USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania > Part 11
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The first raid on the town was made by Gen. Stewart in the Summer of 1863, when he came through Chambersburg from Clear Spring and Hancock. In this raid no part of the town was burned but stores and houses were robbed.
The second raid, not very long after Stewart's raid, was made by Jenkins. Jenkins and his men came into the southern part of the town towards morning. On Main street near German, a house was being built and one of Jenkin's soldier's horses stumbled and the soldier's gun fell to the ground and exploded; Jenkins, thinking that it was some of the inhabitants firing on his men, said, "The first one that fires on my men, I will lay the town in ashes." In this raid nothing was burned, but some of the stores and houses were robbed. Then Gen. Lee and his army passed through on his way to Gettys- burg.
The third and fatal raid was made on July 30, 1864, by Gen. John A. McCausland, who was directed by Gen. Early to take his own brigade of infantry and the cavalry brigade of Gen. Bradley T. Johnson and enter Chambersburg. One of the causes attributed to this raid was, that it was made in retaliation for the terrible dis- aster that General Hunter had been carrying on in Virginia. General McCausland and his men came up to the high hills about two miles west of town at about 10 oclock at night on July 28. They were kept at this place on account of the firing of a single gun, which, with a few men, all the soldiers then at Chambersburg, had been sent to keep back the approach of the enemy.
Chambersburg at this time was the headquarters of the mili-
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tary districts of the Susquehanna; Gen. Couch, the commander, had organized regiment after regiment, especially to guard the southern border, but these all had to go to Washington to help with its defense.
Early Saturday morning, July 30, General McCausland placed 2000 men near the western suburb of the town about a mile from the center. Six pieces of artillery were also placed there and three shells were fired into the town without any notice to the citizens.
Major Harry Gibbon of Baltimore was sent with the remaining 900 men into the town with a requisition to be read to the citizens. The court house bell was rung for the citizens to assemble, but when none appeared Major Gilmore went about the town, and captured about 6 or 8 leading citizens and conducted them to the Court House. Captain Fitz Hugh, McCausland's chief of staff, read the requisition to them. It demanded $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in U. S. currency, or if this was not paid, the town would be fired. This amount of money was not in the town at the time, and the people would not have given it if they would have had it. It would have aided in the overthrow of the Government. When the Confed- erates found that they were not to get the money they fired the town. They burned as far north as King and Main streets; they also burned Col. McClure's house, near where Wilson College now tands. They burned as far south as Washington and Main streets; west on Market as far as the Conococheague creek and as far east as the Cumberland Valley Railroad.
To some of the Confederate soldiers it seemed great delight; they turned a deaf ear to the entreaties and tears of the aged and infirm, and of women and children. To others it was distressing work; but they had to fulfill orders. In some cases the soldiers would help to extinguish flames and in others the officers refused to permit houses to be burned in which were sick or dead people. Many of the dead bodies of the people, awaiting burial, were car- ried from burning houses and buried temporarily in gardens.
The scenes in the streets during the earlier part of the burning were distressing ones. People were running about in search of their friends and mothers after their children. Occupants of houses were dragging their goods from the burning houses.
The Government hospital was situated at Main and German streets. Boxes of bed clothes were removed from the hospital and hid in the cellar opposite it.
The work of destruction began at eight o'clock in the morning and by eleven o'clock the enemy had all gone; but so thorough had they carried on their destructive work that the major part of the
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town, the chief wealth and business; its capitol, and its court house were laid in ruins. Ten squares of buildings were burned and two thousand people were made homeless. The majority never recovered from the disaster. When the fire had subsided and the enemy had gone, the people who had taken refuge in cemeteries and fields around the town, returned to view the remains of their homes. Sad were their feelings when they stood by their homes, the scene of desolation, recognizing here and there some article of furniture or cooking utensil. Sadder still when night came on and they realized that a place of shelter had to be sought. Buildings that had escaped the common destruction were opened, and filled to their utmost capacity. Friends took some of them in. Many left Chambersburg never to reside there again.
