Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-08-04
APOLOGY-OUR WAR.

Our readers will, we have no doubt
excuse the scantiness of our appearance
editorial and general. We have been cut
off from .all the world and the rest OF
mankind" almost from the time General
Early last occupied Martinsburg last Sun
day week. Since last Sunday we have
had our own troubles and our own wars.
On Sunday morning last we received
information that Chambersburg had been
laid in ashes by the Rebels. On Sunday
evening news reached us that they were
in Hancock on their march for this place
after burning at Hancock, bridges, boats
and buildings. The citizens were assem-
bled by the Mayor on Sunday evening to
determine on what they would do in the
matter next day. Information received
early on Monday morning indicated that
they were rapidly approaching our city.
It is useless to say that there was panic,
fear, and commotion, as We had no reli-
able information as to the force of the adj
vancing enemy, and fearful imaginations
drew the conclusion that it must be n
large and formidable force. The best
use was made by Gen'l Kelley of the lin
tied force at his disposal backed up by
such of our citizens as could be armed
and equipped on such short notice. About
half past 2 P. M, information was
received that the Rebel force was within
four miles of us, Gen'l Kelley with one
regiment of infantry and section of ar
tillery Immediately posted out the Baltl-
more pike and took position about two
and a half miles from the city on an ell
cvated ridge running at right angles with
the road by which the enemy were ap-
preaching. About three o'clock the ball
opened and our citizens were, for the first
time greeted with the first earnest sounds
of actual warfare in the shape of hearty
and rapid cannonading which continued.
with change of time and place until near
dark. We judged from the sound that
our artillery was served with more vigor
and spirit than that of the enemy. At
last it ceased, and from the reports of cit
liens who had run the blockade" Of the
pickets, and from some soldiers who re-
turned we came to the conclusion that
the enemy had not held their ground and
were on the retreat. Such proved to be
the case. Our loss was one horse killed;
two men pretty badly, though not fatally.
wounded, beside some four or five very
slightly scratched. Such we learn is the
amount of damage on our side. What
the rebel loss is we do not certainly know
but three of their killed and two badly
wounded were left by them as also a
large quantity of artillery ammunition sup
posed to have been unloaded to haul off
their killed and wounded, of which latter
we learn from parties in the neighborhood
was thirty-odd. In addition to this they
had two artillery horses killed.
During the night they marched south
ward Is the Potomac in the neighborhood
of Green Spring Run. There on Tues
day their passage was disputed by 500
men and an iron-clad car with one small
howitzer. These held them at bay sew
eral hours, but at last the enemy succeed
ed in putting ball into the boiler ofthe
iron-c!ad engine and dismounting their
howitzer as also the surrender of so men
and their Colonel in the Block house and
thereby securing their passage.
At half past one on Tuesday afternoon
was circulated that the enemy
had sent in q flag Of truce to picket
post, one and half miles from the city at
Wiley's ford, on the river, demanding
he surrender, or threading the Smelling
II Cumberland. This changed at once
.he plans of General Kclley's operations,
md artillery and infantry were counter
uarched toward that point, and it was
'eoertained 70 be piece Of strategy to
,rsvent the arranged attack on the re-
resting forces at Green Spring and give
hem time to effect their crossing into
Virginia. Thus have two Of our impor-
6nt days for the preparation Of our paper
,ten wasted, for be it understood shat
~ hands had to handle muskets instead
ftype, this, we hope, will prove suf-
cient apology for the meagreness of our
ppeeranee.
The force attacking us was nnder COM
md of Generals Ransom and McCaus-
"A. and consisted of from three to
- thousand mounted men, with four
- n artillery. While the battle Of
~ evening was in progress We re-
copy Of Saturdays Baltimore I
~, in which We read the pleasing
xsasiHc Re, from the reliable" cores