June 17, 1863, The New York Herald
The latest official news concerning the rebel raid into Pennsylvania was received by the government last night from Governor Curtin. It states that the rebels had made no progress toward Harrisburg and Scotland, within seven miles of Shippensburg, where we had strong works, and were prepared to give them battle. Governor Curtin says that the people are rising handsomely for the defence of the State. As late as ten o’clock last night the telegraph offices at Carlisle and Shippensburg were in full operation, the rebels not having made their appearance up to that time. Every confidence was felt that Harrisburg could be defended if attacked.
Our advices from Harrisburg at one o’clock yesterday report that one hundred wagons of General Milroy’s force had just arrived there. The rebel advance yesterday morning was five miles east of Chambersburg. The reports that General Milroy lost all his wagons, tents, &c., are consequently untrue.
It was officially known in Washington last night that the rebels had not then made an attack on Harper’s Ferry, although they were in considerable force at Charlestown, only eight miles distant.
The advance of General Hooker’s army from Falmouth to its present position was attended by severe labors, owing to the intense heat and the drying up of the springs and rivulets on the route. It was believed in Washington yesterday that the rebel raid would not extend any farther than its present point, and that Hooker might possibly intercept the returning troops of General Lee.
Heavy firing was heard in the direction of Centreville yesterday, indicating some fighting between the two armies. It was rumored last night that the rebels had crossed the Rappahannock to the north side, and then occupied the camps just vacated by Gen. Hooker.
The most intense excitement, as might be expected, pervaded the whole of Pennsylvania yesterday. Mass meetings were held at different points, Harrisburg, Pittsburg, &c. At Harrisburg Simon Cameron made a speech, in which he denounced the administration as reckless and disgraceful in its neglect of Pennsylvania. He argued that Gen. McClellan or Gen. Franklin should be appointed to the command of the militia to protect the State.
The people of Philadelphia are actively employed in preparing to resist the invasion. At a meeting of the Bounty Fund Committee yesterday it was resolved that ten dollars, in addition to the government pay, be appropriated for each officer and private of every military company organized in Philadelphia and received into the service of the State or of the United States, provided that said amount hereby appropriated shall not exceed the sum of $150,000. The bank presidents have tendered the Governor a loan of a million of dollars to aid in raising and equipping a force to repel the invaders. The Mayor calls upon the citizens to proceed to Harrisburg to check the advancing foe, and says that the honor and safety of Philadelphia are at stake.
Governor Parker, of New Jersey, has issued a proclamation, calling for volunteers to assist his brethren in Pennsylvania.
Governor Pierpont, of Western Virginia, also calls upon the people of that new State to turn out and defend their firesides.
The military excitement in this city, consequent on the orders issued for the departure of the militia to Philadelphia, was also intense. The troops, however, did not leave, and from the more favorable tone of the news received least night their presence at Harrisburg may not be immediately required, wherever else their services may be demanded.
The latest news from Vicksburg and Port Hudson is up to the 12th inst. It reports no change. The siege of Vicksburg was going on favorable, and as General Grant and General Banks are now in close communication, it is presumed that affairs at Port Hudson continue to progress equally well.