History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 42

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 42

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

thousands of the paper circulation of the York Bank, in $1 and $2 notes. The bulk was a serious obstacle in the way of trans- portation. The directors did not relish the idea of leaving so much money to fill the pockets of the invaders. As there was no time for consideration, the whole quantity was put into an immense carpet bag, and thus carried to Philadelphia in safety. All persons having private boxes and valuable deposits of silverware, or other articles, were notified to take them away, as the bank offi- cers could not assume the responsibility of removing them. There was a large tin box unclaimed. As it could not be identified, and was too heavy to take, it was left in the safe. Some months afterward a prominent citizen of York called for his box. After a long search it was found hidden away, and proved to be the one left. It contained gov- ernment bonds to the value of many thou- sands, and a large amount of gold and silver coin. It would have well paid Gen. Early if he had taken a fancy to inspect the inte- rior of the bank. The banking house of Weiser Sons & Carl was taken to Easton by Charles Weiser, Jr., who reached there too late at night to deposit in any of the banks ; the hotel safes being packed with valuables from the refugees, he was compelled to watch his precious load all night in his bed cham- ber. It is impossible at the present day, with almost hourly trains, and perfect facili- ties for safe conveyance and travel, to realize the obstacles in the way of the hurried re- ! moval of so much treasure in cars crowded with an excited multitude fleeing from dan- ger. (All the banks resumed business on the 3d of July, but the securities remained in Philadelphia some months. The second re- moval of the bank treasures occurred just before the burning of Chambersburg. The deposits were then taken to Reading. The postoffice was taken to Lancaster on the even- ing of the 27th, as the situation hourly be- came more threatening./ Mr. Alexander Frey, the postmaster, ordered everything to be packed ready for instant removal, but con- tinued the distribution of the mails as they came in. About 5 P. M., as he was shutting up the office, some one came to him in great excitement, and told him the Confederates had reached Bottstown Gate, Maj. Haller's command in their retreat being taken for them, when they first appeared at the edge of the town. Mr. Frey went out into the street, and saw the mounted troups, which were re- ported to be the enemy's advance. There was no available means of transportation ; he ran to the express office. The wagon was

standing there with the horse in the shafts. He could see nothing of the agent, Mr. Rus- sell, and without waiting for consent, took possession of the wagon, loaded up his mail- bags, and drove in great haste in the direc- tion of the Columbia Pike. Mr. Russell soon came back to move his valuables, but could find no trace of his wagon. Hearing from a bystander of its seizure he hurried after, and overtook it below Freystown. Fortu- nately for the mail-bags, Mr. John H. Small was driving toward town with Mr. David E. Small. Mr. Frey pressed them into the ser- vice, and Mr. Small gave up his wagon and both gentlemen went to Lancaster with Mr. Frey. Mr. Frey had requested Mr. Kauff- man, who was in the postoffice, to remain, and, if possible, bring up the business to the end of the quarter, but on Sunday, finding that no mails were perinitted to come in, Mr. Kauffman was advised to leave. He walked to Lancaster, and joined Mr. Frey that even- ing. $Previous to this date, the situation grew daily more threatening. Many persons sent away their plate and jewelry. On the 26th and 27th, a large proportion of the. horses and stock were put beyond reach. When Gen. Gordon's command was really ap- proaching, we had become so accustomed to. the rumor, "The Rebels are coming," that we hardly credited the oft-told tale, until positive proofs were brought in by our scouts, who reported the advance force but a few miles from town. ( Mr. Arthur B. Farquhar started immediately and succeeded in getting: through the lines. I here insert his letter in part :

