The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-08-18

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cutting the telegraph communication,
which from that point had to pass west,
| by way of Bedford, no information could
be sent to Gen. Couch, by telegraph, who
was then at Chambersburg. The head of
this column reached Chambersburg at 3
O'Clock; A. NJ, on Saturday, the Both.
| The rebel brigades of Vaughn and Jack
+. son, numbering about 3, 900 mounted men,
crossed the Potomac at about The same
time, at or near WiIliamsport-par of the
command advanced ON Hagerstown-th
main body moved on the road leading
| from Williamsport TO Greencastle. An
other rebel column of infantry and artil-
| lery crossed the Potomac simultaneously
at ShePpardstowc, and moved towards
Leitersburg. Gen. Ave:ill, who COM
manded a force reduced to about $500
men, was at Hagerstown, and being threat
eued In front by Vaughn aud Jackson, on
his right by M'Causland and Johnston,
who also threatened his rear, aud on his
lett by the column which crossed at Shep-
| pard5town, he therefore fell back upon
.Greencastle.
Gen. Averill, tits 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, 45 cavalry,
and section of battery of artillery, in
all less than $50 men, The six compa-
MES Of men enlisted for one hundred days
remaining in the State, and two compa-
MES OF cavalry, had, under orders from
! Washington, Gas l am unoihcially inform
! ed joined Gen Averill The town Of
| hambersburg was held until daylight by
the small force under Gen. Couch, during
which time the Government stores and
train were saved. Two batteries were
-then planted by tie enemy commanding
the town, and 1t was invested by the
whole command of Johnston and M'Caus-
! land. At o'clock, A. NJ, SIX companies
Of dsmuunted men, commanded by Swee-
ny, entered tho. town, followed by IN nannted
I uiea under Gilmore. The main force was
in line Of battle-a demand was made for
100 ,009 in gold, or 100000 iu Govern
ment funds, as ransom, and number of
citizens were arrested and held Us hosta-
ges jor It's 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 commenced Immediately 10 burn
and pillage the town, disreearding the
appeals OF women and children, the aged
and inhrm. and even the bodies of the
dead were Lot protected from their bru-
tality. 1t would have been vain for all
the citizens Of the town, if armed, to have
attempted, in connection with General
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. Averilfs
command being within nine miles of
Chambersburg, it was hoped would arrive
in time TO save the town, and efforts were
made during the night to communicate
with him. In the mean time, the small
force Of Gen. Couch held the enemy at
bay. Gen. AveIill marched on Chambers
burg, but did not arrive until after the
town was burned and the enemy had re-
tired. He pursued and overlook them at
MConnelsburg, in Fulton county, in time
to save that place from p;llage and de-
struction. lie promptly engaged and de-
feated them, driving them to Hancock
and across the Potomac.
[ commend the houseless and ruined
people ee Chambersbarg to the liberal
bepevelencesof 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,
and L cannot doubt the disposition of the
Legislature on the present occasion.
On the fifth day Of this month, large
rebel army was in Maryland and at yari-
Gus points on the Potomac as far west as
New Greek, and as there was no adequate
force within the State, [ deemed it my
duty on that day to call for Thirty Thou
sand Volunteer Militia, for domestic pro-
tectiun They will be armed, transported
and supplied by the United States, but, as
no provision is made for their payment, it
will be necessary, should you approve
my action, to make an appropriation Tor
that purpose.
Feeling it to be the duty of the General
Government to afford full protection to
the people Of Pennsylvania and Maryland
by the defence Of the line of the Potomac,
| united with Governor Bradford in the
following letter to the President, dated
July 2lst, A. d. 1861:
1.-THE gist of this letter consists in that au-
tbority was asked to recruit in Pennsylvania
and Maryland force sufficient for the local
defense of those States, the recruits to be