Summary:
Union General Robert C. Schenck writes General Darius Couch in June, 1863,
concerning reports of advancing Confederates. Schenck declares that the people
of Pennsylvania are in a panic, probably due to mistaking Union cavalry
escorting wagon trains to Chambersburg for Confederate troops.
Gen. Couch:
Baltimore,
June 15, 1863
I have not troops at Conewago Bridge, and have not thought of destroying it. What proof is there that the enemy has appeared at Hagerstown? I wonder if a panic was not created by a detachment of the First New York Cavalry I had there at 9. They were escorting and following wagon trains from Martinsburg, which I ordered them to take through Greencastle to Chambersburg, and turn over to the quartermaster at latter place. I have just been assured by telegraph from Frederick that until afternoon to-day not a single Confederate soldier had appeared at either Shepherdstown or Williamsport this side of the enemy. I think your people are in a panic, that thus far is in a good measure causeless. Milroy, from Winchester, has cut his way through to Harper's Ferry.
SCHENCK,
Maj.-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 130, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