On Saturday morning. June 27, 1863, the excite- ment had increased. Rumors were rife of the immediate invasion of the rebel troops. I proposed to Mr. Samuel Small and others that a representa- tive should be sent out to meet the invaders and learn their purposes, and arrange terms, as we had no means of defense. One of the Committee of Safety asked, " Who would bell the cat?" referring, I suppose, to the old fable, and a celebrated remark of one of the Douglasses. As I was familiar with the country, having driven over it several times, and believed that several of my old schoolmates. were in the rebel army, I undertook the mission; reached the advance guard of Gordon's brigade at Abbottstown; obtained an introduction to Gen. Gordon, and secured, in writing, an outline of terms of occupation, in substance that no private property should be destroyed, that the ladies should be respected (to use Gen. Gordon's own words, " the slightest indignity offered to any of our ladies would be punished with immediate death)," and if the army was supported and supplied with provis- ions and clothes, private property would be re- spected. Securing Gen. Gordon's signature to this written agreement, and having it verbally approved by Gen. Early, I obtained the password and re- turned, running the gauntlet of the pickets, who had orders, it appears, not to pass me. Upon my arrival in town I reported to Maj. Haller and the Committee of Safety at Small's store, and it was

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decided (wisely, I think, now) to send a committee out to complete terms of occupation. This delega- tion was composed of our Chief Burgess: Mr. David Small, William Latimer Small, Gen. Hay. Thomas White and myself. We found the troops had fallen back two miles from where I passed the pickets, deciding to encamp there for the night, it appears, although when I left them they anticipated reach- ing town that evening, and our committee expected to meet them near town. We found Gen. Gordon in bed at his headquarters, a little farmhouse at the side of the road, and, after a full talk, in which he reiterated what he had promised me, repeated his assurances ahout the protection of property in case the army was maintained; promised again particu- larly that none of our people should suffer the slightest indignity under any circumstances, the thing I was most particular about, and gave us per- mission to return to town. They kept faith in the main, but insisted upon the army being paid, as well as clothed while with us, and in greenbacks instead of Confederate currency, as we would have preferred. Private property was not molested. nor was there any disorder. Gens. Gordon and Early made it a condition upon protecting our factories and other property that we were not manufacturing for the government. I assured them of this, but, finding that some cars were being made to be used by the army, although not made directly for the government, we had hard work to save the shops.

Yours very truly, A. B. FARQUHAR.

These gentlemen went by order of the Committee of Safety, which was composed of fifteen of the most prominent members of the community-Gen. Hay carried the white flag of truce. Some persons had left town, but the greater part of the inhabitants remained calmly awaiting whatever might come to them in the fortunes of war. It was a brilliant June night when the committee returned with Gen. Gordon's assurances of safety, providing his commands were not molested, .and no resistance was made to the occupation of the town. Inasmuch as we were utterly without means of defense, there was not much danger of opposition. Morning dawned clear and beautiful. A Sabbath stillness reigned over the ancient borough. " At the usual hour for worship, the bells rang out the call to service, the streets were filled with the church-going people, when they were suddenly startled by a furious rider dashing through Main Street, shouting, "The rebels are at Bottstown Gate." He vanished down the pike to carry the news to Wrightsville and Columbia, and a moment after, on the distant hills, a line of glittering bayonets flashed in the morning sun, and the superbly mounted cavalry of Gen. Gordon rode rap- idly into town and halted in Centre Square under the flag which boldly proclaimed a loyal community.\\ As they were approaching, Mr. John Evans, who lived at the corner of Cen- tre Square, implored the citizens to take down the flag. In a voice choked with emo- tion the venerable old gentleman said, "Is it possible I have lived to this day to see the

flag torn down and trampled in the dirt ?" A number of citizens gathered around, and joined with him, urging that we were an overpowered town, and our flag would be taken away. A gentleman standing by said, "Let them take the flag and I will replace it," (which was done by him, and within a month a superb new flag floated in the breeze never again to be lowered by a disloyal hand). " It was quickly seized by a Confeder- ate officer and born away in triumph as a trophy of a defenseless town. Gen. Gordon and his escort continued their advance to Wrightsville. Gen. Early followed the ad- vance immediately into town with the flower of the Confederate Army. As the streets filled with his forces, we fully realized that we had not fallen into the hands of a demoral- ized horde of starving hirelings, but a disci- plined army with nerve, vigor and brain, fully equal to the emergencies of war. They had indeed made a field night of it, and had fort- ified the surrounding hills, thus placing the town entirely at their mercy, under the fire of their guns. What might we not fear from these desperate men, smarting with memories of distant, desolate homes and ruined vil- lages, and fired by the energy of despair in this last supreme effort to assert their inde- pendence. At a signal the infantry threw themselves down on the pavement, resting their heads on their knapsacks. After a brief rest they were assigned to stations in different parts of the town. A large force occupied the hospital barracks./

