Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-08-02
THE WAR.
Active Operations Commenced
A REBEL FORT BLOWN UP.
The Enemy's Works Taken,
BATTLE STILL GOING ON.
Invasion Of Pennsylvania.
CHA AnBERSBURG BTP Nl,D
Invasion of PENNSYLVANIA.
CH4MBERSBURG DERIVED.
OUTRAGEOUS CRUELTY.


The last rebel raid to Pennsylvania has wit
messed the burning of Chambersburg, the dc.
etrueiion Of property estimated to be worth if.
teen hundred thousand dollars, and system of
plumber so general aud so broad that no incou.
siderable amount of suffering must result from
II. Fortunately the contents OF the bauk and of
many Of the stores, together with the rolling
stock Of the railroad, were removed in safety
before the rebels had arrived but whatever rc-
mained was stolen, burned, or destroyed.
The invading force was commanded by Gen
MoCausand aud Bradley johnson, aud numbered
about five hundred men. II arrived on Saturday
morning about daylight, and demanded QUE hun.
dred thousand dollars in gold, or five hundred
thousand in currency, with the alternative Of
conhagration and indiscriminetc plunder. Me.
Causland was informed at nine o'clock that his
demand could not be compiled with. and tbe
work Of destruction commenced Two hundred
and sixty seven houses every hotel, drug store,
Office and library were destroyed and also the
Associate Reformed Church building. Nearly
two thousand persons are suddenly homeless
without food or a change of clothing
The rebels left the destroyed town at eleven
o'clock. AT two General Avcrirs cavalry, cont
prislng ten guns aud three thousand men, ar
rived, and soon commenced pursuing the MA
rauders. Firing was heard during the after
noon from the line OF retreat and pursuit; aud
as AVeril has six times the force of McCausland
and johnson, it is hoped that he may catch and
properly punish them.
Two women and child persisted in the flames
in Chambersburg. Up to this time these arc
the only deaths which have been reported. A
rebel major was killed, and several prisoners
were taken by the citizens of Chambersburp.
II is believed in official circles that tue rebels.
after having been severely punished at MeC on
neshurg, pushed on towards Hancock, where
they effected crossing This being so makes II
now certain that there are no rebels, at least oil
the column that moved from Williamsport last
week, now in that State.
THE OPERATIONS BEFORE PETERSBURG.
Washington, July 81 information from the
headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, dated
July 80. says:
"The great event, so long anticipated, viz
the explosion Of the mine under the enemys fort
in front Of the Ninth Corps, came off this morn
ing at 30. The picket firing was kept up nil
night, and, in fact, at the time the match was
apphed the skirmishers were still engaged on
both sides.
"The volume of dirt thrown up was immense,
and rising over three hundred feet in the air,
resembled more an immense fountain of earth or
a crater than anything else.
"rhe Ninth Corps at once charged tue works,
driving the enemy to their second line aud taking
a number Of prisoners, some Of whom were dug
out Of the dirt badly bruised. They state that
only about dozen remain out of their regiment
a South Carolina one.
''As soon as the explosion took place 20 guns
opened along our front, while the muskelry
blazed in one continuous line of fire along the
front Of the Ninth and parts of the Fifth and
Eighteenth Corps.
"The scene was one long to be remembered
| by all who witnessed it. But the smoke from
the guns soon obscured the view. and the first
particulars of the success was CLEANED from those
who came in with the prisoners.
"The prisoners say they were completely sur
prised, most of those in the fort being aslcep at
the time. They state that there were four guns
in the fertilization, which Of course were buried
far out Of sight
| "one prisoner reported that they were busy
mining uudcr our works, aud that in two days
more they would have been ready to blow us np.
But we got the start Of them, aud il is hoped
.hat long ere this reaches you Petersburg will
he IN our possession"
dispatch dated : a. NJ, says;-"lieports
Just IN rtate that we have possession of the en-
tire first line of the rebel works. with n larre
number OF prisoners.
"Onr loss in the charge was seycre ma o,,r
men had to cross an open field TO reach the no.
bels. The troops engaged were the NintL, t'nrns
with the Eighteenth supporting them, the sceoni
and Fifth being in reserve.
Ine hilnk ~ sun going on consisting priuei-
pally Of musketry.
"Generals Grant and Meade, with all the
corps generals, are ut the point watching the
progres1 Of affairs"
OPERATIONS NORTH OF THE JAMES RIVER.
NsD York, July 3l.-The Herald oorrespon-
deut at Deep Bottom, July 28tb, says; The
prisoners taken report that when ii was dscoy-
cred that the Second Corps was north of the
James river, the enemy mme diately commenced
pouring in reiuforcements, both from Petersburg
and nearer Richmond. General Lee was taken
entirely by surprise, and obliged to use the
utmost dispatch to rush troops TO The threatened
point.
During last night, the enemy continued
strengthening the splendid natural position be