June 27, 1863, The New York Herald
Carlisle Not in Possession of the Enemy.
Gettysburg Occupied by the Rebels in Force.
The Harrisburg Telegrams.
HARRISBURG, June 26, 1863.
The rebel advance in this direction still continues at a stand still in the vicinity of Carlisle. Telegraphic communication is open with the town up to the present.
General Knipe, deeming his forces not strong enough to meet the enemy, evacuated Carlisle last night.
General Knipe reports that the rebels are advancing ten thousand strong.
A skirmish is reported near Bloody run, between the column under General Milroy and the enemy.
In the skirmish at Bloody run to-day Milroy lost no men. It was a dash upon the enemy.
The citizens were aroused from their slumbers this morning by another scare that the Philistines were then approaching. Matters are becoming more quiet.
General W. F. Smith commands the forces concentrated on the south bank of the Susquehanna in this vicinity.
Work on the fortifications still progresses. The citizens are nearly all organized and ready to turn out with the military for the defence of the city when the opportunity arrives. Several meetings are called for to-night to perfect local organizations.
The citizens of this city are busily organizing into companies, to serve in the rifle pits and intrenchments.
Among the military arrivals to-day were about one hundred and fifty men for the Twenty-third regiment New York State Militia.
A battery of four companies of heavy artillery, of one hundred and twenty men each, arrived here from Rochester N.Y., last evening. They have enlisted for three years or the war.
Colonel Pierce has been assigned to the command of the troops at Bloody run, General Milroy having been relieved.
General Dana has been assigned to the command of the defences of Philadelphia.
It is just reported that Hookerright wing is in the vicinity of Hagerstown.
It has rained for the last eighteen hours incessantly, and the friendly showers are still steadily falling. The Susquehanna has already risen twenty inches, and is expected soon to be an impassable barrier to the advance of an army. Large droves of cattle forded the river yesterday.
No communication is passing between this point and Pittsburg. But one wire is working, and that is by way of Philadelphia, and consequently the West is deprived of all information from this point.
I learn by the evening train that the excitement at Pittsburg continues unabated, and troops are being rapidly organized all over the Department of the Monongahela for the defence of the State.
A report went over the wires last night reflecting upon Colonel Coppee. This gentleman has assumed an arduous position, and it is his endeavor to deal out intelligence that will not benefit the enemy. So far as the HERALD corps is concerned, with Colonel Coppee’s action they have nothing to complain of.
The city is very quiet under the present extraordinary circumstances, and the constant rain gives it a gloomy aspect.
The drinking houses were all closed this morning, in obedience to the Mayor’s proclamation.
Many of the dry goods stores are also closed.
Large numbers of refugees continue to arrive from the valley.
Hon. Thomas a. Scott arrived here to-day. His business was altogether of a private nature in New York.
Dr. W. Frank Swaim, of the Sanitary commission, has provided all possible means to extend aid to the needy in event of an action.
The propriety of proclaiming marital law is seriously considered, but the matter has not yet been definitely decided.
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 26 – 9 P.M.
Hundreds of horses are being driven over the bridges of the Susquehanna, followed by men, women and children, the defenceless inhabitants of Cumberland valley.
Governor Curtin has received information that the rebels occupied Gettysburg to-day with ten regiments of infantry, and with cavalry and artillery.
The operator at Gettysburg, while sending the despatch to General Couch, was forced to leave before finishing it, to avoid capture.
It is believed that this force intends to strike the Northern Central Railroad, either at Hanover Junction or York, which is distant about thirty miles.
The Governor has also received information that the rebels held all the passes of South Mountain.
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 26 – 11 P.M.
It has rained all day, and the river is rising.
The rebel force which occupied Gettysburg to-day was the division of General Early, belonging to Longstreet’s corps.
This makes two corps which are supposed to have crossed the Potomac.
The troops of Longstreet are supposed to have crossed at Shepherdstown Ford.
When Gen. Rhodes’ division of Ewell’s corps arrived at Chambersburg, the operator was unable to escape. He remained until Wednesday, when he made his escape by the way of Loudon to the Pennsylvania Railroad and arrived here to-day.
They numbered about twelve thousand, and had five batteries, with a long rain of wagons and ambulances. All the officers wore new uniforms which had no doubt been sent to Hagerstown by rebel sympathizers in anticipation of their arrival.
When he left General Johnson’s division, belonging to the same corps, was within six miles of the town. The soldiers believed they were going to Harrisburg, and were very anxious to know how far off it was.
The enemy have made no effort to occupy Carlisle to-day, although they were encamped within four miles of the town.
At headquarters to-night they inform me that the rebels appear to be concentrating in the mountain passes of the Blue Ridge and its spurs. They seem to fear advancing with Hooker in their rear; but are living on the country which they now occupy.
Proper precautions have been taken to secure the railroad bridges from a sudden descent from the enemy.
Two rebel cavalry, taken yesterday, near Chambersburg, report the rebels advancing, under General Ewell, into Pennsylvania with twenty-eight regimens of infantry, five thousand cavalry and twenty pieces of artillery, chiefly heavy guns, and that they send out small parties to bring in live stock. A column, six thousand strong, was sent to Mercersburg, with eight pieces of cannon. Half of them have marched to McConnellsburg. Some of the border men are reported sympathetic.