Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-08-04

Prominent citizens of ChamberSburg
have issued an appeal to the benevolent
prople of the North for aid. Contri-
buttons can be sent to John Il. War
rem.
HARRISBURG, July 81.
Gen. McCausland was in command of
the rebel troops, He made a proclama-
ton demanding one hundred thousand
dollars in gold, and it was of course i'm
possible to comply.
An order was issued to fire the Court
House, Town Hall and the Bank build
ing. A strong breeze communicated the
flames to the surrounding buildings.
Parties of soldiers having sacked the
several drug and chemical stores and
manufactured turpentine balls which
they threw in all directions causing as
many different flames which soon united
in one general conaagration.
Speedily the scene became appalling,
crashing and roaring of flames, shrieks
of terrified women, panic stricken and
suffering children, and pitiful appeals of
the old andIhelpless, formed an indescrib.
able scene of horror. Two hundred
and sixty-tive OF the most elegant pub
lie and private buildings were DESTROYED.
The town was set on fire at about IL
O'Clock in the forenoon. The rebels re-
manned just long enough to see the
flames get under proper Roadway, when
the alarm was given that the Federals
were approaching. Instantly every free
booter was in his saddle and hurrsedly
took the st. Thomas road with Ayerill
in pursuit.
No intelligence has reached Harrisburg
conoering the direct effect of Averill's
attack. 1t is believed, however, that he
succeeded in Furnishing McCausland
very severely.
A train heavily laden with commssa~
ry stores was dispatched from this city
this morning to Chambersburg to re.
lieve the present wants of houseless
women and children who now crowd
the surrounding fields and woods.
PHILADELPHIA, July 80.
The excitement is very great here
over the news of the capture of Cham
bersburg and the invasion of our state.
The vicinity of newspaper offices is
crowded by citizens anxious for more de-
tails which are mOmentarily expected
from Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, July 30.
A conversation with a gentleman at
tached to newspaper establishment at
Chambersburg, who left there at eight
O'Clock this morning reveals the fol-
lowing facts
The people at Chambersburg received
information yesterday of the appearance
of the rebels. At once business men
commenced packing up their stocks and
CO" $40 O'clock last night, most OF the
Yaluaoie meronanurrv cont far no
yond the reach of the rebels.
At three o'clock this morning reb-
ell force of 500 mounted infantry, reached
Chambersbur@ and encamped on the
fair ground This force was met short
distance from Mercersburg by small
party of troops from Carlisle barracks
who fought the advance stubbornly, but
were compelled to withdraw on account
OF the overwhelming numbers of the in
waters
The disposition of the rebel forces, IS
they crossed the Potomac is described as
follows:
One party moved via Mercersburg--
another through Waynesboro and the
center by Greencastle. Gen. Averill is
reported as having engaged the center in
hot fight and is said to be falling back
on Chambersburg
If this be so his position must be per-
ilous and he is likely to be surrounded
at any moment, should the rebels leave
Chambersburg to meet him, and those
moving from Waynesboro join in the as
sault.
The rolling stock Of the Cumberland
Valley railroad has been removed to
this point. Large numbers of fugitive
colered people accompanied the stock
and present a most deplorable condition
as they are huddled together on the
heated sidewalks around the railroad
depot.
1t is reported that the rebels have
burnt the Court House, Town Hall, and
the residence of Col. A. r. MoClune at
Chambersburg.
Various estimates are made of the
number of invading rebels, and the low
est number that they have been put at,
is 10000.
At one O'Clock to-day they had made
no advance beyond Chambersburg, and
our forces still hold SheppardstowD,
eleven miles east Of Chambersburg
Should the rebels advance ON Shippens-
burg, the movement will develop an APP
parent intention to make demonstra-
ton still further down the valley, if not
to actually lay siege to Harrisburg.
WASHINGTON, July 80.
1t is reported that the rebel force of
cavalry which crossed the Potomac yes
terday at Whites Ferry was a small
one. Their intention was to intercept
our wagon train, but after inquiring and
learning from the farmers the number
of federal troops that were this side of
the river, they returned, after stealing a
few horses.
Yesterday a detachment of twenty
eight men Of the 10th N, Y. cavalry WIS.,
tied Leesburg on a reconnaissance when
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