June 30, 1863, The New York Herald
The enemy have not advanced on Harrisburg up to the latest accounts. Skirmishing at various points on the south side of the river was going on yesterday, at Oyster Point and Maysville especially. All our forces were within the defences at sunset yesterday. The rebels had torn up the track at Marriottsville and at Sykesville, which is within thirty-one miles of Baltimore. The damage at the latter place is but slight. The enemy occupied York yesterday, which was quietly surrendered. They respected all private property, and did no damage to the canals on their march from Wrightsville. The rebel General Early has levied on the citizens of York for a large amount of money, flour and beef. General Early says, “We will occupy the place permanently.” The defenders in the intrenchments at Harrisburg were prepared for an attack today. The Mayor has issued a proclamation calling upon every man to report at once at his office for service in the trenches. The enemy were reported to be crossing the river at Bainbridge on pontoons, with the intention of cutting the Pennsylvania Central Railroad; but it is not certain that they have pontoons enough to carry them over.
The greatest alarm and activity prevails in Philadelphia. The Mayor and General Dana have issued stirring proclamations, appealing to the citizens to prepare to defend their homes. There was quite a panic in stocks yesterday.
The coal dealers held a meeting and resolved to close their collieries till the crisis has passed, and to enable the miners to volunteer. The merchants have resolved to raise a million of dollars. All the stores are to be closed and the men employed in them forwarded for the defence of the city and State. The men who leave their employment are to be paid their usual salary during their absence.
The Board of Brokers raised $25,000 to be divided among five hundred men who may enlist for the emergency. A resolution was also adopted to adjourn at three o’clock every afternoon to give members an opportunity to drill. The clergymen offered their services to the mayor to labor on the fortifications.
It is understood that a line of intrenchments around the city will be commenced today.
We give the particulars of the attack upon Wrightsville, the defence of the rifle pits by Col. Frick and the burning of the splendid bridge over the Susquehanna at that point. A most comprehensive map of the whole district, including the towns of Wrightsville, Columbia and the bridge, accompanies the story. We also publish a map of the country round Harrisburg, the scene of the invasion, and a plan of the city of Harrisburg itself, with its approaches by railroads, turnpikes and bridges.
The rebel cavalry are committing considerable depredations upon cattle and horses around Washington, at Dranesville and near the Long Bridge.
They made their appearance at numerous points in Montgomery county on Sunday and yesterday morning, seizing all the finest horses to take the place of their jaded animals. Some few of them showed themselves as near Washington as Silver Spring, five miles from the city. They stopped the stage which connects with the railroad at Laurel, taking out the horses, but not interfering with the driver and passengers.
From the White House, on the Pamunky river, we learn the full details of Col. Spears’ operation to the South Anna, the capture of the rebel Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee, a rebel colonel, a blockade running captain and over two hundred other prisoners. Lee was captured at the house of a friend while he was trying to recover from his wound received at Kelly’s Ford. A skirmish occurred at Hanover Court House, where our troops came out conquerors. A rebel baggage train on the way to Richmond, and of great value, was captured and destroyed, and with over a thousand saddles. The railroad bridge at White House was saved, and the whole expedition was a complete success.
The army of General Rosecrans continues to advance. At the different gaps of the mountains his forces have had severe skirmishing with the enemy, but in every case with success. At Hoover, Liberty and Guy’s Gaps the posts were vigorously defended; but the rebels were finally driven back. It is said that the rebel General Clayburne was killed at Liberty Gap.
The latest news from Vicksburg, by way of Cairo, is to the 22d. The cannonading on the 20th was terrific from the army and the gunboats. The siege was progressing favorably. The movements of General Johnston continue wrapt in mystery. He had gone beyond the Big Black, and was reported moving southwards. All the rivers and streams were rising.
There was a great scare in Portland yesterday morning, but it amounted to nothing. An idle rumor that a rebel privateer was landing troops in the harbor caused much excitement for a time and the citizens were alarmed lest the rebel squadron off the Bay of Fundy was about to make a raid in their waters. No privateers, however, appear to be in the immediate vicinity.
All the bonds given by the captains of captured vessels to the commander of the pirate Tacony have been found on board of the schooner Archer, and are now in the possession of the authorities.
Another suspicious looking bark, supposed to be a pirate, was seen on Saturday off the coast near Portland. The militia are being organized to garrison Forts George and Scammell.