Summary:
Union General Darius Couch writes to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in June,
1863, concerning the impending invasion of the state by Robert E. Lee's Army of
Northern Virginia. Couch discusses rumors, the rescue of a threatened wagon
train in the Chambersburg area, and also mentions that African American troops
have applied to participate in state defense. Couch turned them down due to
apprehensions over the reaction of the general public.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, Washington, D.
C.:
Harrisburg, Pa.,
June 16, 1863
Dear Sir:
I have endeavored to keep you advised of all that was reliable in reference to the enemy. The country is so wild with rumors that I was compelled to use great caution in communicating with you. A deserter, a Northern Irishman, states that Stuart had orders read to his command, which they called 20,000, that he would reach Philadelphia before their return. I have made every exertion to protect the bridges across the Susquehanna, but they are to be fired, if it becomes necessary. Had the people responded to my first call as they should have done, I would now be in a situation to march up the Valley. I think we have succeeded in running off most of the horses. I am of the opinion that the squads of cavalry thrown out around Chambersburg saved Milroy's train, very few wagons being lost. Applications have been made of colored troops for State defense. I judged that it would be bitterly opposed, and have, therefore, merely stated that I had no authority for accepting them.
I am, sir, very respectfully, yours,
D. N. COUCH,
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 163, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