The arms that were left there were broken by the order of Dr. Palmer. One lot of very fine rifles had been loaded on wagons for re- moval to a place of concealment. While the men were dragging them away (there were no horses on this side of the river) Gen. Gordon's advance entered town. The wag- ons were hastily run down the hill to an out- house, where they remained untouched until after the departure of the Confederate troops. Gen. Early assumed military command. He looked like a plain, country farmer in his worn and dusty military undress and felt hat, with broad, flapping rim shading his rugged face. He greeted the bystanders in a bluff, off-hand manner, but his keen, black eyes, peering from under the shaggy brows, took in every detail of the situation. He was much impressed with the evidences of thrift and prosperity in the beautifully built borough with its clean, regular streets shaded with trees, and with the comfortable well-to- do air of the citizens, and expressed great surprise at the crowds of ladies in their hand- some costumes hurrying home from the

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churches. He at once decided that such a community could well afford to pay a good round sum for their personal safety. and the preservation of their homes and public build- ings. Accompanied by his staff, he went di- rectly to the house of the chief burgess, who courteously invited him in. Gen. Ear- ly went in without his escort, and had an amicable conference with Mr. Small. He asked for $100,000 in money. Mr. Small told him that the banks had been removed. and that it would be impossible to obtain such a large sum of money. "What," said he, "in such a rich country as this these people must have laid by immense sums. I am sure you can find it hoarded up in the farmers' canvas bags and housewives' stock- ings." "But," remonstrated the burgess, "these hard-working people have not earned their money to give it to you." Early do- clared in his proverbially forcible language, that he must and would have it. An hour was fixed upon for a meeting of the citizens to settle terms with him. While Gen. Early was taking some refreshments, some one in the crowd outside dropped a pistol. He started to his feet in an excited manner, thinking an attack upon his escort had com- menced.

At the appointed hour a meeting took place at the court house. The Committee of Safety and many influential citizens gathered there to confer with Gen. Early, who made his demands upon the authorities of the town with threats, and said: "I am in the enemy's country, and my men must be fed and clothed. I know the things which I have demanded are here. I know where they are, if you do not supply them, I must and shall take them." There was no alternative, we were utterly in his power, and the authorities were forced to comply with his requisitions. Refusal and remonstrance were alike impos- sible, under the circumstances. He was clothed with the full power of a military dic- tator, which he promised to administer in good faith if he was met in like manner, but woe be unto the community, if any other line of action were attempted.

Guards were stationed in different portions of the town to protect property. A sentinel was placed before the door of our house, pacing his beat with ceaseless step, occasion- ally halting to rest against a tree. I tried to learn the reason for this patrol. His reply was : "I must obey orders." I offered him food as the day wore on, and he contin- ued his measured tread. He civilly replied: "I thank you madam, we are not allowed to accept anything." I learned subsequently

he was stationed to prevent the escape of Dr. Roland, who was in the United States Army service, as well as for the protection of the house. Hour after hour passed. Save the tread of sentinels and march of troops the town was hushed in silence. We knew not how soon might come a signal to unleash the dogs of war in our midst, and give our homes a prey to the invader; although Gen. Early had ordered the saloons and beer shops to be closed, and the soldiers were forbidden to encroach upon private dwellings, we feared an outbreak. The discipline, self-control and endurance of the troops were marvelous. All that long, hot day they stood at their posts, starving in the midst of plenty, with- out even a cup of cold water, until the demand for supplies had been filled, and flour and beef carried to the headquarters. At night the men were summoned to the first hot cooked meal of bread and meat they had eaten for many a day. Flour was furnished by the firm of P. A. & S. Small. On Sunday after- noon much excitement was occasioned at the sight of Samuel Small, Jr., riding through the street, escorted by Maj. Snodgrass, quartermaster of the Confederates, and the colonel of a Louisiana regiment. Gen. Early ordered the firm to send one of their mem- bers to the mills, which were guarded by their employees, to see the flour delivered. The following morning reports came to town that the mills had been sacked and the flour thrown into the run, and great damage com- mitted. Mr. Small went to Gen. Early, who ordered him to go and look after his property .. He naturally objected to a journey of several miles through a country occupied by an enemy's forces. Gen. Early said, "You must go, but I will give you a pass." The pass read as follows:

