The morning times., 1896-01-20
WANTS THREE MILLIONS
Pennsylvania Bill for Damages
From Confederate Raids.
BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG
War Claims Committee of the House
PASSES Favorably on the Measure.
There Were Three Expeditions and
Certain Counties Suffered Greatly.
Why the Damages Should Be Paid.

Penns ylvania has a big war claim
against the government and is anxious
to have it met.
The bill for relief has just been favor
ably reported by the Committee on War
Claims, OF which Mr.. Mahon, OF that
State, is, chairman. The amount asked
is in round numbers $500 900.
The damage done, for which the bill is
to make reparatioD, was the result OF
three Confederate raids into the Keystone
state. The losses occurred ID the counties
of Adams, Bedford, Cumberland, Frank
lin, Fulton, Perry, Somerset, and YORK.
The first expedition was made by Gen.
Stuart in S62, and the rara ges of his troops
We're coDfnied Principally TO Auams and
Franklin counties. The second was the
adva nee OF Gen. Lee and army, which was
checked at Gettysburg. The third raid
cost the most money
ONLY TOWN BURNED.
on the 29th OF July, 1864, the Confed-
crate brigades OF Johnson and McCaus-
land, consisting OF from $500 to 5000
men, with six guns, crossed the Potomac
and advanced upon Chambcrsburg, the
county seat of Franklin county. The
.own was invested by The entire command
of johnson and McCausIand, and demand
OF 100000 in government funds as a
ransom, a number of citizens being ar
rested and held as hostages for its pay
meDt. No offer OF money was made by the
people, and the town was burned by the
Confederate forces.
1t is for the damages done on these
raids that compensation is asked. The
State has made provision years ago
but never surrendered the claim that
sbp tttSf aahf inst
government.
The State of Pennsylvania claims that her
militia was at the front fighting or at
Washington protecting the archives when
these raids were made. Had they been
within the borders of the State the result
would have been different
The report recites the formation of the
Pennsylvania reserves, known in history
as the greatest fighters of the civil war.
There were thirteen regiments of infantry.
one OF artillery. and one of cavalry. They
constituted standing army for the defense
of the State, but Immediately after Bull
Run they were called into the service OF the
United States.
A REQUEST REFUSED.
just before the burning of Chambersburg
Governor Curtin OF Pennsylvania called the
attention OF the general government to the
constant raids into Maryland and Penn
syivanIa- He asked permission 10 raise
troops TO protect the border counties. But
the request was refused. So with all her
troops away the State was unable TO pro-
tect herself.
The report epitomiZes the claims thus:
The State of Pennsylvania responded to
every call of the government for the com
mon defense. Her quota of tfoops was
never unfIiied. There was no duty she did |
not perform in common with her sister |
States for the maintenance |
or the authority of the Federal govern |
ment. But she was situated on the boz |
der, and in addition 10 responding as |
above stated, and notwithstanding that |
she had the right to expect that the govern
ment would prevent the enemy from enter
ing upon her territory, she organized in /
addition militia of her own to repel any
attempted invasion.
"She took every precaution against
such a calamity. These forces, were or
drilled, armed and equipped at the
expense OF the State, and sta toned to pro-
tect against the very invasion and injuries
or which she now presents this claim.
But there was imminent danger to the
,ntire country OF intellectually greater loss. |
The Capital of the Nation was threatened. |
is vast property interests at the seat OF
government, Its treasury, its archives, its
-ery existence as government-all were
N the greatest peril, and in this crisis, uD
Ter the Constitution, the President called
his force, organized TO protect the State,
o the higher duty OF protecting the nation.
rhe call was responded to by the with
travail of said reserved militia raised by
he State, and that withdrawal left the
'tate defenseless and this injury followed"