The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-10
COMMUNICATIONS.
Terrible Disaster to 0hambersburg.
HARRIsBURG, Aug. 4, 1864.

nAhhlsbUhI, aug. 4, lcOf
Mr.. GILMAN,
Dear Sir:-Ever since the dreadful disaster
at Chambersburg, have been disposed to
write you an account Of it-but have delayed
--supposiag the telegraph and newspaper re-
porters would safe the public appetite on the
subject.
However,-since some Of our leading papers
boldly charge that the fate of Chambersburg
was good enough for it''-I feel like entering
my protest, as / consider both my sensibilites
and my womanhood insulted.
My husband has been post quarter-master
there during the past six or eight months, aud
consequently have spent much of my time
there, and therefore speak from personal
knowledge.
1t is said, by some, that Gen. Couch neglect
ed to defend the place-and he is consequent
ly saddIed with the responsibility of the disas-
ter.
On the contrary-Gen. Couch sought by ev-
cry possible means to rouse the people of the
border counties to their danger and urgently
appealed to Government for help. He is in
command the Department of the Susquehan-
na-yet l doubt II his force is one thousand
strong all told land this is scattered through
the state. When the rebels demonstrated an
attack the 9th of July, Gen. Couch caused q
battery to be planted at Chambersburg-and
added such infantry supports as he could COM
mand. He posted placards-sent out drum
and fife, and caused the bells to be rung hop
ing the citizens would volunteer for the de-
fence Of the town. But pacards do not affect
the eyes nor drum and fife the ears sometimes,
and the citizens remained 10th blind and deaf.
II is not only worse than useless to blame
Gen. Couch for not making defence-it is a
positive wrong. l have yet to learn that a
Maj. General can any better personally defend
place than private citizen. A man is but
man-let his rank be what it may, though some
suppose there is vlcarious power In pair OF
epaulets: Without force, he could do no less
than fail back, and those citizens of Chambers
burg who now presume to complain, should
remember how often and earnestly they were
appealed to, TO arm themselves for their own
defence.
On the Tth the rebel force fell back. Wah-
ington was menaced and the public mind set
tied upon the conclusion that the Cumber-
land Valley was safe. Such forces of 100 day S
men as could be mustered were hurried to
Washington, and no one supposed another
raid possible. Monday the 18th, Chambers
burg was again all alive with rumors and
refugees. A rebel force had re-occupied
Martensburg, and were expected to cross the
Potomac at Williamsport. Again General
Couch sought to defend the town, but some
how the proper spirit was wanting. The rebs
did not come in on the 7th, according to
programme, and no one supposed they would
come now. Times grew mo re and more ex.
citing until Friday. the 10Th, when sharp
skirmish took place between Gen. Averills
troops and the rebs at Mercersburg, a town
about sixteen miles southwest Of Chambers.
burg. At about 10 O'Clock Friday night, our
scouts came in and reported ''all quiet" SC
that citizens as well as soldiers thought il
safe TO rest for the night. About O'Clock
Saturday morning the people were reused by
the rumor Of the rapid approach Of the rebs
along totally une xpected route. All was
hurry and confusion. A battery of only two
guns was posted to dispute their entrance
while Gen. Couch and staff, and such civilian.
as were disposed to go, escaped on the train
the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company
held In readiness for such an emergency.
As the place had been previously occupied
without resistance by the rebels several times
the women and children felt little or no ap
prehenson. They expected to be obliged tc
feed them, and had made up their minds tc
take the spelling OF their goods quietly, con-
fident that their stay would be very limited
The men generally left the town, taking with
them whatever money or valuables at hand
most Of them without even a change of ga
ments.
The rebs occupied the place In the early
morning and before o'clock commenced the
burning Of the town. The drug shops ant
made, straw was thrown into the open door
and windows OF various houses, and withou
a word of warning, fires were set In at leas
illty different places at once. As 1t was earl.
In the day, many children were not yet dress
ed, and the women generally were in thei
morning apparel. As there had been little OF
no rain for some time, the fires spread will
awful rapidity, and it soon became so intense
ly hot that the women and children fed e
the woods for protection from The seorchinl
flames. The scene beggars description
Mothers OF three, four or five children coule
be seen lrantieally looking for the one or tw,
who had got astray In the hurrying, horriiies
crowd. The wall that went up from tb,
broken hearted women and children, as the,
saw their homes made desolate was horrible
In less than six hours the town was In ashes
\ Many had not yet had their breakfast, an
the hungry children walled for bread, Will
4 their mothers, equally hungry had not crus
4 for them. Old women, broken by inirmitl
crept slowly to the woods, followed by feebl
mothers bearing their little ones in the
arms, W lille two or three frightened chidre
! held close to their garments. And there the
staid-that desolate ommunity-staring eac
4 other in the face In bitter wretchedness, with
out help and without hope, while a rebt
horde, maddened by whiskey, run riot in th
town. At about three p. NJ, Gen. Ayerill
face appeared and the rebs vanished; but th
approach of Union faces could not restor
the homes of these thousands made so sud
denly homeless. Every household has Il