The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-02
The Invading Force Not More Than
FsUr EGpdred Men
Retreat and Pursuit Of the
Rebels.
&s~ kss &c.
&s~
NC. Dee. ReMaolpn KeIm's Desp.t &c 3.


way different parts or the state, search Of secure
homes and protection from further experience OF rebel
plagnty. With several Of these people converted 10
regard the occupation and burning OF their town and
from them gathered the following interesting and thrill
ling par ticuiars:--
FIRST APPEARANCES Or rns
On the morning OF the Goth the first intelligence on tho
approach Of tho enemy received at Chsmbefsborg,
simultaneously commenced the package and ship
ment OF valuaoes and fight OF some Of the citizens.
On the morning the day following rebel force, est
mated at about hundred fifty mounted Infantry
arrived immediate vicinity Of the town, and enooun
tered small force from Carlisle barracks but superior
iy OF numbers Obliged the latter TO fa, back aud
the enemy possession Of the town. aud went into
camp in the Fair grounds
While all was apparently quiet ia tho noghbornood ct
WILLIAMSON and officers of the opniou thst The
enemy falling back, he have been really
mystfying his intentions by variety Of manauvres,
meanwhile moving force-probaby the largA part Of
his mounted arrS-towards Hancock, short distance
higher up the Potonac.
WHERE THE ENEMY CROSSED
II Is uncertain where the invaders effected the passage
or the Poomac but the river known to be now ford
able almost anywhere above Williamsport That they
did not al the latter place s positive from the fact
the country around continually watched by our
troops Besides this crossing is but seven miles from
something would have Of the presence Of the
enemy either from reports OF soldiers the inhcb
taus Tho most plausible superstition Is that the cross
log was made nj Hancock or between that and Williams
port Their since have been rapid and SILENT
completely avoiding HsRerstowa; 10 fsct tue inhabitants
not to have been conscious OF tho presence OF the
enemy for the Hagersewn stage Of the goth aud 3oth
reported al quiet
The advance which occupied Chambersburs came
ia by way Mercsrsburg Their whole body however,
did not march upon the route but also advanced
the Waynes6orough aud Greencaste roads.
BURNING OF Tht roTs ;...
McCaisand who mad command Of the rebels, demanded
OF the ctzens as a ior their toxin i've hundred
thousand dollars Not heos able to satisfy the demand
struction This was Instantly obeycd. breeze, for.
tunatey but slight stirring At The Tine soon famed Tue
the tevoufing element was raging a. zig
height the confusion and terror which pre-.
70 have been heart rendog Driven from their houses.
the peane rushed irantcy about the streets Until the
hea, became so rcnse that they we're Obliged 70 leave
Lne ana refuge the suburbs q the town. There
fathers ape mothers the aged ana tho sick mothers
with infants draw ing ssseDance rc her breasts tnom
selYes eeekiug he away from the relentless Of
ungovernabie element; there were maidens and Young
cIipginr 10 the SKIRTS Of neir mothers implorng
| protection whom sefmeservation had almost ds-
! were children weeping for their parents and pa
rents Tor their child,eu What suapouea--each uu-
knowing Der the other bao iaien vclm 10 the
flames he whole scene was one tnst wouid have an.
pa,lad tho souost heart, Modern history affords but
rev parallels OF deed atrooious and Unnecessary.
NUMBER 0Y HOUSES DESTROYED.
The heart Of Clsoessas has es2 er ,rse bnn
public and private buildings have been laid IN ruins
wnEr rHR rrN"s WAS finFr
twas eies5i O'clock Il .ss morning wVsu The town
was Aired. Jbe enemy, fearing the vengeenoe 9 oar
troops. did not wall long after apply ing the nceloiat
TORCH but renoCned add dashed OF Tor hs maui Iorce al
81. Thomas.
One OF tho sufferers in the destruction o Cbamborsbrg
Informs tina: two persons are positively known 70
have peeo Destroyed by the amee whether any others
horrible fate is yet unknown; indeed, u will be
before the extsnt Of this dreadful catastrophe
wll be fully realized
As the enemy iert ChanUersburg General Averil
heels until beyond McConnelsburg. Tho route taken
BY The enemy was by ST. ihomas. Loudon,
moys by the main road TO Hancock II II
be- however their design 10 commit further depreoions
uUon the border they viii doubt follow tho man road,
via Harrisburg, Farview and Bloody run 70 Bedford,
thence BY direct rosd 30 Cumberland, al which point
there Is another possibility that McCsrsand viii fol-
lover tier OF counties westward until no Joins bo
force under Breckenridge, which IS thooghs to 10 on tho
STRENGTH on TIE EMMY.
Tbe report that the streugth Of the enemy 10 inc state
was thirty thousand gems impossible. 80 large force
could with the aacry that has been exhiosed
by invading rebels and their presence woula also DC
certainly discovered. large part 81 the cavalry ana
mounted infantry that INVADED Mary and under Early
and precknHcge several weeks ngc, constitutes an tue
troops that came of the PoJOmac under Bradley.
| Johnston ard Mccausand and four bnnored is the
largest estimate q the command that destroyed Snam
/ berspurg. -
The appsrcut inactivity OF General Couch Is now re
eelvns spirited ventilation. In the beginning we had
1 formed an opinion but has beeu the test
mony Vows different parties that ws have con
Guided 10 drop Out of those disputes sprans
the report that Couch had been removed aud
General Cadwssder put IN hi place The truth Of nus
mater Is that Genera Cad Naader been called 10 the
l
| stu continues in communal OF the department.
Trains are now busy transporting food ana clothing to
tbs su1af lug inhabitants Of Chsmhersbu:s ibc oops
are said "a be co.eyegs.ed "a the aelas Their hunger
Will bs sppe,ved, aad saot, time their other @shs
VIII rs well Supplied. aeasafcs are Sow on loot sof ~
l n;.vAt.ou oi tne su:stiDyE iioy are SUSTAINING.
| ryvss.I-4gA rAiRoA1s spr tur
Tho report that tho Pcnas. eou'a CeEira Xsrod1 hS
oecn cut crror. rfa'as ara running regularly ana
SortrsrpeutrsI Raosd IS Also utSct sud taeso Is ="
probability q Its beng asao a@tufoad
HAgssYuRe, August Noon.
We receive Information from the mail agent on the
Cumberland Valley Railroad which conradics the est
mated strength Of the column Under McCauslsnd he
says The whole number thai crossed the river upon toe
authority OF rcsdens along the line Of march, did bot
amount to than 800 picked men all told. retro
spect OF the dongs the rebels since the frat knowledge
Of their proximity Chambersburg confirms this suppo
sition; Tor much larger body would mover have been
able to prosecute with 50 much rapidly aaa
SUCCESS.
! The same person states tha, The Cumberland Valley
Rsnrcsd not injured al chsn,bersours, and trans
arc sti running 70 Hagcrstown 10 his retreat the
enemy moved westward Tor no attack has
ye, been made upon BAscrsown nor has he appeared
the vicinity.
rosps
( The enemy having succeeded in getting into Pcnnsy
wants, the next movemeu, part would nstursE
be 60 prevent him getting cut For ,bs purpose ssrccg
has been posted along the Potomac, At The ddsren
| crossings, to intercept tho return OF the enemy
report hes reached bore that Mocausand Is already
south q the Potomac. bot confirmation Of tbs mas
| been resolved IL 10 highly doubtful.