Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-02-01
Although by the summer Of 1868 the

Although by the summer OF 1868 the
people of Gettysburg and its vicinity
had learned from actual experience
that they were in the very track of Con-
federate raids and inyasions, yet they
were not prepared for such thing as
the concentration of the entire Army of
Northern Virginia at their doors. The
terrors of that people in that critical
time can not be known; they are part
of the great unwritten history of the war.
Rumors of the advance of the mighty
host down the valley had reached them,
and night after night they could
see the camp fires to the west
and north along the mountains, as the
army diverged to different points.
When the concentration began, and
when it was reported that the advance
of the Army Of the Potomac was at
Emmittsburg, it was known at once
that there must be battle at Gettys-
burg. Who can depict the terror OF
that situation? You cannot find it in
the books; but I have been told that
as the battle of July LIST ragged north
west of the town, and the savage up
roar swelled nearer and nearer, there
were old people, the sick, and women
in delicate condition, who positively
died from fright. They were not
enumerated in the reports, but they
were as truly killed by the battle as
was any soldier who lost his life there.
There are other curious items con-
nected with that invasion which are not
seen in print. I was stationed at Get
tysburg long before that time, and
heard much from the loyal people there
about the considerable number of Use
cesh" in the vicinity, as they called
them, who sympathized with the Con-
federacy. was told after that cam
paign that none of the Confederate
Generals had to impress guide while
on Pennsylvania soil: that there were
always people who freely volunteered
to show the invaders the road from
point to point.
The border was unmolcsted for year
afterward. Then, on July 80, 1864,
came the sudden Eruption of McCaus-
lands cavalry into Chambersburg, and
the ruthless burning of that town when
the citizens were unable to produce the
heavy ransom required. Again there
was wild alarm all through the south
ern counties of the State, and hurry
ing of Union troops up that way Other
places, including Gettysburg, were
menaced at this time, but were fortu-
nately saved.
War writer's who indulge in high
flown sentiment, in treating of the wars
great events, have told us that the
Union victory at Gettysburg rolled
back and ended the invasion of the
North" The latter part of the asser-
ton is absurd. Southern Pennsyl-
vania was never in greater danger than
during the summer and early fall of
1864; it was never entirely relieved
from the danger of invasion till not
only were the Confederate forces in
the Shenandoah destroyed, but the
Valley itself was put in such a condi-
ton that hostile army could not sub
sist there. Not till then was the Dor
der secure.
The loss of property by the Pennsyl-
vanians during these invasions and
raids was heavy, and they have often
asked Congress for compensation. But
this is only one of many situations dur.
ing the war where the loyal people
suffered from the movements Of hostile
armies. These are the inevitable effects
of condition of war, and Congress
has always decided that the Govern
ment should not pay the sses.-CAi
cago Ledger.
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