Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-12
The Attack on Cumberland,

The Cumberland 4Uegha5stdn has the following
particulars Of Rebel movements in that vicinity :
To this community the past week has been
season Of intense exeitenent and apprehension
1t was known that q Rebel rading force was oper-
atlng N Pennsylvania, and it was deemed highly
probable that IN returning to Virginia, they
might strike i5r the upper tords of the Potomac
Hence, during the latter part eft last week all the
roads leading into the town We're strongly picketed,
and ngTess and egress prohibited On Sunday
morning it was asseTtaned that they had captured
and destroyed a portion OF Chambersburg Pa,
bat had been finally driven out by General Ayerill'
forces, ana were retreatlng towards Maryland -
0a Monday morning the excitement increased to
such degree that business was almost universally
suspended, the business houses closed, and the
merchants iii many instances packed and removed
AboHt noon the scouts reported that a heavy
body o. Rebel cavalry and mounted infantry was
approaching the town upon the Baltimore turn
pike, and was then distant bur about SIX niles
Gen Kelley at once took the field in person and
the troops stationed here We're marched out the
turnpike some two and half miles The enemy
had formed bis line of battle a short distance be-
hind the residence Of Jesse Hinkle, Esq, his
troops holding the turnpike aud his artillery post
ed in high positions in the neighborhood. As
soon as our troops were formed into line, the Reb
els opened brisk fire, which was promptly re-
piled 10 by our guns
The battle opened about three OF clock, and the
artillery firing. nterspersed with an occasional vol
ley OF musketry continued until six, when the
ltebels ceased firing, both sides occupying pretty
much the same position as when the contest began
The dwelling, mill and barn Of j ohm Folck, Esq,
were pretty much in range of our guns and were
struck several times by shell. The barn was fred
by an eloding shell, and was entirely destroyed
with Its contents amostthe entire products of the
late harvest. The casualties were not very nu-
merous. Forty or fifty, perhaps less win proha-
bly, cover the entire number of killed and wounded
on both sides. Fatal injuries were sustained by
only one of our gunuers we believe, while the
wounds received are not generally of severe char
acter. Two or three of the eneRay are said to have
been killed.
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night, and IN the morning it was discovered that
the enemy had retreated, much to the relief of
our citizens The next point we hear Of them is
at GTeen Spring Run, where they captured and
paroled 'Gol Stowe, and some eighty OF his troops
who are hundred day men. The railroad battery
OF Captain pesFie was lying there, the engine at
tached to which received shell in It's boiler thus
becoming disabled The battery is also said to
have been considerably damaged We have heard
various estimates Of the rebel force, but they are
SO extremely diverse and conflicting, that we can
not gather from them clear idea Of the number.
Gems. MeCausand and Rosser, with their brig
ades are believed TO have composed the force,
though VIC have also heard it stated that General
Bradley 1. johnson was with them. A consider
able number Of horses and cattle were taken from
the tar1ners along their route in the lower part of
the county.
Three citizens volunteer companies were organi- |
sed 70 ald the regular military forces in repelling
'he invaders They were placed under command
't lfeneral Charles MI Truston, and were assigned
4 active duty upon some Of the roads leading to
ne CITY They were relieved on Tuesday, after it
Fts known the enemy had retFessted from the
me exoitement here has not entirely sthsded, I
ma as yet ther IS nothing ike general resuanp-
ION ot business The piekets were driven ia at
3rady S mil, on the Balfnnote and Ohio Railroad /
ast nglrt, the telegraph wires eut, and the road 4
! said TO have been somewhat damaged.