Summary:
Union General Darius Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna at
Chambersburg, writes Pennsylvania governor Andrew Curtin in March, 1864, to
discuss rumors of a Confederate raid into the state.
His Excellency Governor A. G. CURTIN,
Harrisburg,
Pa.:
Chambersburg, Pa.,
March 11, 1864.
DEAR GOVERNOR:
Maj. Burt has informed me of what you told him to-day in reference to the rebels organization an expedition for this valley, &c.
I have heard of various rumors to the same effect for perhaps two weeks past, and in consequence have given the matter serious consideration. I cannot, however, but believe that the rebel authorities are the authors of these stories, for the purpose of preventing our people from moving forward, and making us put ourselves on the defensive. My reasons are these: With a small party-a few thousand-they would be liable to be cut off, for, Sigel's troops being in their rear, and [sic] leisurely, they could not carry off enough spoils to make it an object, and I do not think that they will come with their whole army, as last summer. Still, I shall be on the lookout, and if they do come will try and do the best.
Hoping that all will be well with us, I am, very respectfully,
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 33, Serial No. 60, Pages 667, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
