Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17

lion and muster, six regiments were en-
listed and organized and battalion o
SIX companies. The regiments were wi,h
drawn from the State, the last leaving tn,
10Th Of July.
desired that al least part of this fore,
should be confined in their service TO Tn,
States of Pennsylvania IA and MARYLAND, anc
made such an application to the War De
partment. As the proposition did not
meet their appreciation it was rejected
ana the general order changed to include
the States named and Washington ~-I '.s
! No part of the rebel army at that time
had come within the State. The people
OF the border counties were warned and
removed their stock, end at Chambers.
burg and York were organized and armed
Tor their own protection. was not Off
cla.ly informed of the movements of the
Federal armies and Of course not of the
strategy Of their commanders, but it was
stated in the newspapers that the rebel
army was closely pursued after il had
crossed the Potomac and was retiring up
the, valley of the Shenandoah. Repeated
successes OF our troops were also anpounc-
ed, and the people of this State had Just
cause to believe that quite sufficient
Federal force had been thrown forward
for its protection upon the line of the
Potomac.
On Friday, the Goth OF July, the rebel
brigades of johnson and MCausland,
consisting of ir9m $500 to 5000 mounted
men, with six guns, crossed the Potomac
at Clear Spring Ford. They commenced
crossing at ten o'clock q. m, and marched
directly on Mercersburg. There were but
forty-fge men picketed in that direction,
under command Of Lieut.. NJ Lean, us. A.,
and as the enemy succeeded in cutting
the telegraph communication, which from
Shat point had to pass west, by way of
Bedford, no information could be sent to
Gen. Couch, by telegraph, who was then
et Chamhersburg. The head of this col
umu reached Chambersburg at o'clock
a. M, en- Saturday, the 30th.
The rebel brgades of Vaughn and Jack
son, numbering about 1900 mounted
men, crossed the Potomac at about the
same time at or near Williamsport part
of the command advanced on Hagerstown,
the main body moved on the road leading
from Wiliamsport to Greeucaslle. An
other rebel column of infantry and ar
tillery crossed the Potomac simultaneous
ly at Sheppardstown, and moved towards
ed force reduced a d"1cl to about out sGUU msh,
was at Hagerstowu, and being threatened
IN front by Vaughn and jackson, on his
right by M'Causlard and johnson, was
also threatened in his rear and on his left
by the column which crossed at Sheppards-
town, he therefore fell back upon Green
castle.
Gen, Ayerill, it is understood, was un-
der the orders of Gen. Hunter, but was
kept as fully advised by Gen. Couch as
was possible, Of the enemys movements
on his right and to his rear. Gen. Couch
was in Chambersburg, where his entire
force consisted OF 60 infantry, As cavalry,
and q section of battery of artillery, in
all less than l50men. The six companies
of men enlisted for one hundred days re-
naming in the State, and two companies
Of cavalry, had, under orders from Wa.h-
ington, (as am unoficially informed, J
Joined Gen. Averill. The towr of Cham
bersburg was held until day light, by the
small force under Gen. Couch, during
which time the Government stores and
trains were saved. Two batteries were
then planted by the enemy commanding
the town, and it was invested by the
whole comraud of johnson and M'Caus
land. AT o'clock a. M, six companies
SweeIy, entered the town, followed by
. mounted men under Gilmore. The main
force was in line OF battle. a demand
was made for 100000 in gold, or S5OO,0Ot
| in Government funds, as ransom, and 0
number of citizens were arrested and held
as hostages for its payment, No offer oi
money was made by the citizens Of the
town, and oven if they had any intention
Of paying q ransom, no time was allowed
as the rebels commenced Immediately tc
burn and pillage the town, disregarding
the appeals OF women and children, the
aged and infirm, and even the bodies oI
the dead were not protected from theil
| brutality. 1t would have been vain fol
all the citizens Of the town, if armed
to have attempted, in connection viii
Gen, COUGHS small force, to defend It
Gen. Couch withdrew his command, ant
did not himself leave until the eEemy were
actually in the town. Gen. Averill's com
mand being within nine miles Of Cham
bersburg. it was hoped it would arrive ii
time to save the town, aud efforts wer'
made during the night to communicat,
with him. In the meantime the small
force of Gen. Couch held the enemy a
bay. Gen. Averill marched on Chambers
burg, bat did not arrive until after th
enemy had retired. lie pursued and over
took them at M'Connellsburg, in Fultor
county, in time TO save that place from
pillage and destruction. He prompt.
engaged and defeated them, driving then
TO Hancock aud across the Potomac.
| commend the houseless and ruined
people of Chambersburg to the libera
! beneyolence of the Legislature, and sug
gest that suitable appropriation be mad
for their relief. Similar charity has beef
heretofore exercised in the case of an &C
cidental and destructive fire at Pittsburg
aud cannot doubt the disposition Of th'
Legislature on the present occasion.
On the 5th day of this month larg,
rebel army was in Maryland and at vari
GUS points on the Potomac SO far west q
New Creek, and as there was no adequat,