About 266 residences and places of business were burned, 98 barns and stables, and 173 outbuildings; making a total of 537 buildings, a loss of $7,628,431. The State Legislature gave $100,000 for the immediate need of the people.
One of the other causes of the burning of the town was in re- venge for innocent hospitality, given to John Brown and his followers when planning the raid on Harper's Ferry. The other is regarded as a barbarous, wanton and unjustifiable act. Gen. Early, after he had seen the work of destruction the North was doing in the South, decid- ed to be revenged by burning some Northern towns. He selected Cham- bersburg as it was the only one of any consequence accessible to his men.
McCausland, after leaving Chambersburg, crossed the Potomac at Cherry Run and McCoy's Fords.
MERCERSBURG
Quiet old Mercersburg has never enjoyed and probably never will be granted any special mention upon the many pages of history that have been, and are yet to be recorded of the great rebellion against the Union; but the local events during that period are both in- teresting and entertaining.
From the 29th day of November 1860 until the 10th day of April 1865, when the ringing of the church bells announced the surrender of Lee's army, the people of this community passed through a period of intense anxiety.
About the first of May a meeting of citizens was held and a com- pany formed, called the Home Guards. Andy McAllister was the first man from town who enlisted in the war. He is still living. On Thursday, December 5th, the Government wagons came to town, and
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bought more then 6000 bushels of oats. This was bought at 30 cents per bushel cash.
During the winter commencing with he first of January 1862 very little of importance happened that can be noted, but every battle whether victorious or not served to start one or two brave volunteers who would join some regiment and report for duty. It was not long after this until our gallant, One hundred and Twenty Sixth regiment was formed-a regiment which, as another writer has expressed it, "Franklin county was pleased to consider especial- ly her own." August 6th, the day on which this regiment left to go to the front, was an eventful day to the people of Mercersburg. The company of fifty-three men, which was organized just after the de- feat of Banks in May, proceeded to Chambersburg, where they re- mained over night. The next morning finding that the situation had changed somewhat, they were told that their services were not needed and were sent home.
On September 11, the report came that Hagerstown was in pos- sesion of the rebels. About 12 o'clock that night the people were awakened by the ringing of the church bells and the sound of drum and fife. Messengers had arrived to hurry our forces on to Green- castle, as the pickets of the rebel army had advanced to near Shady Grove and within about four miles of Greencastle.
The troops started at once for Chambersburg by way of St. Thomas, and when they reached the pike a few miles on this side of St. Thomas they were met by a messenger, who informed them that the reports were much exaggerated. For a second time within six months our men started toward home without as much as having fired a gun.
It will be seen that never in all her history had Mercersburg been so surprised and taken unawares as upon the 10th day of October, 1862. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart with the flower of his famous cavalry crossed the Potomac that morning at McCoy's Ferry above Williams- port and proceeded to make a raid around the army of Mcclellan. The number of troops has been variously estimated, one writer putt- ing it as high as 3,500 mounted men, and six pieces of artillery. They advanced rapidly through Blairs Valley road into the "corner." About a thousand men, wearing union army overcoats and uniforms were sent ahead, and by this means our citizens were led to believe that they were Union Cavalry. These men, after taking many horses, went on toward Claylick. The arrival of several thousand grey- coated cavalry men, closly following their disguised leaders, quickly dispelled the delusion of our citizens that they were entertaining soldiers of the Federal Army. The ranks didn't look as blue as they
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appeared at first, but now it was the natives of the town who were suddenly turning blue.
The cavalrymen set to work in good earnest and after nearly every store in town had been visited to some purpose, the advance column began to leave town, taking the Bridgeport road, and evident- ly bound for Chambersburg. The pickets about town remained at their posts until the last straggling cavalryman had departed.
On Friday, June 19th, 1863, for the second time during the war the rebels made a raid through our town and neighborhood. This expedition was under the immediate command of Colonel Jenkins and numbered about 250 men. About 1 o'clock in the morning they passed through, not doing much damage. They proceeded through the gap to McConnellsburg. They came back over the Hunter road and passed through Mercersburg. On their return quite a number of horses were taken from farmers near town. The next morning the town was much excited by the arrival of 100 Union Soldiers who were on the hunt of the Jenkins party. But they were too late as the Confederates were by this time safe in Rebeldom with their booty.
