June 20, 1863, The New York Herald
DETAILS OF THE REBEL MOVEMENTS.
Our Shippensburg Correspondence.
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa., June 17 – A.M.
Eleven miles from this place is Chambersburg, and for a considerable distance in advance of the latter place and towards this locality are rebel pickets, videttes and foraging and scouting parties. Hence we are in what, in reality, may be termed a delicate if not dangerous position. At any moment our restless foe may dash in here, and that, too, with perfect impunity, for all the resistance he is like, from present indications and manifestations, to meet with. To add to the excitement, the Cumberland Valley Railroad has ceased to extend its trains of communication further than Oakville, thereby debarring the public generally form that point down (including this one) from communication with Harrisburg. As a consequence of this state of affairs rumors of all kinds are rife, and much speculation is indulged in regarding public and private affairs at the present two extremes – Harrisburg and Chambersburg.
The scenes about town are not over and above exciting, nor are they positively interesting. Pedestrians are constantly going and coming from the direction of Chambersburg, and with their many stories help to enliven life in what would otherwise be a dull town to the stranger newly arrived and simply seeking for information. There is also another class of persons who are constantly going in and out of town, and these bring us much valuable information – they are mounted citizens, farmers of good understanding, both as regards their intrinsic wealth and general appearance.
Writing of the town reminds me that perhaps the reader would like to have me describe it. I will do so, but briefly. It is a place of some considerable size, but not of remarkably pleasant appearance. The natural scenery that surrounds it is lofty and beautiful. Mountains and valleys are, in fact, a general feature. The people are pleasant and communicative. They seem to be terribly loyal; but they don’t like the idea of having the rebels carry off their live stock. As for the negroes that are being sent South, I hear but little sympathy expressed: in fact, very often remarks directly to the contrary. The reports in circulation about the […..] ” of the rebels at Chambersburg has a great tendency to modify the people’s rage and fear. Of those that are counted the majority of them are armed with pistols. Both men and women want Governor Curtin to send down an armed force sufficient to drive the rebels back into Maryland, and insist on affirming that the rebels will not leave Chambersburg until such time as they are driven out, never pausing to reflect that the rebels will have to fall back if our government only orders proper and effective moves in other directions.
Yesterday afternoon the rebels evidently expected that we would attack them. They lay nearly all day under arms in line of battle in an open field. I am not certain that they did not have an idea that they would be compelled to fall back. Else what means this raid (for now it seems to be a movement of that character) without artillery, and with little if any baggage or subsistence supply train. That the rebels were after General Milroy’s supply train, which reached Harrisburg last night, is true beyond doubt. All the way on their route along the rebel officers kept inquiring how far the train was ahead of them, and in more than one instance gave the Yankees credit for the remarkable facility with which they executed their retreat. These officers seemed to be much chagrined when they found that their prey had eluded even their most active vigilance.
The negroes in this part of the country are greatly alarmed. Crowds of them have left, and many more are fast following in their illustrious footsteps. Their tread towards Harrisburg is quickened rather than delayed by the practical jokes and strange, foundationless stories that are conveyed to their ears at the instance of young and old […..] faces.” Many of the farmers speak of the negroes as though they were the cause of all the present troubles in this particular neighborhood. These farmers say the rebels have only made a raid for horses and negroes; and now that they (the farmers) have lost so many of the former they do not seem to care how soon the latter […..] up and git” either one way or the other – North or South. They are not unkind to the darkies; but they do treat them with none of that respect which people would be likely to imagine existed in this part of the State of Pennsylvania.
I cannot but help admire the courage of these, our Northern women. They are not near as excited as the men are. They sit quietly at home abiding results, while their more excitable sons, husbands or brothers are mounted, galloping from one point to another, gathering little knots of eager and excited listeners, and cleaning, capping and cocking their pistols. Again, not a few of the masculines seem determined to make a hasty fortune for the exclusive benefit of hotel keepers, who have added to their other accommodations for the welcome guest the luxury of a bar. Notwithstanding there is a good deal of drinking and good fellowship generally, there is no drunkenness, nor are there any general disputes. The fact of the matter is, it will not do to get drunk when there is a general and perhaps a momentary expectancy of a visit from the present unwelcome occupants of Chambersburg.