Summary:
Union General William Averell writes from Chambersburg to General Darius Couch on
July 30, 1864. Averell reports the actions of his men during the Confederate
raid into southern Pennsylvania. He reports that Chambersburg was burned by the
Confederates, suggests making provisions for the citizens of the town, and
requests supplies for his troops.
Maj.-Gen. COUCH,
Harrisburg, Pa.:
CHAMBERSBURG, PA.,
July 30, 1864.
When the enemy crossed the river yesterday one of my brigades on picket duty along the Potomac was broken into several fragments, but during last night I extricated and united it at Greencastle. Your dispatches, reporting the approach of the enemy from Mercersburg, were not received until 3.30 a. m. to-day. Vaughn, Imboden, and Jackson were on my front, and Johnson and McCausland in my rear. At 4.30 a. m. McCausland set fire to the principal portion of Chambersburg. Marching as rapidly as possible, leaving the infantry behind, I placed my command between the enemy and Baltimore, and advanced to attack. The enemy retreated in the direction of Saint Thomas. From prisoners I learn that a raid is being made by Breckinridge toward Wheeling or above, to return by the Kanawha Valley. Please notify the War Department. This information strengthens the opinion which I expressed to you last evening by telegraph. Some provision should be made for the citizens whose houses have been burned. I am pressing the enemy as rapidly as possible, and shall overtake them, I think. My command is out of rations. Please let a train, containing hard bread, coffee, and sugar for six days for 2,000 men follow me. It was the intention of the enemy to burn Carlisle also, in retaliation for the burning of private houses by Gen. Hunter. It is said by prisoners that Longstreet's corps is to threaten Washington, and Early's to hold the Valley while Breckinridge is making his raid. The force at Cumberland should be notified.
WM. W. AVERELL,
Brig.-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 37, Serial No. 71, Pages 515, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