June 30th was one of the most exciting days under Jeff Davis rule. Gen. Imboden was encamped along the pike near the Gap. Early in the morning he rode into town and made a demand for a large supply of provisions. Just as his demand was about to be fill- ed, he received orders from Lee to move toward Gettysburg. While the division of the confederates under Gen. Heath and the Union cavalry under Gen. Buford were opening the first days battle of Get- tysburg on Seminary Ridge, on the morning of July 1st, our old town was again honored by a company of marauders under the leadership of Captain McNeill.
For several days that followed our town was not troubled much for Lee had already commenced the famous retreat from Pennsyl- vania, after his disasterous defeat at Gettysburg.
Mercersburg though off the route of the great procession, ex- perienced a full share of the excitement and suffering, incident to that memorable fight. Captain Jones, hearing of a great wagon train on its way from Gettysburg to Virginia commanded by Colonel Pierce, made an attack upon it and captured 100 wagons, 400 mules, 100 horses and 648 prisoners. This occurred close to Greencastle.
On June 25th there was another cry of rebels coming, and on the 27th they were reported to be on this side of the river. In the "Annals of the War" Gen. John McCausland says: "We reached Mercersburg about dark, and stopped to feed our horses and give time for the stragglers to come up." Near the corner where the
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Presbyterian parsonage now stands, the battle of Mercersburg was opened. On the confederate side there were 2,800 men under Gen- erals McCausland and Johnson. The union force was under Lieut. H. T. McLean. The battle lasted probably an hour. McLean har- assed McCausland all the way to Chambersburg, and this running fight with the confederates was one of the most exciting episodes in the history of our town.
It seems almost ridiculous to suppose that this little band could offer any material resistance to a force of 2800 trained soldiers, yet it should be remembered that our men were veteran cavalry-men of the regular army. It was indeed "A sharp battle."
So ends the third and last confederate raid in our community.
Many long years have passed away, yet the Grand Army of the Republic is still with us, but their mission now leads them in the walk of peace, and they have taken upon themselves the sacred duty of caring for the soldiers widow, and the soldiers orphans'; of smoothing the pathway for the trembling step of a comrade who has but little farther to march, and laying tenderly to rest him who has ceased from battle for ever.
GREENCASTLE
Greencastle has had many historical events during its existence. When Washington went to the western part of Pennsylvania to put down the whiskey rebelion, he stopped in Greencastle, at a hotel con- ducted by a Mr. Hollar. This was on Saturday evening, then on Sabbath he made a speech to the people, and on Monday morning he started on his journey again.
During the Civil War soldiers came to Greencastle by four differ- ent routes; by the way of Mercersburg, the St. Thomas road, the Hagerstown pike and the Williamsport pike.
While Greencastle is one of the most peaceful boroughs during peace, it is one of the most patriotic during war. Few towns sent more men to the front during the war of the rebellion than did Green- castle, or did they take greater interest in soldiers, when in their midst.
When the army of the Potomac passed through Greencastle, their way being blocked in Baltimore, the citizens brought food of every description, including hot coffee to the soldiers along the streets and public highways.
Robert E. Lee with one hundred thousand soldiers marched through Greencastle to the tune of Dixie. They passed through Washington street to the town hall corner then to the square, and out
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the Chambersburg road under the folds of Bonnie Blue Flags. The soldiers were dressed in grey uniforms.
Around Greencastle clusters recollections which no historian can ignore in chronicling the events of this nation. It has taken the place in history as the temporary headquarters of John Brown. Around it burned the camp fires of the union army. Passing out of town over Shook's hill on the St. Thomas road, we come to Rankin's woods, one mile northwest of the town, where the commands of Col. Franklin and Col. Jennings lay. Moss Spring about one fourth of a mile east of the town, was the preferred camping ground of both armies. Here encamped Col. Bushland's command which was joined by the blue's and grey's of near Hagerstown, Md., under the command of Gen. Warren. This command broke here the last of September and was only too glad to return to tents on the old camping grounds. West of the town on a hill on this side of the cemetery, the signal corp lay and were in touch with like corps at Kasie's Knob on the Tusca- rora mountains which communicated with the army in Virginia.
