Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-12


marched directly on Mereersburg. Illlfe we're but
40 men picked ia that direction, undlsf che COM
nand OF Lieutenant NJ Lean, u. >. L.. and as
the enemy succeeded in cutting the telegraph
communication, which from that point had to
pass west by way Of Bedford no information
was then at ChaInbersbugg The head Of this.
column reached Chambersburg az o'clock, a.
NJ, on Saturday, the Both.
The rebel brigades of Vaughn and Jackson
numbering about :, ,000 mounted men, crossed the
P0tamae at about the same time, az or near
Williamsport-p of the command advanced ON
HagerstoBn-t main body moved on the road
leading from Williamsport to 6freencastles Ans
other rebel column Of infantry and artillery eros
sed the Potomac simultaneously at Sheppards-
town, and moved towards Ieitersburg, Gen. Az
erll who commanded a force reduced to about
:, coo nen, was at Hagerstown, and being threat-
ened III front by Vaughn and jackson, on his
right BY n Causand and Johnston, who also
threatened his rear, and his lett by the column
which crossed at SheppardstoWn, he therefore fell
back upon GreencaStle
Gen. Avefill, it is understood, was under the
orders of Gen. Hunter, but was kept as fully adj
yised BIZ Gen. Couch as was possible OF the enc
my movements on his right and to his rear
Gen Couch was III Chambersburg, where his. en-
tire force consisted of 60 intantry - cavalry and
section of battery OF artillery, In all, less than
$50 men. The SIX companies Of men enlisted for
one hundred days remaining In the State, and two
companies of cavalry had, under orders from
Washington las am unoicially informed, join
ed Gen. Averl., The town OF Chanlbersburg
was held until daylight, hy the small force under
Gen. Couch, during which time the Government
stores and train were saved. Two batteries were
then planted BY the enemy commanding the town,
and it was invested BY the whole command Of
Johnson and NJ Causland AT Z Q clock, A. A.,
SIX companies Of iismounted men, commander by
- I - III ,4..ft
men under Gilmore. The main force was in ll1e
OF batte--a demand was made Cor 400 000 dollars.
In gold or 5G0,900 dollars in Government funds,
as ransom, and 4 number OF citizens was arrested
and held as hostages for its payment No offer
Of money was made by the citizens Of the town,
and even Il. they had any intention OF paying
ransom, no time Was allowed as the rebels COM
menced Immediately to bum and pillage the town,
disregafdng ahe appeals Of women andschildTsll,
the aged and iutr 81, and even the bodies OF the
dead were los protected from their brutality. 1t
would have been vain for all the citizens OF the
town, Ii armed, to tape attempted in eOnneetlon
with Gen Couch small force. to defend it,
Gen. Couch withdrew his commands and. did not
himself leave until the enemy We're actually "a the
tewn Gen AverilfS command beng within
nine miles OF Chambersbure, 1t was hoped would
arrive in time save the town, and Efforts were
made during the nlghg 90 communicate with ram.
In the mean time, the small force OF Gen. teaeh
1
Ghaabersburg, bat did not arrive uuril after the
town was burned and the enemy had retired. Ike
pursued and overlook them at M Connelsbdrg,
in Fulton county, in. time TO save that place from
pillage ana destruction lie promptly engaged
and defeated them, driving taeM to Hancock ard
across the Potomac.
commend the h0useiess and ruined people of
! Chambersburg to the liberal beneyoence OF the
legislature and suggest that suitable approprla-
ton be made FOR their relief Similar CHARITY has
been heretofore exercised III the case Of an aecl-
dental ana destructive fire at iittsbgFg, and /
cannot donbt the disposition OF the Legislature en-
| the present occasion
| On the fifth day Of this month large rebel ar
| my was il Maryland and at various points on the
| Potomac as far west as New Creek, and as there
was no adequate force within the State deemed
it MY duty on that day to call for Thirty Thousand
/ Volunteer Militia for domestic projections They
viii be armed transported and supplied by the
/ United States, but as no provision Is made Tor
their payment it will be necessary should You
approve my action, to make an appropriation Tor
r14es- s,5l-gzns correspondence between the Gov
ernor's Of Pennsylvania and Maryland, aud the
President and War Department at Washington.
The Governors ask for sauthority to raise Vol
unteer force to be employed in the deieuee OF
Pennsylvania and Maryland The Secretary Of
War could not grant the authority.J
In each Of the three years, 1862. 1868 and 1854,
it has been found necessary 70 call the State lnl-
tia for the defence of the State and this has been
done with the assent and assistance OF the Gener-
eral Government. From the want Of organization,
we have been obliged to rely exclusively on the
volunteer militia and with few exceptions 20 or
ganize them anew for each occasion. This has
caused confusion and loss OF valuable time, and
has resulted IN sending to the field bodies Of men
-, ..1
bill passed at the last session Is think Tor ordina-
Ty tunes the best militia law we have ever had !;
but under the existing extraordinary crcu1nstan-
ces it seems to require notifications. | suggest
that the assessors be directed to make an inIlned
ate enrolment, classifying the militia as MY be
thought best that the officers be appointed By
/ the Governor, on the Recommendation approved
by him, OF beard Of examination composed of
| three Major Generals for each division, Of whom
the Major General of the divitian shall be one
the other two be designated by the Governor
from adjoining divisions, or IN such other mode as
the Legislature may think tit; that in al cases
the officers shall be selected by preference from
officers and men who have been IN service. and
shall have been honorably discharged by the Uni
| ted States and that efectuat provision be made
| Tor drafting the militia when required. The rec
onmendation IN regard to appointments is made
to avoid the angry ydIssensi0Iis and too often po-
/ ltical jealousies which divide military orgaaiza
tions by the election of officers, and secure the
services OF the most deserving and compstent
men.
The election Of officers in the volunteer fSrces
/ in the field has been found to be injurious to the
service, while promotions bg seniority, and ap-
| polntInents OF meritorious prlyates has produced
| harmony ard stimulated to taithfumess In the
enlistment OF new organizations the plaa adopted
OF granting authority to officers to recruit colnpa-
MES has been found to be the best policy. also
| recommend that the governor be- authorized To
form leither By acceptance of volunteers or by
draft in such parts of the State as he may deem
eXpedientl special corps Of militia to consist in
due proportion Of Cavalry, Artillery and infantry,
be kept up to the full number Of fifteen regi-
ments to be styled Minute Men, who shall be
for three yeals-who shall assemble for drill at
such times and places as he may direct who shall
be clothed, armed and equipped by the State, and
paid when assemhled for drill OF called INTO SER