Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-22

they examined the warehouses and depot
buildings. They found several hundred
overcoats and suits Of army clothing, about
two hundred pairs of shoes, hundred sa-
bres, two hundred pistols and considers
bic ammunition. They destroyed large
quantity of leather, salt, -four and bacon.
In one Of the warehouses was the ammu-
milton captured by our men, from Long
streets Division. There were about TWEEN
ty tons Of it.
After they had taken all the goods, 60,
they could carry away with them, they
gave notice to those living close by to
leave, for they intended setting fire to all
the warehouses and depot buildings. This
created l1ite an excitement. We all knew
of the large quantities of ammunition in
one Of them, and much Of it was shell.
What 10 do? was the question. Stand
your ground might be best, and yet we
feared the explosion Of this vast quantity
of ammunition. 1t was but a short time
until the first explosion took place. 1t
was terrific. Many of the shells exploded,
and the pieces fell thick in some parts Of
the town. A stable quite distance from
the scene Of conhagration took fire. The
citizens ran despite the exploding shells
and endeavored to stop the FIRE This oc-
casioned great excitement, and if the reb-
els had remained there would doubtless
have been blood split. But as soon as
they had set fire 10 the warehouses, depot,
&c, they left town, taking the road leading
to Gettysburg. Fortunately no other
buildings took fire No person was hurt
by the shells or rebels.
In the country they visited every stable
and took every horse that was seemingly
fit for any kind of service. Among them
were recognized four men that formerly
lived in this county, having large family
connections. They were piloted aroundby
these men, they knowing who had good
horses. Some of them even enquired for
certain men, stating that they had good
horses and they were determined 10 have
them. Others had lists of names, and
seemed TO go down the list in regular or
der They took from this county at least
1000 good horses. This, with what goods
they took and property they destroyed,
amounts at least to the sum Of three hun
dred thousand dollars.
This is no small loss and we are not
sure that incursions Of similar character
may not be repeated. We have many per-
sons living amongst US of strong South
ern sympathies, and the rebels knowing
this can easily avail themselves Of some
unguarded moment and rush in upon US
again. That the rebels know all about US
is a fact beyond question, and that they
know who TO visit their vengeance uponis
equally certain. We escaped much better
than we expected we would, but give the
devil all he wants and he will be sure TO
let you alone. If they had been met in
force after they left our county, we would
have given them hospitable reception on
their return. We had the road from
Chambersburg to point twelve miles from
it well guarded by armed citizens. They
would not have escaped had they been com
PEELED to retreat this way. This organi-
zation of defense was continued until we
heard of their escape across the river.
There are many incidents Of rather an
interesting character connected with this
short visit of the rebels that l might relate,
but observing the length of my letter l
shall avail myself of some future occasion
to relate them. We hope, however, that
the same may not be repeated, as such Wis
it's are attended with more expense than
the pleasure and comfort derived from them
justifes. 1 shall add, however, that this
cavalry was composed OF picked men, ana
contained quite number of ministers Of
the Gospel, lawyers, physicians, professors
of various institutions, and eminent poll
ticians. 1t was really az exhibition Of the
chivalry of the South, and whilst they be-
haved in some respects like gentlemen,
they displayed an accomplishment in horse
stealing that rivals the most noted charac-
! ters in either ancient or modern date.
Very respectfully, remain yours, &C.,
WM. S. EVERETT.
PPS.-Chambersburg contains 5000 in
/ habitants. Several arrests have been
made Of citizens who showed their colors
rather strongly during the raid, and have
expressed themselves rather boldly since.
Many farmers and citizens sent their
horses TO the mountain; others locked them
up in shops, &C., and thus saved them.
| Hsd this not been done, the rebels would
! perhaps have taken twice as many as they
| did The rebel cavalry numbered 1000
strong and six pieces of artillery. This is
correct, for they were counted as they
passed out of town.
]