Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-22
The Rebel Visitation Of CLambersbHre.
CHAMDERsDuRG, Pa, Oct. l6, 1862.

The Rebel Visitation Of Chambersburs.
CHAMBERsDuRG, Pa, Oct 16, 1862.
EDITOR LEADER R:-Living, as you do,
more than hundred miles from the bor-
der, you are deprived of many an exciting
scene that falls to the lot of your friends
here. The sight Of rebel prisoners or de-
serlers is nothing, and their stories, how
ever marvellous, scarcely attract the atten-
ton Of the most casual observer. We have
grown go callous to rumors, that we pay
10 attention 10 what we hear, unless it is
read from a special correspondent or relat-
ed by an observer. So much so were we,
that on Friday, the 10th inst, we did not
realize the dagger of a raid by the rebel
cavalry until they entered our town with
a flag Of truce, demanding its surrender in
thirty minutes When this had taken
place, many believed it was trick played
off by the young men, TO frighten "nerv-
Gus old ladies" At five o'clock in the
evening Of that day, our town was seem
ingly undisturbed by any thing, when
messenger came dashing down Main street,
announcing the fact that rebel cavalry
were only q few miles from town; that
they were taking all the horses in their
way, breaking open stores and destroying
other property at a desperate rate. This
vzo, Id not have been believed had it not
been for the respectable character of the
messenger; but we even tried to console
ourselves with the idea that he might be
mistaken; that those persons behaving 50
mischievously were a set Of rufhans, ayeng
ing some foul act Of those whose property
they were destroying.
We knew Of the Union troops all along
the Potomac, where the rebels would have
to cross to invade our valley, and this
seemed to make the matter so unreasona-
bic, that one-half Of our citizens did not
realize the danger they were in. II rain
ed hard all day, so that none Of our citizens
were much away from town.
1t being very cloudy, and the days short,
the rebels had fine opportunity of ap
preaching our town, and planting their
guns on the hills around it. 1t was about
seven o'clock P. NJ, when they sent their
fag Of truce demanding its surrender
The bearer of the flag Of truce inquired
for the mayor of the town, and was taken
to the Office Of the provost marshal A very
short interview was held, the bearer Of the
flag of truce being unwilling to answer any
questions whatever, except as to the num-
Der Of their forces, which he placed at IF
teen hundred, with a full battery Of artil-
lery. A committee of three was appointed
to accompany him to the headquarters of
their forces, which was but a short dis
tancs from town. An interview was there
had with Generals Stuart and Hampton.
They demanded the surrender Of the town,
stating that all they wished was the horses
of our citizens which were fit for army
purposes, such government property as
they could find, clothing for their men,
hats, caps, boots and shoes, and if they
we're not injured in any way, that they
would not enter our houses, nor disturb
any other private property; that they
would protect our families and respect the
men. The committee returned, (for they
saw the battery already planted, and the
rebel forces so distributed that resistance
would be madness,) and submitted the
d
at first was against surrendering, but ii
required but very short speech to convince
them Of the folly of such course. Ano-
ther vote, and the citizens reluctantly sub
mitted to the humiiating ordeal. But a
few moments elapsed ere the Gathering Of
the hoofs satisfied every one that the rebel
cavalry were taking possession Of our
town. Thoy came in four abreast, and oc-
cupied the main streets. They made nc
noisy demonstrations whatever. Occasion
ally one would speak loud enough to be
heard by these standing on the payementE
close by, and say, this is a beautiful
town, l think we shall stay here" 'fWhere
can I get my canteen filled with good whis-
kew" Another would shout in a low
voice, "hurrah for Southern rights p
And some asked, Did you ever hear o.
Stuarts Cavalry This is it. 1t can t bC
beat Such remarks were ali that heard
made, while they we're passing through the
streets. After they had sent out theil
picket5, they sent guards through the al
ieys to steal horses. They broke open tht
stable doors SO violently that the noisi
could be heard all around you. Here on
would be coming with well-known horse
and there another, and so on, until the
had taken all the horses they could find
They sent them TO the country, short dis
tance from town, and guarded them unit
morning.
I had conversation with several of them
They spoke freely, and allowed me the sam
privilege. I advocated the cause of tn
Union Internationally, and they took is
sue, and argued, IN at least a very gentle
l. &, h. .Gr,
President Lineoln's emancipation procla
nation. They very candidly admitted tina
that measure was calculated to injure ther
more than any other measure proclaime
by our civil authorities. Create insubol
dination among our domestics, say they
and you at once take men from the army
and in this respect weaken our forces
But 1 cannot relate the conversations "
had.
At ten P. n, the citizens were ordered
their homes, and forbidden to walk th
streets. They were told that it would nc
be safe for them to appear. This was Ii
.severest ordeal Of al. Varied now the v
sions that passed before US. We though
of burning, plundering, arresting prom
nent men, and all conceivable wrong
But, fortunately for us, the men were tire
and wanted rest. They took the paw,
ments, whilst we had our beds. I slept
little that night, scarcely enough to justii
going to bed. They broke open one she
store, and took shoes and boots to the vall
Of about S400 They broke into q b
store, but the owner had removed his ha
to the cellar, and thus saved them. Tht
did not take time TO examine closely, b
when they saw the empty shelves tht
gave up the search. The next mOrnil