, 1863-07-09

across tie Potomac. Another force Of its
cavalry crossed the upper Potomac on the
18th, causing great CONSERVATION in Mary
land and lower Pennsylvania. It entered
Chambersburg and Mercersburg in the eve
ming. The alarm caused by this raid was
unnecessarily great, for the main army of
Lee had not yet reached the south side of
the Potomac. The Union garrison at
Frederick, Maryland, tell back to the Re-
lay House on the 10th. 4 detachment of
the enemy attacked Harpcr's Ferry the
same day, but was shel1cd back by Gen.
Taylor from Maryland Heighto. Ten
thousand rebel infantry crossed the Poto-
mac, ut Williamsburg, IN the night, begin
ming in earnest the great invasion which
was now fully shown to be intended. The
fight at Aldie, On the 18th and 10th, were
between Gen. Pleasanton's and body Of
the enemy's cavalry, which is supposed to
have flankcd their rear. Tie rebels con-
stantly poured across the Potomac, and on
the 18th, Ewell's entire division occupied
6harpsburg, in Maryland.
The main rebel army was entirely across
the Potomac, below Williamspors, on the
2cth. Pausing only briefly in Maryland, Lee
pushed his troops forward to Haserstowu,
Greencactle, and for the first time in the
history Of The war, powerful rebel army
was within the boundaries Of loyal State.
He ecnt several small columns, principally
composed Of cavalry, in various directions,
with the order, however. to I'LL back when
ever opposed by strong Union forces One
Of these columns was directed against
Hanover junction, another against York
and Wrightcyille, while others operated in
the direction Of Carlisle, Harrisburg, and
along the line Of the Susquehanna.
All these demonstrations, made by NOV
ing columns, free from encumbra1ccs, Cur
rying with them but a few ambulancea, no
provisions, and but very little ammunition,
had but one object in view: to bewilder
the Un:onists, and to make them believe
that the Confederate army was divided in
two; one, it was supposed, the army of
observation, remaining on the line between
Ma1yland and Pennsylvania, watching the
movements Of the army OF the Potomac,
and waiting for an opportunity to pounce
upon Washington; the other, the army Of
invasion, to march Norihward, invade
Pennsylvania, New York, and, in fact, au
the Northern States.
Meanwhile the vigorous work Of defense
had begun, most vigorous it must be con-
fe1.ed outside the borders Of the invaded
eta.e. New York and New Jersey poured
IN their home troops By thousands, while
Pennsylvania went through the elephan-
tine antics Of q Fat man in panic, and
made little progress. Gen. Hooker was
succeeded by Gen. blc1de, On the 25th Of
June. On the same day the advance guard
Of the rebels was reported within tour miles
Of Harrisburg. Without waiting
moment, Gen. Meade gave orders to the
whole army to move forward in the direc-
ton of Gettysburg, thus cutting at right
angles Gen. Lees army, whose main corps
was said to be at Hagerstown, willie two
O. his divisions were supposed to be at
Carlisle and Harrisburg.
No sooner did the rebels hear of the ad-
vance ot our forces than, according to the
orders they had received, they rapidly
evacuated all the places they had visited
W1;ghtsyjl1e, York, Hanover Junction,
Carlisle, &c.-and fell back upon Gettys-
burg, where Gen. Hills corps, forming the
vanguard Of Gen. Lees forces, located
sGnew1,ere in the Cumberland valley, nesr
Greeacslstle, Ind already taken position,
supported by Longstrcet, whose rctreating
columns lad already concentrated on that