Franklin County: Emma V. Stouffer to Amos Stouffer, August 1,
1864
Summary:
In this letter to her brother, Emma V. Stouffer describes the burning of Chambersburg and the
extent of the fire's destruction.
Ford
Due 3
Amos Stouffer
[deleted: Petesbough]
Chambersburg Pa
Box
951
Monday, August 1st 1864
Home,
My Dear Brother,
I have no doubt you are very anxious to hear from home, thanks to a kind Providence that we
still retain our home. I suppose you hear all sorts of news. But hardly much worse than it
really is. On Saturday morning at four O'clock we heard artillery firing which proved to be the
rebs on the fair grounds, and a few of our soldiers between them and town. We had two pieces I
do not know how many the rebels had, Our men then started with the horses, & sheep Abe
Witmen along. Ben went
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with a soldier and Noah Sollenberger to town to see if the
rebels were there, when one fired after them and a ball came within two inches of the soldiers
head. The rebels were commanded by that old scoundrel Mc clausland. they
first (for an excuse) demanded 500,000 in Greenbacks, or 100,000 in gold which of course could
not be given them. They then fired the Companies ware house, Court-house-Hall, Academy
[unclear: V.] and then carried fire in the private houses. There is nothing but ruins
from the Depot up till Dr Sueserott's house
Eysters mill the paper mill and everything is gone. There is nothing left but the superbs of
the place. Col. M'clures house and barn and J. Ebys barn are
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burned. Mrs. Mclure was sick and they gave her ten minutes time
to leave, Mrs. Mclellan saved her house by very
hard pleading. Oh Amos, town looks wonderful, Alice Snively has every
thing here she owns which is a few of her best dresses. Andrew Snively's property
consists of one coat, besides what he has on. The Dr is in Philad seeing about his position. he is ready
to take his place on the field as Surgeon. he has not come home yet, do not know what effect it
will have on him. I heard of but two families who saved any thing
but a few clothes, The Citizens Killed a Rebel Major who was drunk & had straggled back
and was burning buildings. David & John Miller came up this morning to see whether we
were burned
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out. There were two rebels came out to Porters on Saturday Morning and
while they were busy talking a squad of our men came dashing out the lane there and captured
them, they say now and it is the opinion of almost every one that
they came out for the purpose of burning the mill, as the rebels said in town that Stouffers
Mill must come down yet. In a short time Gen Averils men came,
when the rebels, aware of the fact, moved off. Some attach great blame to Gens Couch and Averel. the former some
persons say should have rallied the 1500 men who went through here on Friday eve, and the
latter was so drunk in GreenCastle that he could not write an answer to a dispatch sent him by
Couch
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It is hard to tell where the blame rests it surely is a shame that so few
should come in & do so much damage. No one knows the correct amount of rebs here, Some
say not more than 3-others 800 & some 1500. Mother & Aunt Leah are still up at
Grandmothers We have not heard any thing from there since last
Thursday, it may likely be that Grandmother is no more. There are a great many persons come to
town, some from Lancaster, Carlisle Gettysburg &c. to see the
place. I suppose you will be home soon, About that Photograph you need not send any I suppose
to Leah, as she, I suppose appropriated Abe's to herself. I was in town twice on
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Saturday, Once while the fire was raging and again when it was pretty well over, from the mill
we could see the Cupola of the Academy, Benjm Franklin &c. fall over it looked very hard.
Since I am writing it began to rain but I think it is already pretty well over, I have a great
deal to tell you and hope to see you soon when I can have the pleasure of again speaking to
you. I have not time now to write more. Uncle Daniel got a horse some-where and has gone up to
Loudon. The friends & neighbors are well so far as I know. It is now reported that
Averell is fighting the rebels at McConnellsburg but I do not think it is
correct. Write soon we are very anxious to hear from you
from your loving sister
Emma
