June 18, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Harrisburg Correspondence.
HARRISBURG, June 16, 1863.
GOVERNOR CURTIN AND HIS PRESENT ACTION.
I called upon the Governor this morning at seven o’clock, and found him at the Executive chamber looking wearied and disappointed. He is resigned to the fate that awaits the capital of the glorious old Commonwealth of which he is the Executive. He has done everything that lay in his power to avert the dreaded blow. He has importuned and pleaded with the War Department to no avail. He has repeatedly warned the Cabinet of what might be expected, and his advice has never been hearkened unto. It is well to state, though, that, now that the raiders are in such close proximity, he bears up courageously and manfully, and will not desert his post until the last hope has been extinguished. Never had the people greater confidence in his wisdom, devotion and courage, and even political enemies, now present at the capital, in attendance upon the proposed Democratic Convention, testify to his eminent fitness, and sympathize with him in this to him dire calamity.
GENERAL DEPRESSION AND PANIC IN THE CITY.
Most of the stores in the city are closed, the markets deserted and private residences abandoned. The streets present much the same appearance that they do upon Sunday or fast day. The people are standing in knots, conversing upon the probable fate in store for them. Much speculation exists but very little excitement. Those who can are leaving, and already many have taken advantage of public and private conveyances to leave the city. The large hotels look as if stricken with a plague, the regular boarders having vamoosed. The Jones House, the finest hotel here, was offered by its proprietor this morning for sale. He was willing to accept the moderate sum of $16,000, but could find no purchaser even at that price. The hotel and furniture cost nearly one hundred thousand dollars, yet no one appears willing to take the risk upon such apparently advantageous terms.
PACKING UP THE STATE DOCUMENTS.
I found a large force of assistants this morning in the various offices of the Capitol, busily employed packing up archives, reports, State library and other valuable papers. The original charter of the State and other prized papers, together with the portraits of the different Governors, have already been forwarded. Wein Forney, Esq., State Librarian, left at one o’clock P.M., with the valuable contribution of books belonging to the State. There is haste, but everything is being done orderly. The calm coolness of the Governor does much to keep down undue excitement, and his example is felt by the people.
NEW YORK’S OFFERING.
A despatch was received here today from Governor Seymour, offering the services of twenty regiments for the defence of Pennsylvania from the State of New York. This sympathy on the part of Governor Seymour is highly appreciated by the citizens. Troops are expected to arrive here today from Elmira.
THE OBJECT OF THE RAIDERS is thought to be the tapping of the Pennsylvania Central road between this city and Lancaster. The Pennsylvania Central has another branch between the Columbia road between the two cities. This would not destroy the communication between Philadelphia and the capital, as the Reading road, by means of their branch, the Lebanon Valley, connect the two cities. The raiders, then, if that be their object, will have to proceed some distance up the Lebanon valley to do any great damage to that road. If they do destroy the Lebanon Valley road it will put a stop to any further travel between this and New York.
THE CALL FOR McCLELLAN TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE FORCES.
Gen. McClellan is everywhere talked of as the only man capable to thwart the rebels in their late movements. Gen. Cameron, late Secretary of War, made a speech last evening eulogizing that officer in no measured terms. He was terribly severe in his strictures upon the War Department. He was of the opinion that if General McClellan was to head the militia the people would flock as one man to his support. General McClellan’s name was loudly cheered at every mention, and his popularity among the people was never so great as at present. His open enemies now admit his ability and his capacity to drive the rebel horde from out the borders of his native State. Everywhere I hear the exclamation, “Oh, give us McClellan and we will whip the rebels.” “He will come to the rescue of Pennsylvania” is a hope loudly expressed. If the government could but witness the enthusiastic hope his name creates he would be ordered here immediately.
WHAT THE REBELS ARE DOING.
This raid, in its conception and execution, surpasses anything yet attempted or performed by them. They are penetrating through a rich valley, helping themselves to whatever they please, and behave with unusual forbearance to the inhabitants, not disturbing them or injuring their private property.
The match is ready to put Carlisle barracks and other government property in flames.
The rebels were reported to be at Shippensburg, in Cumberland county, this morning.
TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION STILL OPEN WITH GETTYSBURG.
The following despatch was received this morning,–
About one o’clock A.M. I asked operator at Hanover Junction if he was in communication with Hanover, and he replied he was in communication with both Hanover and Gettysburg. I asked if he had any news, and he replied he had not, as the scout went out from Gettysburg and had not returned. I think our line is down between York and Hanover Junction now. I will send men out to examine.
