New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-03
The Destruction Of Chambersburg by the
Rebels.
dence Of The N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The N. y Tribune
HARRISBURG. Aug. l. 1894
Permit me through the medium Of your paper
30 acquaint our people, by tale with some Of
the horrors that have fallen upon the innocent and de-
fenseless people Of Chsmbersburg, Pa The burned
district covers all the business portion OF the town ana
some Of the finest private residences There ia lot
store containing the necessities Of life remaining The
hotels all in ruins; the mills and manufactures OF
various kinds-some Of which were very extensive
have all succuubed 10 the deyouring element. Two
churches the Courthouse. Town Hall, and bank were
likewise laid in ashes Tie beautiful mansion Of Col.
A. X. Mcclure. about mile out, was burned; also a
barn, the same distance on the Mercersburg Pike AL
the mills on their line Of march were consumed All
this was done TO satisfy for the time the thirst for
con and murder for which Gen. McCausland has made
himself noted He knew full well that his demand for
$500 900 could be complied WITH aud his excuse for
the burning would avail his purpose. Threefour Of
the value Of the town has been consumed and not less
than e. OoJoo at the present high valuation Of every
thing win be wanted 10 place the sufferers where they
were
VIII not the Christian people Of our land listen and
respond to the voices Of that up from every
backened hearthstone Have they ever marched their
little ones and carried their babes pressed close
their bosoms amid the jeers and SCOTS of demonisca
Rebel soldiery between walls Of fire and suffocating
smoke. Reader, you approach the realization Of
your feelings thus fleeing from your burning homes with
the clothes you wear your only property, where bat
hour before. auence and comfort tended to make life
happy, Cast your eyes around your room can you
End any family treasure heir loom that you cord
give 10 the flames Of the spoer without feeling that
something had gone out Of your hearts most inner
ess never 10 returni Look upon the picture Of your
6fstborn that Ia 10 more could you bear TO have it
ooDsumedi father. mother sisters or brothers last
gift all gone This has been the fate Of many very many
Of the twenty-five hundred homeless people OF Cham.
osssburg victims 70 the rapacious cravings Of beasy
yrant who gloated over the power which enabled him
70 cause such desolaton and each breaking heart
ceases to throb he viii smile in deTision at the success
OF nus hendih work Have the Northern people
bearti First let 1t blaze in PREPARATION. full reparson
for the losses to these sorrowing peope who on the
border have borne their suferings from time 10 time
with patience until they have no more 10 lose ,ae, in
vengeance, With the sword and your strong r;obt s-
place it beyond the power Of the desperate oligarcv
eycr to infict again This ia not the last Gre IN.
city that will be burned II the traitors are no, driver
TO sstjeetion-a lasting subsection
Could you see the husband bury IN the rarden the
dead body Of his wife in her vindingsheet TO swrs n
from the flames. without q shudders Could you with
vOut tear Gee father perform the same for his babe
n,cofanedi Could you have wandered. did. on the
ds Of this destruction through the hot and Aery
Of Chambersburg and heard the many anxious in.
quirec Of each other for friends and relatives who had
become separated from each other and the smile Of JOY
through their tears they met those whose homes had
escaped thie ruini Had you listened TO the many little
Incidents Of suffering, the hardest heart would have
s'Heurbed 70 thsr appeals for help and aid. The next