June 27, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Harrisburg Correspondence.
HARRISBURG, June 25, 1863.
I regret to say that General Couch has been compelled to issue orders restricting the privileges of correspondents. He feels aggrieved, and, though desirous of affording every means of information to the representatives of the various papers; is certain that some advantage has been taken of the liberties afforded them whereby the enemy has been benefited. The
HERALD CORRESPONDENTS are not blamed; but, while they will be afforded their usual facilities, they are debarred from visiting rooms that were heretofore open to their inspection. This is generally lamented by the various officials here and the several correspondents; but it is a matter of small moment to the HERALD force, who have unusual facilities in the securing of every important item that may transpire, from the fact that the HERALD never gives ‘aid and comfort” to the enemy by publishing any other information than what is strictly legitimate. You have very rightly suppressed news that I sent you, for which General Couch has expressed his thanks; and, while it was unimportant as to details, it was calculated to give our foes information which it is desirable they should not be made acquainted with. The various
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS here are in excellent hands, that of the State particularly so, and Governor Curtin may be congratulated upon the able assistants he has drawn around him. His Adjutant General, A. L. Russell, is a splendid looking man, standing some six feet in height, and is as quick in his movements as the most alert schoolboy you ever saw. He transacts a great deal of business of the most arduous description daily, answers the begging importunities of scores of needy applicants for commands, organizes squads, companies and regiments, and yet preserves an equability of temper that is really delightful to witness. I of course am thrown a great deal in contact with these officers, and I feel that men who hare so poorly repaid for their time and attention deserve some public notice, and there is no way to so thoroughly accomplish this as through the HERALD. The Chief of Transportation and Telegraphic Communication here is
MAJOR C.M. SEES, an accomplished, able officer, who is never at a loss for something to do. How he finds time to accomplish so much is a mystery; but the graceful courtesy with which he receives visitors and dispenses his various duties surprises me more.
GREY RESERVES OF PHILADELPHIA.
I was in the Executive Chamber this morning when Colonel Smith, of the Reserves; Captain J. D. Keyses, Captain Starr, Major Nicholson and Quartermaster Sergeant R. Rundle Smith came in to see the Governor – I do not know what number of times this makes – about what was to be done for the “Reserves.” The Governor received them politely and asked them to be seated. I could see by his manner that he desired more […..] private” interviews. Consequently I remained. The Colonel inquired if anything definite had been come to in regard to their regiment.
The Governor said, “I explained fully to you, gentlemen, that I have no power to accept you other than as ordered, and place you upon the same footing with other regiments. What is the disposition of your regiment?”
This the committee could not answer until they held another consultation with them.
The Colonel asked it would be possible to […..] muster them in for sixty days?”
“Would you accept it absolutely and without reserve?” inquired the Executive.
“The difficulty then would be,” said spokesman Sergeant Smith, […..] each man is yet to be asked.”
The Governor smilingly replied, “I cannot see the difference between sixty days and the emergency.”
Colonel Smith spoke […..] definite periods, and their having none when they left home.”
“I will muster you, then, for ninety days,” replied Governor Curtin.
“Is it your order?” quoth Colonel or Major.
“No order about it.”
“I came to tender the regiment, Governor,” remarked the Colonel.
In the meantime a messenger despatched to General Couch returned with an answer from the General that he could only accept them in the regular way; that he had no authority to receive them in any other. While the messenger was absent I thought I detected a shadow of sorrow or pain, or perhaps it was fear, the glimmered over their otherwise handsome, intelligent countenances. There were sundry questions put to his Excellency in regard to their not being supplied with suitable arms and needing sundry other trifles too numerous to mention. The Executive said they should all be furnished, and while the Governor, his aids and a score or two of anxious citizens were congratulating themselves that Philadelphia and the State would not be disgraced, then it was that the messenger returned with the above reply.
Colonel Smith at once arose and said, “We have arrived at the point for which we came; we have nothing further to say as yet.”
Governor Curtin advised them in a friendly way upon what he would be glad they would do.
Quartermaster Sergeant Rundle Smith wanted to know if they would be counted in the muster from the day they started from Philadelphia; whether they would be provided with hospital stores, &c; whether they could by any means be mustered into Hooker’s army.
To these questions the Governor answered separately in the affirmative and negative, and further told them in these words with a very distinct emphasis, “You are not, and will not go, out of the Department of the Susquehanna.”
The party departed to enjoy their clam chowder, cold cut, boiled lamb or spring chicken, at their elegant retreat a mile or two north of the city. I rode out to see them in the afternoon, and called upon the
BLUE RESERVES, a regiment fully their equals in wealth, respectability and station. They, too, were from the City of Brotherly Love, and were getting ready to march. Their Colonel (Taylor) was an old friend, and I took the liberty of calling upon him to make a few inquiries. He said his men were eager to go. They felt the city from which they came was being disgraced by the action of the other regiment. It would be their aim and duty to wipe out that stain by renewed energy and devotion upon their part, and all the bravery they possessed would be called into action on their part. This gallant organization left to-night, to take their place alongside of the gallant sons of the Empire State, in the very front, where danger and trial are to meet them, but where honor and glory will surely follow them. I have written thus fully in order to give the thousands of the HERALD readers an opportunity of getting at the facts. Every honorable person amongst the many who will read this will probably blush at the shame this action has caused; but they will rejoice at knowing that there is no quibble, no screen to cover public opinion, and but one sentiment will follow this course; and what that judgment is I forbear to mention.
CAMP CURTIN – CONTRABANDS.
Camp Curtin looks deserted; but few troops are there, and those to come will probably be encamped upon the other side of the river, amid scenes more warlike than the surroundings here.
Vast numbers of ebony colored children are daily arriving in the city – some destitute, others again more fortunate. Their rendezvous is in a section of the city denominated “Smoky Hollow.” I have not visited it, and therefore can give you no idea of the scenes being enacted there.
GENERALS ANDREW PORTER AND FRANKLIN are both here, and will be ready, in case of emergency, to unsheath their swords in defence of their State and country. The crowd of position hunters is thinning out. The Governor has nothing to offer or give them, and they are gradually falling away, making room for fresh comers and their friends to try their abilities as urgent coaxers and bores.
EXTORTIONISTS.
Through the expose made in the columns of various papers, the class of people who have robbed the gallant soldier – who was hastening to their protection – of his dollars, have hauled in their horns considerably. When the city was in danger the offered their goods and wares at any sacrifice – were willing to take whatever was offered. But with the feeling of security came that of sordid huckstering, and never have traders, some at least, exerted their callings upon more truly Shylock principles.