The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-06
Letter from Pennsylvania.
HARRISBURG, June 20, 1868.

just at present, Harrisburg may be consid-
cred "the seat OF war"-that is, If war may
/ ever be supposed to be seated. For the past
Rebels were coming. and a general stampede
of farmers with cattle, horses, grain, &C., has
been the consequence The refugees all bring
one story: "The Rebels are coming; but as
yet no one has seen them. One man says he
heard they were three or four miles from Car
Isle, but he didn't know for certain; yet he
rode off upon the gallop as though the echo
of Rebel footsteps were already in his ears.
When arrived week ago, the town was lit
orally upside down. Women and children had
forsaken their homes, while the business men
of the city with their clerks were scattered
about upon packing boxes, in very miscella-
neous manner. They were smoking and talk
ing, wondering when the soldiers were CON-
ing to defend them, and anxiously waiting for
the farmers from the surrounding country to
come in and dig their trenches for them. My
private opinion is, if these same business men
and their clerks had thrown away their cigars,
shouldered shovel and gone to digging the
entertainments for their own defence, we
should be in much better condition to repel
the invaders.
As you are well aware Harrisburg went
Copperhead at the last election-and it is said
the Copperhead Mayor-who by the way is a
West Point graduate-caled a meeting of the
City Council and advised peaceable surren-
der of the place should the Rebels approach
and demand it. One thing is evident. Fire
side patriots and Copperhead rulers are
poor protection in time Of danger. Not that
believe for moment that Harrisburg is in
any especial danger; but it would look more
like loyal patriotism, should the Mayor and
citizens agree to do what they can for the de-
fence of the city. And then in addition to
the laudable desire the citizens have expressed
that New York should come over and help
them, stands the fact that Harrisburg has not
raised single company in its own defence.
"Masterly inactivity" is trumps, and for one
am perfectly willing the Rebels should COB
bic up crew Of Copperheads too cowardly
to shoulder either shovel or musket. "They
say" the Rebels threaten to burn the city.
If they do, trust the publication by fire will
be efectua.
As long ago as the surrender of Harper's
Ferry, assured you the Rebels would make
another demonstration upon Maryland, nor
stop short OF raid through the Cumberland
valley - and for once have proved true
prophet. l now venture TO assert unless, there
is change in popular sentiment and more
unita d eff on tta aort of ha IN v.,t
down this infamous rebellion, New York,
Massachusetts,, and Maine will share with
Maryland and Pennsylvania in losses and
crosses as hard to be borne as the disasters
already reported.
For the last year have been in the pursuit
of knowledge under difficulties, and it would
greatly obliee me, if somebody would tell me
when this war is to end.
The cry is still, 'The Philistines be upon
theer but we vainy look for aSamson with
his marvellous jaw bone, though am confident
there is no lack of unmtigated asses to furn-
ish the weapon, when Samson concludes to
appear. Yesterday Sunday about one hun
dred and fifty soldiers mutinied and left the
city, because they were ordered into the rifle
pits. 1t was dangerous position, and they
did not choose TO occupy it. We have about
1000 men in the entertainments about ten
miles from the city, and there are fears that
they too will skedadle on the approach of
the foe,
am sincerely hopeful that their courage
and patriotism will not be put to the test
however, as these rapid movements to therear
do not seem 10 intimidate the Rebels in the
least. Notwithstanding the thunder small
and great that newspaper correspondents have
bestowed upon Harrisburg, l am slow to be-
lieve that the Rebels will attack us, and even
II they should, do not hesitate to say the city
will be safe. if peaceable surrender ,ciu rem
der IL so. Oh! for an ounce OF pluck and a
small sprinkle of patriotism, such as | have
seen among the female persuasion in good old
Maine. l often think of the brave young girl
in Livermore, who begged her only brother to
arm and go in defense ofhs country, only ask
ing him to leave his boots for her to attempt
to fill. During his two years absence she
wore them tramping over field after field,
blowing and planting and performing her ag
sent brothers farm labors with steady fidelity;
and when the two years expired she barely
welcomed the returned volunteer ere he was
laid low beneath the sods OF his native valley.
Should the question be put, dare say that
brave young sister would affirm she was proud
to know her brother served his country though
he persisted under the burden of the service,
while here, there seems TO be a wonderful
willingness to let other peoples brothers and
sous go, and corresponding reluctance to
offer ones own.
But there is no use in grumbng. Copper
heads may finch and selfish men may prefer
their gold and silver to their honor or their
country, but over us all is an Almighty hand
and we may safely rely upon its power to
bring order out of confusion. We can there
fore afford to wait.
By way OF news Of some interest to some
Of your readers let me say, / found at the
Couvalescent Camp in this city last week, the
Maine soldiers named below:
Capt. Granville Fernald, formerly of the
23d, Portland.
ID. w. Shaw, LIST Cavalry. Portland.
c. ii. Sally, 4th Battery, Palmyra.
+. A. Mace, 4th Battery Readfield.
Edmund 5. Cowing, 4th Infantry, Rockland.
Andrew J. Cotton, 10th, Lisbon.
George A. Dority 10Th, Brooklyn.
Joseph NJ Kimball, 18th, Bangor.
John Wentworth, 18th, Lebanon.
I IIallaw.n