American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-08-17
include the States namedand Washington


and vicinity.
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 Chambersburg
aud York were organized and armed for
their own protection. | was not official
ly informed of the movements of the Fed
eral 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 it had
crossed the Potomac and was retiring up
the valley of the Shenandoah. Repeated
successes of our troops were also announ-
ced, and the people of this State had just
cause to believe that quite sufficient Fed
eral force had been thrown forward for its
protection upon the line of the Potomac
On Friday, the 29th of July, the rebel
brigades of Johnston and M'Causland
consisting of from 2 500 to 5000 noun
ted men, with six guns, crossed the Po-
tomac at Clear Spring Ford. They COM
menced crossing at 10 o'clock, A. NJ, and
marched directly on Mercersburg. There
were bui 45 men picketed in that direc-
tion, under the command of Lieutenant
Nj Lean, U. s. A., and as the enemy sue
ceeded in cutting the telegraph commu-
nication, which from that point had to
pass west, by way of Bedford, no infor-
nation could be sent to General Couch.
by telegraph, who was then at Chambers
burg. The head of this column reached
Chambersburg at 3 3o'clock, A. NJ, on Sat
urday, the 30th.
The rebel brigades of Vaughn and
johnson, numbering about 5000 noun
ted men, crossed the Potomac at about
the same time, at or near Williamsport-
part of the command advanced on Ha-
gerstown-the main body moved on the
road leading from Williamsport to Green
castle. Another rebel column of infantry
and artillery crossed the Potomac simulta-
neously at Sheppardstown, and moved
towards Lcitersburg. Gen. Averill, who
commanded force reduced to about 2, 900
men, was at Hagerstown, and being threat
ened in front by Vaughn and jackson, on
his right by MCausland and johnson,
who also threatened his rear, and ON his
left by the column which crossed atShep-
pardstown, he therefore fell back upon
Greencastle.
General Averill, it is understood, was
under 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 ofG0 infantry, 45 cavalry,
and section of battery of artillery,
in all less than $50 men The six com
panies of men enlisted for one hundred
days remaining in the State, and two COM
panics of cavalry had, under orders from
Washington, Gas lam unofieially inform
ed, } joined Gen. Averill The town of
Chambersburg was held until daylight
by the small force under General Couch,
during which time the Government stores
and train were saved. Two batteries were
then planted by the enemy commanding
the town, and it was invested by the whole
command of johnson and McCansland
At 7 o'clock A. NJ, six companies of dis
mounted men, commanded by Sweeny,
entered the town, followed by mounted
men under Gilmore. The main force was
in line of battlc-a demand was made for
100000 dollars in gold, or S500,0 900 in
Government funds as ransom, and num-
Der of citizens were arrested and 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 a ransom no time was allowed,
as the rebels Immediately commenced to
burn and pilliage the town, disregarding
the appeals of women and children, the
aged and infrm, and even the bodies of
the dead were not protected from their
brutality. 1t would have been vain for
all the citizens of the town, if armed, to
have attempted, in connection with Gen.
COUGHS small force, to defend it, Gen.
Couch withdrew his command, and did
not himself leave until the senemy were
actually in the town. General Averill's
command being within nine miles of
Chambcrsburg, it was hoped he would ar
rive in time to save the town, and efforts
were made during the night to communi-
cate with him. In the mean time, the
small force of General Couch held the
enemy at bay. General Averills march
ed on Chambersburg, but did not arrive
until after the town was burned and the
enemy had retired. He pursued and
overlook them at McConnellsburg, in Full
ton comfy, in time to save thatplace from
pillage and destruction He promptly
engaged and defeated them, driving them
to Hancock and across the Potom-
ac.
| commend the houseless and rnined
people of Chambersburg to the liberal be-
nevolence of the Legislature, and suggest
that suitable appropriation be made for
their relief. Similar charity has been
heretofore exercised in the case of an ac-
cidental and Obstructive fire at Pittsburg,
and | cannot doubt the disposition of the
Legislature on the present occasion.
On the fifth day of this month a large
rebel army was in Maryland and at vari-
Gus points on the Potomac ID far west as
New Creek, and as there was no ade-
quate force within the State | deemed it
my duty on that day to call for Thirty
Thousand Volunteer Militia, for domestic
protection. They will be armed, trans