Permit Samuel Small, Jr., to pass to Loucks and Codorus to procure flour for the C. S. A. By order of Maj. Gen. Early. W. G. GALLOWAY, A. D. C.

Mr. Small had secreted a horse for a pos- sible emergency, in the old stable behind the drug store of Charles A. Morris. He, there. fore had the satisfaction of riding his own horse to the mills. He found the story a canard. The mills were safe, and nothing disturbed. On the way he had continual offers to swap horses, and was frequently stopped and his right of way challenged, but the pass from Gen. Early was all powerful. A countryman came in on Sunday evening, and reported that his mules had been taken. He was referred to one of the officers, a cap. tain in the regiment, to whom he made his complaint. "How many did you lose?" was

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the inquiry. "Two." "Two mules! what an example of the patriotism of these North ern heroes! I have staked everything on this issue, houses, lands, negroes, money, every- thing I have in this world, and you complain of two mules," said he, with pathetic irony. "Go to the court house and tell your wrongs to Gen. Early. I think you can get your mules." They were restored to him at once. They expressed great surprise at the thickly inhabited country and numbers of men. One of the officers approached a party of young men and said, " What are you doing here, why are you not in the service? are you disabled ?" "Oh, no," said one jokingly, "we are not needed yet. our services have not been called for."

The long day, so full of anxious fears, ended at'last, but there was not much sleep that night. On Monday Gen. Early sent for the president judge of the district, and made a demand for the keys of the offices of the court house. Judge Fisher asked why he wanted them. He replied that he in- tended to destroy the records. When asked the reason for the barbarous intention, he said, the Union soldiers had burned Fairfax court house, with all the deeds aud archives of the county, and now was the time for retaliation. After an earnest appeal to his sense of honor and justice in an unresisting, helpless community, he consented to at least defer the work of destruction, and inquired if there was not some property there that was contraband of war. He was informed that there was a large lot of cigars. "Ah," said he, "that is good, let us have them. Where were they made?" When told they were York County cigars, he shrugged his shoulders, and drily said, "I think we won't rob you of them." The day dragged along and we were still at the mercy of our captors. The town was disturbed by fright- ful rumors. Now it was said that orders had been issued to cut off the water pipes, and fire the town; then, that the soldiers had rebelled and were about to sack the town. Some amusing incidents occurred in the dealings with the shopkeepers. One old gentleman, who kept a clothing store, had concealed most of his stock, and declared he had nothing to sell, but was tempted by a liberal offer in gold, for some shirts, from a Confederate officer, who went back to the quarters, and reported where shirts could be obtained. A posse of " Louisiana Tigers" went and asked for shirts. When the old gentleman refused to sell, they got into his store to search for themselves. In addition to clothing, he kept a small supply of fine

old whisky, and other choice liquors, which the boys discovered in their search for the shirts. He objected to giving them auy, and they turned him out, and locked the door, and indulged in a royal spree. A great crowd gathered round his premises to dis- cover the cause of the disturbance, which doubtless gave rise to the report that a loot had commenced. At one place several men bought a large quantity of goods, selecting the best of the stock, assuring the owner that they would pay for everything they had selected. They asked for an item bill to be made out and receipted, and paid the amount in Confederate notes, which were received with a rueful countenance, nothwithstanding the assurances of the officers in charge of the men, that the day would come, when he would be glad to have some Confederate money in his hands. They usually paid for all articles for private use, in greenbacks, but everything purchased for army use was paid in their own currency.

