Franklin County: "Rebel Invasion of Pennsylvania," by unknown, June 10 & 17, 1927
Summary: Description of life in Greencastle while it was occupied by the Confederate army in June 1864.
As civilization has no perminent home in this life but comes and goes with the ages leaving in course of time no living witness of human events we deem it a duty to keep the reading public and especially the readers of Kauffmans Progressive News is touch with the history of the late Civil War as acted out in Greencastle.
It is taken from the files of The Pilot a weekly Greencastle publication under the ownership and control of the late James McCrory who conducted it from January 15, 1861 to July 16, 1864 and is the only authentic account in existence.
The events as they transpired were written not on the impulse of the moment but after at least a weeks consideration and comparison of notes with other witnesses of the scenes. There was no need of putting a thrill in the news or enlarging upon it. It had all the thrill the citizens were looking for and then some. The facts were gathered and compiled as we herewith give them, word for word as recorded.
The facts as given are often called for by tourists, strangers and new comers to the town as well as school children in search of local history as related to this community. It should be ready information on the tongues of all as there is no excuse for any citizen not being familiar with the history of the town, especially Lee's invasion which occurred June 1863, just 64 years ago this month and which was followed by the battle of Gettysburg July 1, 2 and 3, which terminated in defeat for the Confederate army and broke the backbone of the rebellion.
For weeks we had been constantly told by the daily press that the Rebel Army, under General Lee, intended to invade the North.-But so accustomed were we to rumors of this kind, that no attention was paid to the warning. Many thought it very probable that the Confederates might make the attempt. Some hooted at the idea of such a thing, while others said, "let them come, and they will find force enough to check them before they tread the "free soil" of Pennsylvania." So, from one reason or another, no timely preparation was made. All thought that if such undertaking was really contemplated by Gen. Lee that, in an event, his cohorts could not be precipitated upon us ere we were aware of it. It took Longstreet almost a week, in September, 1862, to march from Frederick City, Md., to Hagerstown; and surely the army of Gen. Lee could not leave Culpepper and reach the Potomac before we were aware of it. The sequel tells another tale.
On the evening of Sabbath, June 14, 1863, we heard that Gen. Milroy had been threatened by a superior force, at Winchester, Va., and that the United States troops had been driven out of Martinsburg. The affair seemed inexplicable, and many chose to disbelieve the story. On the morning of the day (Monday) a large number of wagons belonging to the wagon train of Milroy, passed through town at a furious rate. The teamsters were evidently in a most woeful "panic," and said the Rebels were just in their rear, and that they had been fired into on this side of the river. Despite the former indifference of our citizens, the panic some how became contagious. The merchants, who had already began to pack up their goods, hurried still more, and made banner and nails fly faster than ever.-Horses were run off to the country to places of fancied security. Good housewives, too, were in great agitation and bustle. They were alarmed lest the Rebels might burn and destroy and what were they to do with their furniture, bedding and wearing apparel? It was a puzzle, truly. Non came and with it a detachment of the First New York Cavalry under Capt. Boyd, which had succeededin getting away from Winchester, and protested the rear of the wagon train spoken of above. An hour more and the Rebels had not yet appeared.-The people grew cooler. Some thought that Milroy had been frightened. At all events, the foe would not cross the Potomac. Affairs reminded in state quo for a few hours more.-At 6 o'clock, P. M., one of our citizens who had ridden to watch the appoach of the invaders, came in in hot haste, his steed covered with foam and quivering in every limb from the great speed at which it had been compelled to travel. This citizens had reported that he had got into the advance at the State Line-had talked to officers and men-told them he lived in the vicinity of Middleburg, and was allowed to turn off at a by-road, by which means he succeeded including them, and got to the place just in time to give the telegraph operator and other officials an opportunity to make good their escape. The New York Cavalry knowing their own force to be too small to offer resistance, wheeled and left. In a few minutes, Gen. Jenkins's Western Virginia Cavalry dashed into town, and finding the coast clear, commenced their pleasant task of searching stables, and taking there from all the horses they could find. Their stay on this occasion, hardly exceeded an hour. We were confident then that it was only a raid for plunder. We lay down to sleep, and our slumbers were disturbed by visions of Jenkins and his men.-Morning dawned and small squads of cavalry were dashing up and down the streets. It was ascertained that the gang had spread out in all directions, securing the country for horses.-They had taken possession of Chamberburg. A couple of their messengers were captured by some civilians of Waynesboro; and taken to that place. In the afternoon of this day, (Tuesday) a lot of "contrabands," about thirty in number, under charge of a Chaplain and three or four other soldiers on their way to Hagerstown, were captured by a crowd of people near East Baltimore street. The darkies were liberated, and the Chaplain and soldiers sent toward Waynesboro. This created a wonderful excitement. In the evening a number of citizens sighed a paper, protesting against the proceedings, and presented it to a Rebel Colonel(-,) who desired to know what had become of the missing men.-The next day the captured Rebels were released and brought back. The Chaplain demanded $50,000 in lieu of the contrabands; and in case this was not complied with, the town should certainly be burned. Two horses were given to make up the money. Every one knew the money could not be made np, so many of the citizes commenced to remove valuables, in anticipation of the "burning." The allowed time passed, and the money was not forth coming-and the town was not burned. In the evening the main body, under Jenkins, retreated towards Hagerstown with a large number of horses, wagons and plunder. That same night we believe two hundred and fifty men, under Gov.Furguson, went to M'Conellsburg and captured horses, &c. We congratulated ourselves that evening upon the termination of the "raid." The next morning, however, about 10 o'clock A. M., as some hands were employed in repairing the telegraph line, a sudden dash was made into town, and the hand car and hands captured, but were soon after released. Each succeeding day of the week witnessed a repetition of former scenes. Capturing horses was all the go. Indeed it seemed as if these men possessed some sort of peculiar instinct in finding horses which were concealed in the most secret places. They found tickets, dales and secret places which few of our people could find without being shown thither. Yet these men had no guides, at least none of the citizens of this township. The success of these horse dealers was amazing.
