEAR OYSTER POINT.
OYSTER POINT, Pa., June 30 — Evening.
This point has been to-day of all others the centre of attraction; and although it has been thus prominent, the neighborhood has been very unexpectedly quiet.
At an early hour this morning our cavalry made a charge on a few rebel pickets and scouts that were stationed here, wounding and capturing one. The enemy’s cavalry then fell back.
After this we remained passive for some time, waiting for the rebels to open the expected engagement preliminary to a direct attack on the Harrisburg fortifications; but though we waited no enemy appeared in sight. Our suspicions were aroused, and we at once determined to ascertain the facts, and skirmishers were sent out. They consisted of dismounted cavalry men. These advanced a mile without meeting anything to impede their progress. They questioned all persons whom they met by the way side, and these told them not over fifty mounted rebels had been seen to pass, slowly retreating westward.
On being apprised of these facts one squadron of cavalry advanced, yet met no opposing forces. They discovered two citizens who just came through from Mechanicsburg. These citizens said there was not over one thousand rebels between Carlisle and their most advanced position towards Harrisburg. The information thus given by these gentlemen was confirmed by reports from different sources late in the day, and are even at this particular time, believed to be true.
With this force of one thousand mounted men the rebels have from two to four pieces of artillery, rifled, and said to be guns captured at Winchester or somewhere in that neighborhood.
During the afternoon our cavalry went out a distance of four miles from Oyster Point. They were informed that this morning the rebels had nothing but a few pickets or a very small force of mounted men at Mechanicksburg.
Thus end our military operations for to-day. It is a sad sight now to look at Cumberland valley, in the neighborhood of Bridgeport. Where once were fine fields, orchards, little cots and the luxurious family mansion is now every evidence of war. Fields where wheat and corn and clover grew in abundance are now trodden down by the feet of the grim visaged warrior. For a long distance on the Pike and other roads people have left their homes, and furniture and family articles for various uses even lay by the way side.
Some entertain the opinion here to-night that General Ewell is only withdrawing his forces to make a junction with General Early, then, with their respective commands, to again advance and attack the Harrisburg fortifications.
I give this for what it is worth. There are others who think the crisis is over entirely; so these conclusions are on too slight a base to meet my idea of the present state of affairs.
We were informed from rebel sources that a force of Union cavalry attacked the rebels somewhere near Papertown, and drove them, with a loss of some consequence. To-night there is a very hopeful spirit with our generals on this side of the Susquehanna. The troops, too, feel well, and laugh and sing as though death never had a sting.
The New York troops have one peculiarity. They are making sad havoc among the fruit trees of the valley and the preserves of the farmers. These they confiscate under the war power. I must telegraph one thing for the poor soldier who has endured so much fatigue, ill fortune and abuse. These people — the Pennsylvanians — whom they have come out to defend and protect in their property and perhaps all that is near and dear to them, are charging them the highest prices for what they must have to eat and even to wear. Is this gratitude?
This evening a consultation was held between the Superintendent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad and General Smith relative to resuming railroad communication on the road. Don’t this look as though some one had confidence in a clear military sky? This movement is really one little bright star in the firmament of our present troubles.
Messrs. Johnson, Gilmore and Wilson have been assigned to an important duty in looking after telegraphic communication in the valley.