Franklin County: Benjamin S. Schneck to Margaretta
S. Keller and her husband, August 3, 1864
Summary:
Schneck's letter describes the Confederate invasion and burning of Chambersburg
of late-July 1864.
Aug. 3 1864
Chambersburg
My dear Sister + Brother -
We are all safe, though homeless and with only some clothing left. Our stable is
unharmed. We saved by far the smallest part of our clothing -- I have a borrowed
shirt, one straw hat, + so-on. My Library, even my Papers + Manuscripts (except
my Deeds) all -- all gone. The good prospect I had for one hour: of saving our
house, kept us from saving furniture and clothing. Help there was none. I was on
the roof, Rebecca + the girl carrying water up 3 steps, for everybody had enough
to do for themselves for the firing began in different parts of town at one
time. Some houses in each square were fired, and then the others caught. In some
cases, money was offered to be taken (in out-of-the-way parts) by the men + the
properties then saved. Except one house (the Misses Dennys 8 doors above (and
where we are now), every house down on both sides for 7 Squares, is gone. So
with Main Street for nearly 1/2 mile, Queen Street, part of Washington, etc, Our
[unclear: Print]
Establishment, with all
(except the stereotype plates + Account Books) is in
ruins. The Bank, all the stores, all the hotels, every shoe, clothing, and other stores (except in the
outskirts some
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small grocery etc. shops) are all consumed. In most instances, little -- in very many, nothing -- was saved, not even a single change of
clothing. But blessed be God, there are those who were spared, + their hearts +
houses are open to the rest. Help in the way of provisions + clothing is coming
in. None need to starve. But such a scene of Ruin! No imagination can conceive
it. Governor Curtin came up last evening and said to
me: "The reality is fearfully beyond all my conceptions." He requested us to try
+ keep the people in heart, for many have left, + more do not know what to do
here now. We have a little house out of town on one of my lots. The one half
will be vacant soon + I suppose we will go in it -- it has two little rooms
below + two in the attic for small bedrooms -- it is cottage style, 1 1/2
stories high. Further, I cannot say. But for the present, we must + will stay
here.
I am hardly able to write. I thought I would write to you + the girls would be so
good as to write for me to sister Sophia, Mary, Louisa + the rest. To Benjn I have just written. God bless you all, my dear ones.
Rebecca has kept up well. If only we are preserved from future invasions. But
this morning, there was news, that the
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enemy is at Williamsport +
along the Potomac. Our force was repulsed there on Sunday. Petersburg has been
recaptured by them, so far as it was lost. It looks dark for our country.
Some of the rebel officers + men that were here did not expect this vandalism, + they showed a good spirit -- they did + would not fire any building + even helped people to carry out things out of their houses. They denounced the whole procedure as outrageous and wicked.
But I can no more.
The Lord be with you all.
Your Affectionate Brother + Uncle
B. S. Schneck