The scene shifted when on Monday, June 15, 1863, Milroy's wagon train from Martinsburg, West Virginia, dashing in the Wil- liamsport pike and through the town panic stricken on its way to Harrisburg, declared the confederates had crossed the Potomac and would soon be upon us. The fright was contagious and the town was soon in a demoralized state. The citizens had been slow to believe the rumors of Lee's intended invasions and had not taken time or oppor- tunity by the forelock, and now they must act on the impulse of the moment and dispose of themselves and property. Some left, others stayed. Great quantities of goods, horses and wagons were moved north, and to the swamps and thickets of the county, in hope of saving them from falling into the hands of the confederates. At noon the first New York cavalry from Martinsburg which defended the rear of Milroy's wagon train made its appearance, followed by one of our own citizens, who had been scouting between this and Hagerstown. He reported that General Jenkin's West Virginia calvary were but an hours ride from the town. Captain Boyd, knowing their superior numbers, withdrew from the town north, over the Chambersburg road as Jenkins entered it from the south. They remained but an hour on this occasion, searching the stables for horses, and took their departure as quietly as they came. The next day the confederates not only took possession of Green- castle but scoured the country as far north as Chambersburg in search of horses.
On Sabbath night, our citizens retired, not on flowery beds of ease, for the Confederates were dashing through the town and coun-
CORPORAL RIHL MONUMENT.
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try in every direction, and as they woke up the next morning Jen- kin's advance guard passed through the town and met on the Cham- bersburg road a detachment of forty-three of Boyd's men. The New York cavalry led by Corporal Rihl, began to drive the rebel guard back on the main army. The rebels took advantage of the turn and, hiding themselves behind the fences that skirted a wheat field, waited for the approach of the Union forces which came dashing up the road.
Sergeant Cafferty and Corporal Rihl, were in the lead. When almost upon them, the Confederates opened a cross fire and Rihl fell dead from his horse and Cafferty was badly wounded. Corporal Rihl's body was stripped of hat, shoes, and coat buttons, and was then interred in a shallow grave in the field opposite the home of Blair S. Flemming.
Corporal Rihl was the first union soldier to fall on free soil and to give up his life that Liberty might live.
Corporal William H. Rihl, belonged to the first New York Lin- coln cavalry. About one mile from Greencastle, along the Cham- bersburg road adjacent to a farmyard is where he is buried. There is a large monument erected at his grave to his memory.
This battle or skirmish which took place at the outskirts of the town was fought in Mr. Fleming's wheat field. It looked as if the battle of Gettysburg which followed would take place here. Fences were cut down and cannons were run to the top of the hills and planted for action, but the Union forces were but forty in number, and Jenkin's whole army wheeled and dashed toward Chambers- burg. The other army was left alone.
The number of rebels which passed through the town is esti- mated at from 50,000 to 60,000, and they had with them 192 cannon. Those that went by way of Waynesboro, General Early's corps and two divisions of Hills corps, totalled from 20,000 to 30,000.
When the battle was raging at Gettysburg, Greencastle was still the scene of active military operations.
The peace of our town was once more disturbed when on July 4th Captain Dahlgren reappeared and on learning that a squad of rebel cavalry about 50 in number was coming in the Williamsport pike, they took a position on East Baltimore street and waited their approach to the square. It was a daring undertaking for 17 soldiers to attempt to take or put to flight 50, but at the bugles blast, they all dashed through the square and into South Carlisle street, capturing a considerable number of the Confederates and driving the remainder helter-skelter out of town. The firing was sharp and the bullets whistled up and down the street. Captain Dahlgreen piloted
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by Thomas Pawling, carried captured dispatches to Gen. Meade. The retreat of Lee's defeated army was witnessed by our citizens as it passed through town and the suffering and mangled moved many a strong-minded man and woman to sympathy, and they felt the blush of shame for the dark crime of war.
