June 29, 1863, The New York Herald
The enemy is pressing closely upon Harrisburg. General Lee’s whole army is undoubtedly in Pennsylvania. His own headquarters are at Hagerstown, Maryland, from which he is directing the movements. General Longstreet’s corps crossed the river at Williamsport on Saturday. A great battle is impending at Harrisburg today. Last night the rebels were within three miles of the city, and heavy firing was going on all day. This was probably the outposts skirmishing as the enemy advanced. Mechanicsburg was surrendered by our troops yesterday morning, and immediately occupied by the rebels. They also took possession of York, our troops clearing out before them. They have done serious damage to the Northern Central Railroad, both at York and Hanover Junction. They have burned two bridges at York Haven. The splendid bridge across the Susquehanna, at Columbia, a mile an a quarter long, which cost a million of dollars, was burned by our own troops, under Colonel Frick, yesterday, who, after making a bold defence in his rifle pits at Wrightsville, on the south side of the river, was compelled to retreat across the bridge, which he burned behind him. He lost a hundred men, who were captured by the enemy. At last accounts the rebels were shelling Wrightsville without warning the inhabitants to leave. The rebels were reported to be at Bainbridge last night, twelve miles above Columbia, with pontoon trains sufficient to construct a bridge. We give a map of the whole region today.
The utmost consternation prevails throughout the State of Pennsylvania, and at last there appears to be a disposition on the part of the people to rally for their defence. Companies are arming and turning out at Lancaster, Norristown and Scranton. Fugitives, however, keep pouring into Harrisburg, Lancaster and other cities, in a state of complete terror, bringing their cattle, merchandise and household goods with them.
The rebel General Ewell has issued an order to his troops at Chambersburg urging the necessity of vigilance and discipline for the safety of the army, and prohibiting all straggling, marauding or plundering on pain of the severest penalties. He says that all the material which the army requires will be taken under the military rules which govern civilized warfare, and absolutely prohibits all individual interference with private property.
The news from the Army of the Potomac is cheering, and will no doubt be welcomed by the public. General Joe Hooker has been relieved of the command of the army – at his own request, it is said – and he is succeeded by Major General George Meade, a brave and experienced officer, who as made his mark in nearly all the battles in which the Potomac army has been engaged since the commencement of the war. We give a sketch of General Meade’s career in another column.
General Hooker and General Meade have both issued addresses to the army from headquarters at Frederick, the one taking farewell and the other on assuming command.
A large train of wagons and pack mules, while on their way on the Upper Potomac to bring down supplies yesterday morning, were attacked by the rebels three several times. In the two first attempts the cavalry escort repulsed the enemy; but as the train approached Rockville an immense force of the rebels, consisting of two regiments of cavalry and several pieces of artillery, who occupy that place, surrounded them, and captured the whole train of one hundred and fifty wagons and nine hundred mules. Several officers, who were on their way to join their regiments, were also captured. A large number of rebel cavalry, under command of Fitzhugh Lee, yesterday made a dash into Annandale, capturing several sutlers who were in the vicinity, and burning a number of hospital stores, sutlers’ wagons, &c. All the papers found in the neighborhood were gathered up and burned. The sutlers’ goods were taken off.
A rebel force, which is said to be seven thousand strong, and composed of three brigades of cavalry, is reported to be moving eastward towards the Washington branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. They are reported to be commanded by Fitzhugh Lee. It has been ascertained that they passed within fourteen miles of Washington, on the north side, and it is presumed that they are striking for the trestle work upon the railroad between the capital and Annapolis Junction.
Refugees who arrived yesterday report that quite a panic exists in Richmond. Only a very small guard was left there, and many of the citizens were leaving and going to Staunton. This would seem to indicate that the Richmond people are rather uneasy at the almost total abandonment of that city by the rebel forces.
From General Dix’s department we learn by a despatch from Fortress Monroe, that Colonel Spear, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, completely destroyed the bridge over the South Anna, captured General W.F.H. Lee, Colonel Hearsable, four captains, five lieutenants and one hundred privates. He brought in thirty-five wagons, with six mules each, and one hundred and fifty mules in addition, and from seventy-five to one hundred horses. He took fifteen thousand dollars in Confederate bonds, just issued from an agent of the authorities at Richmond, all public property. No private property has been touched. Colonel Spear’s loss is three killed and eight wounded.
We give today a full and most interesting account of the late capture of the Caleb Cushing by the gallant Portlanders, including a history of the Tacony and her exploits, her officers and her fate. The steamship Blackstone, which went in search of the Tacony, returned to this port yesterday. She found no trace of the privateer, but fell in with a British bark on the 22d, which had been boarded by the Tacony on the same day. The weather was foggy, and thus the Blackstone may have passed the privateer on her track without observing her.
The news from General Rosecrans’ department is encouraging. A despatch to the Nashville Union says that a force of federal troops captured three thousand of Bragg’s rebels on Saturday passing through Hoover’s Gap. Colonel Wilder’s mounted infantry made a splendid dash into Manchester, Tennessee, capturing a large number of rebels.
The Chattanooga Rebel of Friday says that at that time the firing at Vicksburg was going on with greater vigor than ever. We have nothing new from that quarter, except from the above source, later than the 21st, by way of Cairo.
Our latest detailed news from Port Hudson comes by the New Orleans steamer Geo. Cromwell yesterday, and dates the 20th inst. Another attempt was then about to be made on the works of the enemy, which seem to be regarded as impregnable. Our correspondence contains highly interesting accounts of General Banks’ ecent movements there.