Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-03-01


Franklin and Adams counties had beeI
kept in o state of suspense and uneasl-
ness by McCausland's cavalry, which
had made several incursions into that
section with remarkable results. For
several weeks previous to the raid to
Chambersburg it had been reported
that we had crossed the Potomac; and
were steering up the Cumberland Val
| ey, all which, being untrue, the faru-
ers aft erwards treated these reports
with indifference, apathy seized them,
and when wo did go we found every
body at home stock, &c.
M'cAUsLAND's REGIMENTS.
McCausland's command consisted OF
the Eighth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, and
Sevent etnth Virginia Cavalry, and COL
onel Witcher's Battalion, to which had
been added for this occasion the Mary
landers of General Bradley T. johnson.
We left the vicinity of Martinsburg on
Thur, day night, and crossed the Poto-
10 &C about noon on Friday, July 29th,
at Cherry Run. about thirty miles from
where we started. Harry Gilmer had
asked Il e privilege Of conducting the
advance, which was granted, and when
we anIyed on the banks of the Poto-
mac the Marylanders were safely on
the other side waiting for { s. The
ri yer at this point was deep and wide,
and it was novel sight to see mon
scattered over the riy or with a firm
grip on the horses tails, slowly toiling
to a snqll island in the middle of the
stream, from which point ii was ford
able. Not a man r horse was lest III
crossing, and two hours suffice d for the
whole command to safely land and
form. 1t was known where we were
going, an when night came on we
were twenty miles from the Potomac,
It was a clear, starry night, and forty
miles had to be made ty daylight.
Orders had been issued for the men to
avoid boisterous talking orlaughing,and
so well were these instructions carried
out that we passed through villages
and towns with our 1000 men and were
not discovered by The sleepers. On
the approach Of dawn it was whispered
arc und that we were in the vicinity OF
Chambersburg, and when it became
broad daylight we we're in line of bat
tie on ths high hills overlooking the
doomed city.
The Eighth Regiment was dismount-
ed, and started into town, followed by
small detachment Of mounted cavalry,
on streets and alleys conyerging OF
what was called the Diamond about
the centre Of the town. A battery Of
four small pieces occupied the eminence
which occasionally threw shells over
the city, which, suppose, was done
to intimidate rather than harm.
TRIBUTE OF SACRIFICE.
When the men had arrived at tht
objective point, the citizens and CITY
Council were summoned before Gen
eral McCausland and adiutant- Genera
Fitshugh read them the order OF Gen
eral Early. levying tribute OF $lOo
900 in gold, or 100000 in United
State, currency for the burning o
property by the Federal army IN Viz
ginia. This little pamphlet 1 mention
ed shove, written by Rev. DIR. Schrecl
has this to say on the point:
Captain Fitzhugh exhibited to ]
W. Douglas, Esq, an attorney Of this
place, a written order, with the nau'
Of Jubal Early to 1t, directing tina
Chambersburg sbould be burned in re-
taliation for the burning OF six houses
in Virginia by Hunter. The burning
OF Chambersburg was then ordered BY
one of the corps commanders OF Gen.
eral Lees army. instead Of = gusrillf
chief, thus placing the responsibility