The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-12
CHAM q E r S BURG.
THE BURNED DISTRICT.
WHO WILL REBUILD ITP
THE PEOPLE, AND HOW THEY ACT.
ANOTHER REBEL INVASION



As We Informed you by special telegram yes
terday from Chambersburg the members Of the
State Legislature, together with number Of
invited guests, including several editors and re-
porsers from your city, visited the town OF
Chsmbenburg, for The purpose Of viewing the
ruins of the late Rebel inccndiarism.
THE party lett in q special train at 8 o'clock in
the morning, and after very short though in
ieinsely hot ride, reached thg town at half pas
10 O'Clock. There the excurslonsts were received
by several of the prominent citizens of the town
aud in Soujuuction with the committee, by whom
the Legislature was invited, made a tour through
the burned district
Remembering the sight presented Of the burn
ing of the beautiful little town Of Hampton, Viz
ginin, during the Penmsular campaign, we were
much deceived as 10 the expected extent OF the
damage done here. To be sure, for distance OF
three Squares on Main street, leading from the
depot. one continuous range of b.aCkened aud
crumbliug ruins attest the cOwardice aud atrocity
Of the Rebel horde under MCCausland. So, tOj,
on Market street, and here aud tnere a few
houses on streets divergng from those already
named; but at Hampton 50 complete was
the work of destruction that the streets were
covered with the debris Of falling walls and none
but citizen OF the place could have recognized the
former divisions OF the town. Yet though s'Ve-
raj hundred houses are still standing at Cham
b. rsburg, having escaped the torch of the iuCan-
dluries, the stamp of the ruyages OF war ~ inde-
libby impressed upon the town and moh.hs. if
not years, will elapse before it can regain its
former attractive appearance and business pros
perty.
a walk of a dozen squares on such a dag as
yCst roay, when the thermometer indicated one
/ hundred and five degrees IN the sha ic was more
OF copiously perspiTing ma ter than was o. grce-
able. Yet amid all the attendant discomfort
OF fbe occasion, one could not help but linger
awhile, beneath the scOrching rays OF an August
sun, TO contemplate the sickening features of the
In hfs nnn "A RI ~ taaa
were deserted. Here and there only, a cigzcn
" was to be seen threading his way along the en-
cumhered street 10 some adjacent point.
Hardly a vehicle of any description passed
thr ugh the streets, and the houses yet remaining
gave no external sign of their occupancy. Where
window was thrown open or "a door revealed
the presence of some inmate, those persons gave
you searching, unwelcome look as you passed
along, seemingly doubling in their minds whether
you came as friend or Toe. An Indifferent, apa-
thetic State of mind was the leading trait in the
character OF those met.
They seemed % say-We have been robbed Of
the 0eauty OF our homes; many OF us have been
thrown upon the world, beggars our domestic
relations have been suudered; our early assJcia-
iiuns and reminis cences bighted and destroyed,
ana we are perfectly callOus now US to what mis-
fortune is next visited upon US. You know nov
despondlngiy some men and women fold their
banOs VIII, n calamity comes upon them, aud how
jealt uSly they the object of their sorrow,
refusing all attempts 10 remove the cause OF their
grief
Y 80 we interpret the real teellag OF the masses
OF the people now living ut Chambersburg. Scores
Of the wealthy iuhabuints whose worldly pos
sessions are not confined TO the houses they
occupied, have left the town, and many of these,
1t Is haid will never again return. Rebel raids
into the SlaIe have become too frequent and life,
they argue, has become too insecure, to tempt
them 10 ngain make their residence here. BIsi-
NESS engage ments will be entered into in other
cities and thus ChambeTsburg will lose the con-
trolling influence OF their presence.
Now Chambersburg will Of course be rebuilt.
In bush ess point OF view, it is district upon
which the surrounding country Is dependent for
Y the nec s,aries OF life. Whether comfortable
homes and spacious stores and warehouses are,
PhGnN-like 10 again rise out OF the chdrred
runs, and whether it will be rebuilt by charity
or otherwise, is for the former residents Of the
town TO decide.
L. a fw cases yesterday we heard the sound Of
the trowel, and saw wor<men busy engaged in
clearing out cellars, and removing the ruins from
the sidewalks and streets, preparatory 70 COM
mebcng 10 rebuild. There Is in this the eNhlb-
non OF an energy commcndable in tue extreme,
and one that the ChamDeTsburgers will do well
TO initiate. Ii the disposition is but shown,
abundant pecuniaTy aid will flow In from ali
quarters, while at the same time an inducement
will be offered the Legislature TO materially
assist the people by "a liberal appropriation.
Enough has been said of lhe culpIblity Of the
people living in the Cumberland valley, in not
having organized booes of sOdiery for home
defense that might have materially assisted ia
staying the incuTsions of the Rebels.
Governor Curtin thoroughly investigated the
subject IN his message the olher day the press OF
this State and that of New York have had their
say, and so we shall not allude TO it, further than
to remark that during our trip TO ChamberSburg
yesterday, and when passing through the towns
OF Carlisle, Shippensbu 6, and other places of less
note, we observed hundreds Of hearty looking,
sialwart men, who would make capital "mnu'e
men," such as the Legis ature now has in cOn-
temptation TO organize intO regiments, aud who
in case of any future invasion would, even nu.
merically speaking constitute strong argument
against Rebel raid
Let the past record go for what il is worth,
only bearing in mind, however, that the great
grain crop just garnered is a tempting induce
ment for a starving Government 10 rul every
risk TO fll lis granaTes from out the proceeds
OF our labor.
The people of the valley must not be lued into
a soft repose because of the short time that has
elapsed since the last raid, but rather bear Ia
mind thar their conduct Is all tho while being
closely scrulinized by the Rebels in their midst,
and 20 reported at large, thus rendering them.
selves liable 20 the visit of the plunlerers when
the people are the most loudly congratuating
themtev upon their security.
We had generous shower of rain here yester-
day, which lasted several hours IJ Is 20 be hoped
that il was general in its character, as the corn
Is greatly suffering for the want of it. Coz.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTs AT BEDFORD
SRRINGQ