Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-18

CORRESPONDENCE.


correspondence of the Daily Commercially
HAGERsTOwN, Nd, Nov. II. 1865.
HesSIs. Editors: rs:-1ncidens of the Rebel inyasions
ana ras are so numerous In this town and its vcin-
ity, that note few for the instruction and amusc
ment OF the readers of the COMMERCIAL. Attracted
by good roads, which arc the best in the State and
the abundant resources of the county, our Southern
brethren found this very convenient territory for
manifestng their spirit of fraternal kindness. the
first principle of which to help themselves at the
cost their neighbors. Besides numerous raids bv
guerlllas, three times was the town regularly occu-
pied by the Confederate armies-in 1862 1868 and
lsol Inc hrst visit was previous to the battle of
Antietam, when General Toombs, of Georgia, came
to deliver the citizens from the oppressive yoke of
the barbarous Yankee. They then had abundance
Of kind words and extended the invitation of the
spider to the fly. There were no acts of rudencss
Goods and produce taken, but always paid for
in Confederate notes. which the Generals said would
soon be at premium, and greenbacks at discount
Every blandishment used, but before the soft
and winning ways had charmed the people. who
somewhat matter of fact, and have a common sense
way of thinking for themselves Mcclellan hurried
the mighty Toombs away towards Sharpsburg After
the Confederate disaster at South Mountain Lee had
to guard his lines Of retreat and take care lest young
Napoleon should get between him and the Potomac
To accomplish this he concentrated his army on
the heights near Sharpsburg, where the terrific
battle of Antietam was fought, September 17th 1862
After this Hagerstown became a home for the
wounded, and the citizens, men and women. were
nurses on the field and in the hospital, and liter
ally shared their substance alike, with friend and
foe. To the honor of the people it stands recorded
that their work had the brightest element of Chris
tian charity. They recognized brother in every
sufferer The Sanitary and Christian Commission had
not yet been fully organized. Those noble agencies
which afterwards filled the hospitals and covered the
battle-felds with good Samaritans and ministering
women were then in their incipiency, but their place
was supplied by the voluntary labor of the warm
hearted people of Washington county.
Scarce had the last of the wounded been removed
when again in June, 1863, the town was excited by
rumorS of the approach of another invading army
Rumor soon became fact and Hagerstown was filed
with the cavalry, artillery and infantry of that host
100000 strong, which had been selected from the
whole Southern country, and represented its yigor
and valor. Citizens who were detailed for the work.
counted 300 pieces of artillery, all provided with
calssons, and having full complement of men and
horses. The hearts of loyal men trembcd with fear
and they whispered to one another their doubts
whether the Government could resist such formida-
BILE foe. But sthe heights of Gettysburg proved the
impregnable rampant of the nation, and there, when
the sun the fourth day of July 1862 it shone
upon field memorable for victory by which the
grand doctrine of equal rights maintained
On Sunday, July 5th, Hagerstown was again
crowded with sOldiers-n0t proud and defiant host
but the weary remains of the defeated army
Hundreds of wagons filled with wounded men went
rafting through the streets. hurrying towards the
Potomac. Soon the Union cavalry followed in pur-
suit and for more than a week there were skirmshes
i'll every direction, sometimes in the middle of the
town, and the daily apprehension of battle The
st1 tbnn +l,o
Court House. and sharphooters were stationed within
tho corporate limits Amid these perils the sick and
wounded had to be cared for. The people were ready
for their work, and now aided by the Sanitary Com
mission, met the demands Of every sufferer. During
the stay of the rebels there some Individual acts
of fvandasm-bullets fired at random through
the streets, arrests were made wit hout sufficient
cause-but these troubles, incident to war; were en-
dured with equanimity quite soica because of the
conviction that soon brighter days would dawn. At
ter having been under blockade nearly five weeks,
the army that came, terrible with banners, returned
to Virginia, and Washington county was again in the
Union.
But trouble was not ended In July 1864, the ire
preSSible rebels appeared third time not with soft
words, wooing MY Maryland" but with ruder song
to the tune of ourmoney your lfe." The chival-
ric General McCausland arrived, with orders from
Lieut.. Gen. Early to gather up hats. caps, boots
shoes. coats, pants and cash. Many citizen was in
vtedto get out those boots and left to walk home
barefoot Others had their hats suddenly lifted from
their heads and replaced by rebel slouct. The
visitors made themselves comfortable, and openly
avowed that Maryland was of no account to the
confederacy than Pennsylvania. The doings of Nc
Causland demand special notice, and perhaps in a
day or two you may receive narrative of his officer
like proceedings. Be it said, that in this as in all
previous pers the people took such luck as it came
with phiiosophic resignation, and when it away
parted with it with profound satisfaction. VIAToR.