On Sabbath, June 21st, was chosen by Ferguson's gang to make a systematic pilaging of the stores. In some of the stores, a great quanity of goods were destroyed. The order given by an Artillery Captain, in front of S. H. P. & Co's store, was ordered to "dismount and ramsack the store." Mr. Riley's store had, a day or two previously, suffered heavily by these men. The losses it is impossible now to state. If it had not been that our merchants had a portion of their stock sent East, there would have been a clean sweep made.
Maj. Paxton took possession of the warehouses, and loaded the Confederate States wagons with flour grain &c.
Evening came, and this delectable job was over for the present.
The following morning, (Monday June 22,) Gen. Jenkin's Cavalry made their appearance, announcing themselves as the advance guard of Gen. Rhodes Division of Ewell's Corps said to be close at hand. Gen. Jenkin's troop having passed through, his advance was attacked by forty three Union Cavalrymen, a detachment of the First New York-Capt. Boyd-and driven back at full speed upon his main force, a mile north of town, when the Rebels who had ambushed in the wheat field to retreat. In this, the first engagement that took place on Pennsylvania soil, the Rebels lost two killed,
Sergeant Rhil, Company C, New York Cavalry, was killed, and Sergeant Cafforty wounded in the leg. The body of the former was buried by the Rebels in a shallow grave, having first been stripped of hat, shoes and coat buttons. A few days afterwards he was disintered, placed in a neat coffin and accompained by a large concourse of citizens, was buried in the Lutheran graveyard of this place Sergt. Rhil was the first man who poured his life's blood, and fell a bleeding sacrifice upon his country's altar, in the State of Pennsylvania. Let his name be numbered down among her honored ones, and be handed down to remote posterity!-Sergeant Cafferty was removed to the residence of Mr. George Ilginfritz, where his wounds were dressed and where he received the kind attentions of the family and citizens.
Gen.Rhode's division encamped on the 22d, in the vicinity of the town. His headquarters were in the field belonging to Rev. J. Loose. Col. Willis of the 19th Georgia Reg., was appointed Provost Marshall, assisted by Captain Carson and the Adjutant. To the guards from this regiment, and to the officers, and men, credit must be given for the good order maintained.
On the 24th of June, General Rhodes' Division left here and marched direct to Chambersburg, with the excep-tion of one division under command of Gen. Stuart, (infantry,) which went there via Mercersburg, M'Connellsburg, and Loudon. Gen. Stuart's Division arrived in Mercersburg about 12 o'clock, M., and at once made itself at home, understanding a Theological Seminary was located there, placed a guard around the property for its protection, forbade soldiers from entering its grounds or the homes of citizens, under penalty of severe punishment. They ordered the stores to be opened, declaring that they wanted the articles, and would have them. To their credit it must be said every thing was done by them in an orderly manner. No pillaging by soldiers was permitted. What they took was taken by appointed officers, who made bills out, and paid in Confederate Script. Maj. Goldsboro', of Baltimore, was Provost Marshall. He has since been killed in the battle of Gettysburg.
General Rhode's Division was followed by that of General Johnson. General Early's Corps, of the same division, however, went by way of Waynesboro and Gettysburg to York.
On the 24th, General Ewell passed through town closed in a carriage, and closely examining a map. He appeared pale and delicate.
On the 26th, General Anderson's Division, of Gen. Hill's was with them. Two divisions of the corps went to Waynesboro.'
On the 27th General Longstreet's Corps went through. His was the largest and most destructive set of men. His whole route was marked by destruction.
To General M'Laws was reserved the honor of cutting down the Union Pole, which had been left standing by preceding forces.-During the night of this day, Fitzhugh Lee's Cavalry passed through.
The Rebel force that passed through town was estimated at about 50,000 or 60,000 men, accompanied by 192 pieces of ordinance. The force that went by way of Waynesboro', it is said, numbered between 20,000 or 40,000 makig a total force of about 90,000 or 100,000.
The following requisitions were made upon the Authorities, during the stay of Ewell's Corps.
Headquarters 2d. Army Corps
June 23d, 1863
To the Authorities of Greencastle:
By direction of Major General R. S. Ewell, I make requisitions for the following articles:
100 saddles and bridles, 12 pistols
These articles are to be furnished at 2 o'clock P. M.
J. A. Harmon.
Maj. and Ch. Q. M., 2d Corps de Armie.
Soon after another requisition was sent in for onions, sourkrout, potatoes, radishes, &c., and signed by A. M. Mitchell, Maj. and Ch. Com.
Then followed one, demanding
2000 pounds of lard, 1000 pounds of leather,
100 pistols, 12 boxes of tin, 300 curry combs and brushes.
(Signed) Wm.
Allen, M and C.
The chief of Topographical Engneers demanded two maps of Franklin county.
These demands were so heavy that the Council felt it impossible to fill them. The Rebels got a few saddles and bridles, and some vegetables, about town.
They seized and carried away about $2000 worth of leather from Mr. Stiffel.
Fitzhugh Lee, wanted to find the authorities, to make requsitions for commissary stores, but hearing the "Yanks' were close upon his heels; he did not take time to hunt up the Council. He declared it was the strangest place he ever saw, nobody seemed to know who the members were.
K.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman's Progressive, June 10 & 17, 1927
