Summary:
Union Secretary of War Edwin Stanton writes Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin
in July, 1864, concerning an impending Confederate raid across the Potomac.
Stanton instructs Curtin to cooperate with General Darius Couch, commanding at
Chambersburg, in raising a state force for defense. Stanton offers War
Department help in supplying, arming, and moving the force.
His Excellency Governor CURTIN,
Harrisburg:
July 4, 1864
The following instructions have been given Gen. Couch, commanding the Middle Department Department of the Susquehanna, including the State of Pennsylvania:
JULY 4, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. COUCH,
Chambersburg:
The rebel force which has made its appearance at Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry
may extend its raid into Pennsylvania. You are authorized to confer with the
Governor of Pennsylvania, and take such measures, in concert with the State
authorities, as you may deem advisable for raising troops and providing adequate
defense. The Department will offer every facility in its power for transporting,
arming, and subsisting such force as may be raised, and supplying every means of
defense within it power.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Your co-operation with Gen. Couch will doubt raise promptly an adequate force to guard against any threatened danger. We have not been able to obtain from Gen. Sigel any reliable report as to the numbers or description of the rebel force that attacked Harper's Ferry to-day. Gen. Hunter has orders to move against the enemy with his force, but no information has been received from him. This Department will promptly co-operate with the State authorities in any measure that may be needed for defense against the rebels, and for raising, arming, and supplying troops. You will please communicate your wishes and any information you may acquire as to the movements of the enemy.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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 57-58, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
