Summary:
The Harrisburg Committee of Safety, an organization formed by prominent
Pennsylvania citizens, issue this July 31, 1864, statement in response to the
Confederate raid into southern Pennsylvania and the burning of Chambersburg.
They ask that Department of the Susquehanna commander Darius Couch be relieved
in favor of a more efficient officer with the ability to inspire the people of
Pennsylvania to defend their state.
The Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR:
HARRISBURG, PA.,
July 31, 1864
SIR:
The undersigned, appointed a Committee of Safety by the citizens of Harrisburg, state that they believe it necessary for the successful defense of this city and vicinity from the threatened advance of the enemy of have a more efficient military organization than can be made under the present commander of this department. Gen. Couch arrived here yesterday morning from Chambersburg. Soon after he left that place it was entered by a comparatively small force of cavalry, and the town plundered and a large portion of it burned, without any defense being made. Gen. Cadwalader reached here this morning, but without authority to command. We unanimously consider that the interests of the service and safety of this place and of the Cumberland Valley require that Gen. Cadwalader or some other efficient officer be placed in command of this department immediately. The people will organize for defense under the command of an officer in whom they have confidence.
SIMON CAMERON,
J. J. PEARSON,
J. D. BOAS,
JOHN
HALDEMAN,
AARON BOMBAUGH,
RUD. F. KELKER,
HENRY
McCORMICK,
JOHN H. BRANT,
J. W. JACKSON,
Harrisburg Committee
of Safety.
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 541, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
