June 20, 1863, The New York Herald
DETAILS OF THE REBEL MOVEMENTS.
Our Greencastle Correspondence.
GREENCASTLE, Pa., ELEVEN MILES FROM HAGERSTOWN,
June 17, 1863.
At one o’clock today the rebel column commenced to pass through this place rather leisurely. One of the commanding officers gave notice that the town would be burned in less than five hours if the citizens did not deliver up a number of negroes – some thirty – who were captured the day previous, while being conveyed South under rebel guard. This guard comprised four soldiers, only two of whom were armed. As soon as the train with the negroes came into town the people surrounded it and took the captured ones away. The negroes were delighted beyond all measure at their fortunate delivery. Of the delivered party a large proportion were mere children. The rebel guard was locked up in jail. The rebels, on their return to Greencastle, demanded the immediate delivery up of the soldiers, and threatened immediate destruction to all property if their request was not instantly complied with. Several of the more prominent citizens got together as soon as they could, and in a very short period of time the prisoners were released and went on their way rejoicing. The question then occurred as to the captured negroes. The rebels offered to take $50,000 in gold or silver if the negroes could not be found. They at last came down to $25,000 in greenbacks. Up to this time the negroes are still […..] wanting” and the rebels, have not carried out their threat to burn the town, nor is it at all likely they will do anything of the kind.
At this time the rebel force is encamped two miles out of town, to the southward. They passed through here with thirty heavily laden wagons. They had a large quantity of provisions (flour and coffee) and forage (hay and oats) among their plunder; also very many fine horses. They say they have captured a great deal of horse property. They had no artillery with them, but assert that their artillery and infantry force is with General Rhodes.
Yesterday one of their couriers was captured by a returned nine months volunteer named Stickler. Mr. S. is a brave fellow. When the courier was passing, Stickler rushed out into the street, and unarmed, dragged the courier down off his horse. The courier was well armed. The captor then opened the courier’s despatches. They showed that General Jenkins was somewhat alarmed for the safety of his command. He was communicating with General Rhodes, and believed the Union forces to be in large numbers in his front. Mr. Stickler took away the arms of the prisoner, jumped on the latter’s horse, and marched the unfortunate one in this way out of town to the mountains, where he has now got him safely in custody.
One of the rebel officers behaved very gallantly to the wife of Captain Clayton, a well known scouting officer in the Union army. The rebel officer presented Mrs. Clayton, whom he found stopping at the hotel, with a beautiful horse that he had stolen. He told her to keep it in remembrance of one Confederate who would respect the wife of a brave officer whom he appreciated.
The report of the burning of Greencastle originated from the fact of the rebels having fired the railroad depot here. The fire could be seen for miles. Only three buildings were destroyed, together with some wood and a water tank.
The stores were not plundered. Some soldiers broke into one store and were conveying off the goods, when they were observed in this act by one of their own officers. The officers cleared them out of the place and had the store shut up. The soldiers scattered the goods about pretty freely, but did not carry much of value away.
In consequence of the rebels having threatened to burn the town, the sick were removed to houses out of town. A piteous sight was beheld in the removal of one young lady who was very low with typhoid fever.
The principal part of the male inhabitants have slept in the woods since the commencement of these troubles.
While the rebel force was at Chambersburg the rebel generals kept up almost hourly communication by means of couriers. After the capture of the courier the next one went through the town revolver in hand and cocked.
The railroad has been destroyed five miles this side of Chambersburg. The damage is so slight that it can be repaired in a few hours.
Just as the rebels were passing out of here, a few hours ago, they set fire to a large warehouse. The fire was soon extinguished by the citizens. In the warehouse were fifty thousand bushels of government oats. Had the rebels known this they would have fired the house more effectually.
Many of the ladies here left town with their children, and are scattered in various directions.
The people are kept to a constant state of excitement by the variable reports which reach them about Union and rebel successes.
We hear at this time that the rebels have not done any material damage at Hagerstown.