The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-01
The Rebel Raid into PENNSYLVANIA.
Rebel Force estimated at $4,000.
JOHANNESBURG Laid IN
ASHES.
The Scene Appalling and Indescribable.
LOSS REPORTED AT $1,000, 900.
Defeat Of the Raiders at McCon-
nefsbuFg.
Rebel Force estimated at 10000.
The Scene Appalling and Indescribable.
LOSS REPORTED AT $1,000, 900.

HARRISBURG. Pa, July so.
A conversation with gentleman attached
10 newspaper establishment at Chambers
burg, who left there at o'clock this morning.
reveals the following facts:
People received intelligence yesterday of
the approach OF the rebels. Business men
commenced packing up their stock, and before
lO o'clock last night most of the valuable mer-
chandize was sent far beyond the reach of the
rebels.
At O'Clock this afternoon the rebel force
800 mounted infantry, reached Chambe-sbure
and encamped on the Fair grounds. This
force was met short distance from Mercens-
burg by small party of troops from Carlisle
barracks, who fought the advance stubbornly.
but were compelled 20 withdraw on account Of
the overwhelming numbers of the invaders.
Gen. Averill is reported as having engaged
the centre in hot fight, and it is said he is
falling back on Chambersburg. If this is so,
his position must be perilous one and he is
likely to be surrounded any moment should
the rebels leave Cnambersburg TO meet him,
and those moving from Waynesboro also join
10 the assault.
The rolling stock of the Cumberland Val
ley road is being removed to this place. 1t is
said the rebels Lave burnt the Court House,
Town Hall, and the residence of Col Mcclure
of Chambersburg. Various estimates are
made as TO the number of the invading force,
the lowest putting them down at $4,000.
At O'Clock to-day they had made no ad-
vance beyond Chambersburg, and our forces
still hold Shippenburg.
Most positive information has been received
that Gen. Averill has drove the rebels out OF
Chambersburg, and is following them west
ward tawards Loudon, Franklin county. The
best part of Chambersburg is said to be in
ashes, and 5000 people rendered home less
Midnight having been revived
~ tn military authorities at this point, news
that 'uld be interesting and important to
the public cannot be communicated by tele-
graph. This must not be misconstrued, as
public safety and military success requires Sc
crecy.
Col. Mcclure has just received dispatch
from an operator in the field, few miles from
Chambersburg, that the rebels have fired the
town. This was done because they were
foiled ia getting the plumber they expected.
HARRlsBURG, July 81.
Gen. McCausland was in command of the
rebel troops when they burned Chambersburg.
He issued proclamation demanding 500 600
in gold, but it was impossible to comply, and
an order was issued to fire the court house,
town hall and bank buildings. Parties of SOL
diers having sacked the several drug and
chemical stores, manufactured turpentine balls
which they threw in all directions, creating
as many different flames, which soon united la
one grand confagration. Speedily the scene
became appalling by the cracking and roaring
OF the flames and shrieks of terrified women.
Panic stricken and suffering children, with
the pitful appeals OF the old and helpless,
formed an Undesirable scene of horror. Two
hundred and sixty-fve of the most valuable
ard eligible public and private dwellings were
destroyed. The town was fired at about IL
o'clock in the forenoon. The rebels remained
just long enough TO see the flames get under
proper Roadway, when an alarm was given
that Avern was approaching the town. In
stantly every freebooter was in his saddle and
huIriedly took the st. Thomas road, with Av-
Grill in pursuit.
No intelligence has reached Harrisburg con-
corning the direct effect of Averill's attack,
but II is believed that he succeeded in punish
ing McCausland severely.
train heavily laden with commissary
stores was dispatched from this city this morn
ing to Chambersburg to relieve the present
wants of homeless women and children. who
now crowd the surrounding fields and woods,
Many residences OF prominent citizens in the
outskirts OF the town were burned.