While the enemy was coming to town the merchants tried to take their goods away and store them in safe places. There was great excitement. For three days and three night the rebel army ' kept pouring into the town on the way to Gettysburg.
Gen. Lee rode at the head of the command. When he came into town he was recognized by many of her citizens. It was on this occasion, that one of Greencastle's fairest damsels (Cora Harris) stepped to the curb stone and waved the Union flag over the ranks of the rebel army while they were passing through town.
While the battle of Gettysburg was raging, Greencastle was making history on her streets. Capt. Dahlgreen captured a rebel command of dispatch bearers on July 2, with two foreign dispatches from Davis to Gen. Lee saying: "I cannot send you any more rein- forcements."
Greencastle is rich in historical events. It was here that John Brown made his headquarters, previous to his attempt to free the slaves, which resulted so disastrously to him at Harper's Ferry.
HAGERSTOWN IN THE CIVIL WAR
The passing of the Confederate Army through Hagerstown was a marvelous sight. They came through, a terrible army with banners. First infantry up the Sharpsburg pike, then more from William- sport and large numbers up the Boonsboro pike, converging at Hag- erstown and marching in an almost endless procession straight up the turnpikes leading toward Pennsylvania. Thousands upon thous- ands were marching to death, never again to see their sunny South- ern land. Their banners were flying in the wind and band after band came along playing "Dixie," some "Maryland My Maryland," and many more "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Sixty thousand men with their supply trains, and two hundred cannon each drawn by a num- ber of horses made a great procession and the number of great wagons, the artillery and the ceaseless tramp, tramp of the men and horses on the stone roads, resounded in the ears of the awe stricken people of Hagerstown for days. For nearly two days Lee paused while his army was gathering in Hagerstown. His head- quarters were on the Williamsport road near Halfway and here he planned, consulted with his generals and gathered information about the roads leading across into Adam's County, or straight to
t f S li A si th hi ha
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Chambersburg. In all these movements there were no Federal troops to make any opposition. Jenkin's cavalry encountered none either in Greencastle nor Chambersburg and after gathering a num- ber of horses and cattle from Pennsylvania farmers which he paid in Confederate script, he returned to Hagerstown on June 20 and went into camp to await the general movement of the army. On June 27, Lee had left his headquarters on the Williamsport road and, with his army was in Chambersburg while detachments had gone as far as Carlisle and were threatening Harrisburg. Finally all the invading army left Washington County and there was a period of calm and suspense in Hagerstown. The town had been deserted by the most active of the Union people and those of both sides who remained felt that it was no time for petty faction.
Before day dawn on July 5, the roar and rumble of multitudes of wagons was heard in the streets and the people were startled from their beds. All day long they came. It was the supply train of Lee's defeated army. The next morning the soldiers came, sadly reduced in numbers, bringing many of their wounded, but leaving thousands of their dead, buried in hostile soil. Lee's army had remained confronting Meade all the day after the battle caring for the wounded and burying the dead. Then he started his train southward and leaving Ewell as a rear guard in front of Gettysburg, he started with his broken army towards Virginia. Ewell holding the position he did, forced Meade to follow Lee back by a more cir- cuitous route on the east of the mountains, and the two armies came South by parallel lines just as they had gone North. The belief was that Lee had been completely routed and was in disorder- ly retreat. As usual after the great battles of the Civil War copious rams followd quick upon the battle of Gettysburg. The Potomac was swollen so that it could not be crossed. No bridges had been left and the fords were dangerous torrents. It was believed that the Confederates were trapped.
It is likely that Meade received more censure for not capturing the army of Northern Virginia at Hagerstown than he received praise for his victory at Gettysburg which saved the Union. But Lee had sent his engineers on in advance from Gettysburg to select a new line of battle covering the crossing of the Potomac at Williamsburg. And when Meade arrived he had had six days to strengthen his po- sition. At Hagerstown Meade did not have in his army much more than 50,000 or 55,000 effective troops. If Lee had come from be- hind his breastworks to give battle it is likely that Meade would have defeated him. But intrenched as the Southerners were, it is en- tirely probable that Meade took the wisest course. On July 6 the re-
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