Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-17

and give TO them ali that hearty good will,
Che expression of which Is sometimes more
important under the intiiction of calamity
than mere material aid.
1t is unnecessary to refer to the approach
of the rebel army up the Shenandoah
Valley on the third day OF July last-to the
defeat Of Cen Wallace on the Monocacy,
their approach to and the threatening of the
Capital, or to their destruction OF property
snd pillage Of the counties Of Maryland ly-
ing on the border. These events have pass
ed into history and the responsibilities will
be settled by the Judgment Of the people.
At that time. a call was made upon Penn
syivania for volunteers to be mustered into
the service Of the United States and to
serve for one hundred days in the States OF
PENNSYLVANIA and Maryland and at Wash
ingtOn and its vicinity. Notwithstanding
the embarrassments which complicated the
orders for their organization and muster,SlX
regiments were enlisted and organized and
a battalion of six companies. The regl-
nents were withdrawn from the State, the
last leaving the Doth Of July.
! desired that at least part OF tins force
should be confined i'll their service to the
States of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and
made such an application to the War De
partment, as the proposition did not meet
tilclf dlbr0DdtlDfi was GciCCIttl tJC
era order changed to include the States
named and Washington and its vicinity.
No part of the rebel army at that time
had come within the State. The people OF
the border counties were warned and remoV-
ed their stock and at Chambersburg and
\ Ork We're organized and armed for their
own protection ] was not officially Inform
cd Of the movements Of the Federal armies
and Of course not OF the strategy Of their
commanders but it was stated III the news
papers that the rebel army was closely pur
sued after 1t had crossed the Potomac and
asretiring up the Valley ofthe Shenandoah.
Repeated successes of our troops we're also
announced and the people of this State had
JUS cause to believe that quite sufficient
Federal force had been thrown forward for
its protection upon the line Of the Potomac.
On Friday, the 29th of July, the rebel
brigades OF Johnston and McCausiand, con
sisting Of from ,, 500 to 5000 mounted men
with six guns, crossed the Potomac at Clear
Spring Ford They commenced crossing at
10 8 clock a M and marched directly on
Mercersburg. There were but - men pick
cted in that direction, under the command
of Lieutenant NJ Lean, L. ). A, and as
the enemy succeeded in cutting the Tee-
graph communication, which from that
point had 10 pass west, by way OF Bedford,
no information could be sent to Gen. Couch,
by telegraph, who was then at Chambers
burg. The head Of this column reached
Chambcrsburg at three clock, a. m, on
Saturday the Both
The rebel brigades of Vaughn and Jack
son, numbering about 5000 mounted men,
erased the Potomac at about the same time,
at or near " illiamsport-pa Of the COM
mand advanced on Hageretown-the main
l.,.i. j Al L., J
Transport to Grecncastlc Another rebel
column of infantry and artillery crossed the
Potomac simultaneously at Sheppardstown,
and moved towards l4ulterSburg. Gen. Az
Grill, who commanded force reduced to a
bout ,, 500 men, was at Hagerstown, and
being threatened in front by Vaughn and
Jackson, on his right by NJ Causland and
Johnston who also threaten ed his rear, and
on his left by the column which crossed at
heppardStown, he therefore tell back upon
GTeencastle.
Gen AveriIi, is understood, was under
the orders OF Gen. Hunter, but was kept as
fully advised by Gen. Couch as was possible,
of the enemy ; movements on his right and
to his rear. Gen. Couch was in Chambers
burg. where his entire force consisted of so
infantry, 45 cavalry. and a section Of a bat
tery of artillery, in all, less than $50 men.
The six companies OF men enlisted for one
hundred days remaining III the State and two
companies Of cavalry had, under orders from
Washington, las | ann unutiiclaliy informed,
ioined General Ayerill. The town of Cham
bersburg was held until daylight. by the
small force under General Couch, during
which time the Government stores and train
were saved. Two batteries were then plan
ted by the enemy commanding the town,
and i was invested by the whole command
of Johnson and VI Causland. At ! O'Clock,
\. NJ, six companies of dlsmounted men,
commanded by Sweeuy, entered the town,
followed by mounted men under Gilmore.
The main force was In line of battle-a de-
mand was made for 900 dollars III gold,
or 500. 900 dollars in Government funds, as
and number of citizens were ar
rested and held as hostages for Its payment.
No offer of money was made 10y the citizens
Of the town, and even ii they had any lnten-
ton Of paying ransom, no time was allow
ed, as the rebels commenced immediately ID
burn and pillage the town diSregardmg the
appeals of women and children, the aged
and infirm. and even the bodies of the dead
were not protected from their brutality. 1t
would have been vain for all the citizens of
the town, if armed, TO have attempted IN
come elton with General Couch : small force,
TO defend it, General Couch withdrew his
and did not himself leave until
the enemy were ACTUALLY in the town. Gen.
Averill 5 command being within nine miles
of fChamtersburg, it was hoped would ar
rive in time to save the town, and efforts
were made during the night to communicate
with him. In the mean time, the small
fo. ce of Genera Couch held the enemy at
bav. General Averill marched on Cham
bersburg, but did not arrive until after the
town was burned and the enemy had retired.
He pursued and overlook them at NJ Con