The portable machinery of the car-shops, and the rolling stock of the railway were taken to Columbia on Friday, the 26th. Fred. Scott, who had charge of the shops, railroad machinery and rolling stock at the station, hid the tools, with a large quantity of oil and some other property, which could not be moved for want of time, and means of trans- portation, in a pile of cinders and a sewer trench, which had just been dug. The Con- federates took possession of his office, but did not do any damage. They seized a Union flag, which he always kept there, but finally returned it to him uninjured. He still shows it as a reminder of the days when he was a subject of Jeff. Davis.

On Monday afternoon it was reported that the car-shops and buildings at the rail- road station were about to be fired. A panic ensued in the neighborhood. The people filled casks and tubs with water and began to remove their furniture. As the posse of Early's men marched down street, women and children were crying and begging for help to save their property. Gen. Early had gone to the station to examine the location of the two car-factories, and the railroad depot, and ascertain if they could be burned with- out burning private houses. He took the chief burgess with him and directed him to have his fire engines on the spot to prevent the fire from spreading if he decided to burn the two factories, etc. His requisition upon the town had been" complied with, ex cept of the demand for $100,000 in money, only $28,000 had been paid to the Confed- erate quartermaster. Gen. Early says,

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after examining the locality, "I was satisfied that neither the car-factories. nor the depot, could be burned without setting fire to a number of houses near them, some of which were of wood, and I determined not to burn, but thought I would make a further effort to get the balance of the $100,000, so I took a seat in the railroad depot, which was filled with a large number of boxes containing goods, that had never been opened, and said to the mayor. 'If you will pay me the balance of the $100,000, I have called for. I will save these car-factories and depot.' He replied, . General, I would do so very will- ingly, but the fact is, I have raised all the money I could raise in town, and a good deal of it has been contributed in small sums. I don't know any man in town who has more than one dollar.' During this con- versation a messenger from Gen. Ewell brought a dispatch ordering me to retrace my steps and join Gen. Lee. I then took the mayor to one side, and told him I had deter- mined not to burn as I was satisfied it would endanger the safety of a considerable por- tion of the town. York could not have raised the money, if I had prolonged my visit and staid there several days."

The soldiers made a bonfire of some old cars which had been used for government transportation. After receiving his dispatch from Gen. Ewell, Gen. Early rode hastily away, and it was evident that some impor- tant news had been brought him. During the night the constant rumbling of the heavy artillery wheels, and hurried march of the soldiery, proved that they were changing their position. About 6 A. M. on Tuesday morning Gen. Gordon and his staff passed through in great haste.

We were rejoiced to once more see our streets free from hostile soldiery, and to breathe the air of freedom. But we were left in entire ignorance of the movements of either army. It was rumored that the Con- federates had met the Union Army, and that a battle was then being fought in the imme- diate neighborhood. We lived in an isolated world. We had no means of communication beyond the limits of the town. For three days and nights we listened with strained ears and beating hearts to the constant roar of artillery, which told of the terrible con- flict raging between the armies. Beyond this we knew nothing; unofficial reports reached our ears from time to time, and it was rumored that the victorious enemy were returning on their track to lay waste and plunder the fertile fields and fair homesteads that lay in their way

On Friday night we heard of our glorious victory, and that the invaders were retreating across the Potomac in discordant haste. Ou Saturday the glad tidings were confirmed, but with the confirmation came the horrible story of suffering and destitution among the wounded men of both armies lying in the field hospitals at Gettysburg, accompanied with an urgent appeal for help. The entire community began to prepare and pack sup- plies. The stirring town presented a strange contrast to the silent gloom which had hung over it for a week. Centre Square was filled - with wagons, packed by willing hands with supplies of every description. A train of forty wagons was soon ready to start. By 3 o'clock in the afternoon horses were brought back, and the last wagon soon disappeared over the hills to carry relief perchance to the very men who a week before had marched into our midst with flying colors and martial music, now wounded prisoners left to the mercy of their foes. Thus ended one of the most thrilling events in the annals of York.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 42

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104