THE STARS AND STRIPES STILL AFLOAT.
The American flag is flying from the flagstaff upon the Capitol this morning. Its folds gracefully flutter in the pleasant breeze that is stirring. Many are looking upon it with feelings akin to worship. It may be that this will be the last day it will ever float from the present Capitol, and the feelings of the community can be better imagined than described.
THE REBEL.
J. WALKER JACKSON, a distinguished Methodist minister, and severely denounced by the Richmond Whig for his stirring addresses in favor of the Union, has been advised by Governor Curtin and other prominent gentlemen to leave. This Mr. Jackson firmly declines to do. He has sent his family to a place of safety, but says that he will abide the issue, and awaits his fate with as much nonchalance as it is capable in one man to express.
“DON’T BE SCARED.”
The following I send you as I find it, issued in the form of a circular this morning. It is, being attentively read and commented upon by large numbers of the citizens: –
DON’T BE SCARED.
We are ashamed of the cowardice exhibited by the […..]” people of Harrisburg. We looked to them for an example of courage and coolness, and have been disappointed. We now appeal to the citizens to keep cool and make at least a show of courage. There are enough of us to drive off any rebel army likely to make its appearance – and besides, we have just been assured by Gen. Cameron that there will be ten thousand troops here in the course of the day. New York has tendered a whole division. Be brave! Keep cool, and all will be well.
GENERAL CAMERON is at present immensely popular, and his speech in favor of McClellan and Franklin will do much towards securing the latter’s nomination for the governorship by the democratic hosts tomorrow. I said the proposed meeting of the convention tomorrow; permit me to explain. The convention will, in case the rebs arrive tonight, have no place wherein to hold their meeting, as the court house, State Capitol and other buildings suitable, will, in all probability, have been destroyed. The members as yet express no intention of meeting elsewhere, but it may yet prove a necessity. William H. Witte, the more prominent of the candidates, is here. He expresses great confidence as to his being the nominee of the party, but Franklin’s chances are decidedly favorable from the causes named.
PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE REBELS – WHO COMMANDS THEM.
There are many people who profess to despise and doubt the credence of the reports concerning this raid. They are of opinion that is a ruse of the government to induce enlistments. If they were here their doubts would soon be removed by witnessing the stern preparations being made, and the realities of war, as it is variously exhibited through fear and other ways. Col. George H. Davidson, of Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, near the scene of the raid, estimates the rebel force to be between five and seven thousand cavalry, supported by two batteries of artillery under command of Generals Imboden and Jones. A strong light was seen on Sunday night beyond Greencastle, which gave rise to the report of that place being in flames, but is now attributed to the rebel camp fires.
THE HON. THOMAS A. SCOTT, late Assistant Secretary of War, who left Philadelphia in a special train for Washington, arrived here Monday. He has placed the resources of the Pennsylvania road at the command of General Couch. Colonel Scott’s vast experience is of great service to the State at this moment. He is being seconded in his endeavors by the energetic assistant upon the Philadelphia end, G. C. Franciscus, Esq., and upon these gentlemen will devolve the necessity of providing transportation for troops.
CARLISLE BARRACKS TO BE BLOWN UP.
The following despatch was received from Carlisle: –
CARLISLE, June 16, 1863.
If we cannot defend the approaches to the town we will blow up the arsenal and barracks, and retire fighting.
ROUTE OF THE REBELS – A SKIRMISH.
Another despatch received, dated Shippensburg, says: –
The enemy is near here. He is avoiding the towns and passing north and east by the roads and through the fields. Cavalry is only believed to be near us. It is reported that the First Michigan cavalry met the rebels yesterday and gave them battle, dividing them, one part of the rebels leading off towards Broad Top, in Huntington county.
THE REBEL GUIDES – GEN. MILROY’S TRAIN.
The opinion is unanimous here that the raiders have experienced guides, well posted in the topography of the country, and their movements indicate that some of the natives of the country are with them in this raid. General Milroy wagon train arrived this morning with two companies of his late command. Their march has been a very severe one, and their hardships of an almost endurable characters.
A train arrived here at half-past eleven o’clock in the morning, bringing what troops were stationed there, four pieces of artillery and a considerable baggage train.
The Post Office is closed, but a notice states that it will be opened again at one o’clock in the afternoon.
Both of the express companies decline to receive any more freight or receipt for any more packages. The excitement is greatly on the increase and the populace much more alarmed, and hundreds of families are leaving.