Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[4] horses, and have had considerable culture. I should not like to risk a similar experiment with their infantry. I was among them all the time here, and was expecting every minute to be called upon to report to Gen. Stuart; but they did not seem to have time to look after prisoners, and I luckily escaped. But from the fact that I can't find a horse about the barn, and that my fence is stripped of paling to remind me of the reality of the matter, it would seem like a dream. It was so unexpected — so soon over — that our people had hardly time to appreciate it.

They crossed the South-Mountain about eleven to-day, on the Gettysburgh pike, but where they will go from there is hard to conjecture. They are evidently aiming to recross the Potomac at or near Edwards's Ferry; and, if so, Gettysburgh may escape, as they may go by Millerstown to Emmettsburgh. If they should recross below Harper's Ferry, they will owe their escape to the stupidity or want of energy of our military leaders, for they were advised in due season of the rebel route.

Hoping that I shall never again be called upon to entertain a circle of rebels around my fireside, believe me, truly thine,

There are doubtless many vague rumors afloat respecting the recent raid of Stuart's cavalry into Pennsylvania. To the citizens of Chambersburgh, it became a stern reality before they had time to become much frightened or panic-stricken. It was rumored on the streets at five o'clock P. M., on Friday last that the rebels were in St. Thomas, a village seven miles west on the Pittsburgh turnpike. The rumor seemed to attract but little attention. All believed that such could not be the case, since the Potomac River in that direction was occupied by Union troops. The tale soon changed, however, and our citizens found that instead of enjoying wonted peace and security, gentlemen of known respectability came dashing into town at full speed, bringing the unwelcome news. The court-house bell was rung, the drums were beat, and the home guards called. The citizens seemed reluctant about shouldering their guns. They consulted about the propriety of resistance, and conjectured as to the probable force of the enemy. Some seemed to think they would not attack Chambersburgh before morning, and that during the night forces could be procured from abroad. It was concluded, however, to throw out pickets, and while the home guards were marched out to be distributed for this purpose, a flag of truce by the enemy was brought into town, demanding its surrender. The officer accompanying the flag of truce reported their forces at one thousand five hundred cavalry, with a full battery of artillery. They reported their guns planted and ready for action, in case there should not be an immediate surrender. This, to the citizens of Chambersburgh, was quite as surprising as a most terrible earthquake would have been. What to do was the question. Shall we surrender, or shall we not? Many said, surrender, and others, no, not on any terms. The matter was considered. What could we do? There were not more than five hundred muskets distributed among the citizens. Some had a small quantity of ammunition, and others had none. There was no way of arriving at a fair estimate of the enemy's forces. Numerous inquiries crowded upon the mind, each of some importance, and all demanding a decision. A committee of three was sent with the bearer of the flag of truce to confer with the officer in command. It was agreed that the town surrender, but that the enemy protect the families of our citizens, private property, and respect the men. The citizens went to their homes feeling much humiliated at what the stern hand of necessity required them to do. To surrender to the rebels without striking a single blow in self-defence was indeed hard; but when the cannon's gaping mouth pictured bloodshed, devastation, and ruin before us, prudence dictated what course to pursue.

But a few moments elapsed until the clattering of hoofs announced that Stuart's cavalry were taking possession of our town. In they came, without any noisy demonstration whatever. Occasionally some one would whisper a little loud: “Hurrah for Southern rights.” Another would ask: “Have you ever heard of Stuart's cavalry? This is it.” Another would ride up and ask for a drink of whisky, and offer “the silver for it.”

They halted in the principal streets, and stood for some time, but the object of this waiting soon became apparent. Here came one out of an alley with a valuable horse of a neighbor's; here came another with a few more horses, and thus it continued until the stables of our citizens had been broken open and their horses stolen. They then went out of town and quartered for the night. No houses were broken open, and none of the families of our citizens disturbed. We were treated much better than we had expected we would be. But one of our business men had his store broken open — a shoe-store. They took from it ladies' and children's shoes to the value of three or four hundred dollars. On Saturday morning, they commenced plundering the ware-houses, etc. They destroyed considerable property of some of our forwarding and commission men. They discovered arms, ammunition, and army clothing in some of these buildings. They took the clothing, threw their old sabres away and took new ones, exchanged pistols, and took as much ammunition as they could conveniently carry. They then set fire to the depot, several warehouses, a large machine-shop, and burned them to the ground. The consternation this created was no little. The citizens all knew of the large quantities of ammunition these houses contained, and much of it was shell. The frequent explosion of these deadly missiles kept the citizens in their houses, and thus prevented them from doing any thing that might check the progress of the fire. It had rained the day and night before, and the buildings were wet, consequently no other buildings were destroyed, except