Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-10-02

the Cumberland Valley r. r. track The re-
cepton which awaited US, in our passage down
the Cumberland Valley, was that of the wild
est enthusiasm on the part of the inhabitants
1t had been but few hours since they were
In imminent danger of an incursion from the
starving end brutal horde of Jackson and
Lee, whose longing eyes had looked upon this
fertile valley as the place where they were to
| gratlty their brutal instincts, and repenish
their scant stores. The population according
| ly hailed with Joyous welcome, the patriotic
citizens of other parts of the State who had
lett their business and homes, to rush to their
! protection Wild huzzas rent the air. as the
train swept by ; the ladies smiled their sweet
est welcome and displayed their Whitest pock-
ct handkerchefs to testify their gratitude to
those who were ready to face death for their
protection.
lbe train made slow progress, as the track
| is single one, and the detentionS consequent
ly frequent, and it was toward the wee small
! hours when we reached ChamberSburg which
we supposed to be our destination But af-
ter long delay the cars moved onward, and
the next stopping place, was Hagerstown
Maryland. 1t was daylight, Thursday morn
ing when we disembarked and were marched
to our camping ground The spot we occu-
pied was in the suburbs of the town. and had
on the previous Sunday been occupied by the
Rebels for like purpose The men stacked
| their arms, unsuug their knapSacks upon the
ground and pitched into the ratons furnished
with a zest heightened hy long abstinence.
Tents were furnished the day of our arrival,
and Thursday evening, We all slept on the
grOunJ. with a canvass covering. Friday
morning came orders to move on the Williams
port turnpike, when tents were struck, and
the regiment marched about one aud half
miles towards WilliamSpcrt, where a camping
ground was found in a beautiful grove, with
an abundant supply of excellent water This
spot, also, had been occupied but three days
previous by rebel cavalry.
BY this time it bad become apparent, that
we were intended to be useful as well as orua-
mental. and if any one had come on an eXpe-
! ditiOn which he supposed was to be unattend-
cd by dagger he had more than he halgained
for
Ga Wednesday had been fought the great
battle of the Autietam. The battle field was
distant but eight miles from Hagerstown, aud
on Thursday morning, the booming of cannon
told that the fight was still progressing Early
in the day the wounded began to arrive at
Hagerstown. Long trains of ambuances, car
rages, and vehicles of every kind brought in
the wounded of the previous day The pub
lie buildings were converted into hospitals and
| filled with the dead ard wounded. An order
was issued by the Provost Marshall that all
places Of business should be closed and the
citizens repair to the battle, field for the pur-
pose of caring for the wounded. To the mil
! tia, fresh from the quiet scenes and peaceful
occupations of home, it was presenting war in
its gloomiest aud bloodiest aspect
The tidings from the battle field were that
! after the fiercest and bIcodiest fight of the
war, on Wednesday, both armies were resting
on their arms, and that the enemy had been
! pushed from his position ard it was uncertain
whether he wouid attempt to cross the river
near Wiamsport, or advance into the interi-
or. Those who understood the true position
of affairs we're aware that the rebels were be.
| taCeen Mcclellan and the Penpsy lvania Militia,
and that the latter were to be disposed so as
to dispute his passage up the valley should it
be attempted
That Mcclellan was apprebensive of an in
| terror movement, would appear from the fol
! lowing dispatch -
| Headquarters ARMY TIE PoToMAC,
Sept. -, 1862
| Maj.-Gen. H. W HALLECK Gen in. Chief-But little
occurred yesterday except skrmsing Last night the
enemy abandoned his position leaving his dead and
We are again in pursuit. I do not know yet whether
he Is falling back to an interior position or crossing the
river We may safely claim victory
GEORGE B. CLELLAN,
Maor-licneral Commanding.
Al this time the rebels had fallen back to
WliamSport, which is but miles from Ha-
gerstown. The former place they occupied In
force, and their cavalry were reconnoitering
down tie Hagerstown turnpike for some dis
tance. On Friday afternoon the rebels she'll
! ed WllIlamsport, and their intentions were yet
enveloped in mystery. The militia had been
ordered to the Wamsport turnpike aud
were stationed from Hagerstown distance of
some three miles along the turnpike. A num-
| Der of regiments on Friday night were ordered
into line of battle about l2 miles from Ha
gerstow0, stretching across the turnpike. The
turnpike presented an exciting spectacle. Or
derlies were gaOping in every direction in hot
haste. Cavalry came tearing aloug, and regi-
ments passed on the double quick, while
artillery ratified up the turnpike to take posi-
ton in the advance From the direction of
Williamsport came frightened men, women and
children, bringing with them their household
goods, aud fleeing from the impending danger.
| The engineers were buSily engaged in IeVeling
fences and preparing road parallel with the
turnpike and about four rods distant, to per-
NIT the passage of artillery trains. Every
preparation was made for conflict, and to
the inexperienced the prospect for a fight
seemed good The family occupying the dwell
ling upon the grounds where the 18th was en-
camped, left on the evening of Friday, in full
belief that it was not safe to stay through the
night, from the probabilities of rebel ad
vance.
About 10, p m, the 18th received orders
| to turn out n line of battle. The order should
have reached US some hours before, but was
delayed 1t is but justice to the men, to say
that they nrnnarad 10 obey II with WILLINGNESS