Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17
CLEARflELD, Pa, WEDNESDAY, AUG. II. 1864

tioh and muster, six regiments were en-
listed and organized and battalion O
SIX companies. The regiments were with
drawn from the State, the last leaving tn
10Th Of July.
desired that at least part of this fore
should be confined in their service TO tb,
states OF Pennsylyap.a and Maryland, ant
made such an application to the War DE
partment. As the proposition did not
meet their appreciation it was rejected
and the general order changed to include
the States named and Washington ~-I -,
No part of the rebel army at that time
had come within the State. The people
OF the border counties were warned and
removed their stock, and at Chambers
burg and York were organized and armed
Tor their own protection. was not off
cla.ly informed Of the movements of the
Federal armies and OF course not of the
strategy of their commanders, but it was
stated in the newspapers that the rebel
army was closely pursued after il had
'crossedthe Potomac and was retiring up
the, valley of the Shenandoah. Repeated
successes OF our troops were also announc-
ed, and the people of this State had Just
cause TO believe that quite sufficient
Federal force had been thrown forward
for its protection upon the line of the
Potomac.
On Friday, the Goth Of July, the rebel
brlgades of johnson and M'Causland,
consisting of irpm $500 to 5000 mounted
men, with six guns, crossed the Potomac
at Clear Spring Ford. They commenced
crossing at ten o'clock a. m, and marched
directly on Mercersburg There were but
forty-tise men picketed in that direction,
under command Of Lieut.. NJ Lean, U.S.A.,
and as the enemy succeeded in cutting
the telegraph communication, which from
Shat point had to pass west, by way of
Bedford, no information could be sent to
Gen. Couch, by telegraph, who was then
at Chamhersburg. The head of this col
umn reached Chambersburg at o'clock
u. m., en- Saturday, the Both.
The rebel brigades OF Vaughn and Jack
son, numbering about 5000 mounted
men, crossed the Potomac at about the
same time at or near Wiliamsport part
of the command advanced on Hagerstown, ,
the main body moved on the road leading
from Williamsport to Greeucastle. An
other rebel column of infantry and ar
tillery crossed the Potomac simultaneous
ly at Sheppardstown, and moved towards
ed force reduced & da"lG;'a to about SGOU msh
was at Hagerstowu, and being threatened
IN front by Vaughn and Jackson, OH his
right by M'Causlard and Johnson, was
also threatened in his rear and on his left
by the column which crossed at Sheppards-
town, he therefore fell back upon Green
castle.
Gen, Averill, it is understood, was un-
der the orders OF Gen. Hunter, but was
kept as fully advised by Gen. Couch as
was possible, of the enemy's movements
on his right and to his rear. Gen. Couch
was in Chambersburg, where his entire
force consisted OF 60 infantry, 4j cavalry,
and q section of battery Of artillery, in
all less than l50men. The six companies
of men enlisted for one hundred days re-
manning in the State, and two companies
of cavalry, had, under orders from Wash
ington, las | am unotiicially informed,
Joined Gen. Averill. The towr of Cham
bersburg was held until day light, by the
small force under Gen. Couch, during
which time the Government stores and
trains were saved. Two batteries were
then planted by the enemy commanding
the town, and it was invested by the
whole comraud of johnson and M'Caus-
land. AT 7 o'clock a. M, six companies
of dismounted men, commanded by
SweeIy, entered the town, followed by
mounted men under Gilmore. The maih
force was in line OF battle. a demand
was made for 100000 in gold or 100000
in Government funds, as ransom, and a
number of citizens were arrested ana held
as hostages for its payment, No offer OF
money was made by the citizens of the
town, and even if they had any intention
Of paying ransom, no time was allowed,
as the rebels commenced Immediately to
burn and pillage the town, disregarding
the appeals OF women and children, the
aged and infirm, and even the bodies OF
the dead were not protected from their
brutality. 1t would have been vain Tor
all the citizens OF the town, if armed,
to have attempted, in connection with
Gen, Couch's small force, to defend it.
Gen. Couch withdrew his command, and
did not himself leave until the enemy were
actually in the town. Gen. AverilPs conf
mand being within nine miles of Cham
bersburg, it was hoped it would arrive in
time to save the town, and efforts were
made during the night TO communicate
with him. In the meantime the small
force of Gen. Couch held the enemy at
bay. Gen. Averll marched on Chambers
burg, bat did not arrive until after the
enemy had retired. He pursued and over
took them at M'Connellsburg, in Fulton
county, in time 10 save that place from
pillage and destruction. He promptly
engaged and defeated them, driving them
TO Hancock aud across the Potomac.
| commend the houseless and ruined
people of Chambersburg to the liberal
benevolence of the Legislature, and sug-
gest that suitable appropriation be made
for their relief. Similar charity has been
heretofore exercised in the case of an ac-
cidental and destructive fire at Pittsburg,
aud cannot doubt the disposition of the
Legislature on the present occasion.
On the 5th day of this month a large
rebel army was in Maryland and at vari-
GUS points on the Potomac SO far west as