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Civil War Diaries
Stopped
at Harris's Hotel. See few females, mostly men moving furniture
and stores, the
streets are almost impassable. The excitement is greater
than
Chambersburg. All the records of the state have been removed under
the expectation
that Harrisburg will be burned. Our state is doing
nothing to
defend itself against invasion. Gov. Curtain seems to be
paralized and
unable to act. We need decisions badly, and can't expect
them from
Washington.
JUNE 17
Very warm. The
city is filling with volunteers and delegates to the
Democratic
Convention. Rumors from Chambersburg that our ships and
stores have all
been plundered and that the public building may be
burned that
houses army stores. Appeals made to the Gov. for troops to
protect the
state, but unheeded. My son-in-law, J.A. Eyster, came this
afternoon from
Philadelphia. Reports my daughter, Elizabeth and the
children well.
News that the Rebels have left for Hagerstown, after
having done a
minimum of damage to the town.
JUNE 18
Warm. The
Rebels have left Chambersburg taking with them about 250
colored people
again into bondage. Gov. Curtain is presently very
unpopular. Left
Harrisburg for home about two o'clock, in the afternoon,
by way of the
turnpike. Traveling thru very beautiful and fertile
countryside.
Had tea in Carlisle, pressed on for Stoughs town to spend
the night. Here
we encountered many colored people fleeing the Rebels,
as not all have
left the area. These poor people are completely worn
out, carrying
their families on their backs. Saw some twenty from
Chambersburg
that I recognized. Some men from Shippensburg urged us to
turn back, that
danger was not past, but we decided to press on, even
though the
night was black, stormy, and the road dangerous. We were glad
to see the
lamps of Carlisle. Little did we know of the perils that had
been in our
way, Almighty Providence led us thru safely. It will be a
journey my wife
and I will never forget. I suggested she write a book
about our
adventurous journey. Weary and tired, we went to bed.
JUNE 19
Pleasant, heavy
rain thru the night. Much rumor-one knows not what to
believe. All is
still alarm. The stores are still all closed and
business at a
standstill. Unexpectedly met my man, Proctor, who had made
for the
mountains, worked his way to Newville from where he got to
Carlisle. Of
Fanny, our colored girl, he knew nothing.
The papers are
now calling for McClelland's recall. Without him we
cannot succeed.
Troops are
coming in from neighboring states to support our few that we
can bring some
order to our situation. It is ridiculous that 800 Rebel
troops can
paralize the Southern portion of our state without
opposition.
This invasion had been expected for months, and totally
ignored by our
government.
JUNE 20
Cloudy. Left
for Shippensburg where we found things much in panic as
before. Large
stampedes of men and horses from all parts of the country.
Dreadful
accounts that the Rebels are still active about Chambersburg,
and are robbing
and stealing as before. How much of this is true, I
cannot say as
in times as these, exaggeration is rife. Each small
episode is
magnified a thousand times.
Decided to stay
overnite in Shippensburg. Rained very hard. The town is
packed with
people. I luckily found a bed for my wife and I. A New York
regiment
stopped here very disgusted as they had yet to see a
Pennsylvania
Company on the job. One I talked with said, "Dam your
State, we came
here to protect it, where are your Pennsylvania
soldiers!"
If they don't soon appear, we shall go home.
SABBATH, JUNE
21
Cloudy. Rose
early, about four, to get an early start. Road almost
deserted. The
New York Regiment encamped a short distance from
Shippensburg,
along the road. Arrived at home little after six, found my
house still,
silent, and musty. I never felt so lonely, sitting in my
own house
without anything to eat and no one about. Mrs. Fisher invited
us over to have
breakfast, a kindness we shall not forget. Never again,
under any
circumstances, shall I leave my home again. Just about Sabbath
School time,
the town thrown into another state of confusion, that a
column of
Rebels were advancing. This proved to be just a poor man
leading a few
horses in town from his farm. So it goes, what is fact and
fancey, we
continued with our worship, the excitement subsided.
In the evening,
troops came in from New York for our protection. Reports
that the Rebels
are in Greencastle. I feel certain that Lee will bring
his army into
Pennsylvania.
JUNE 22
Clear. Troops
arriving from Harrisburg. Four Dalgreen pieces of
ordinance
arrive and taken out to the end of town to be set up. The
citizens have
formed a few companies for defense, but how effective
could they be?
More troops
have arrived, perhaps a thousand here now. We breathe a
little
easier.
Our hopes are
short lived. The troops have all been recalled to
Shippensburg,
the small battery is run out of town. Excitement is again
intense in
town.
A meeting is
held of prominent men, to face the enemy, if they should
come and
surrender the town on the best terms we can get. Again these is
a general
stampede to leave town with valuables. The road to
Shippensburg is
again packed with fleeing citizens. There is not a Negro
to be seen in
town. At 11 o'clock, the streets are deserted. I did not
go to bed till
about one. All is quiet, but it is a sleepless town.
JUNE 23
Clear. Rose
early. A small local cavalry force rode out, but soon
returned.
Wagons were sent out to secure the tents and baggage the New
York volunteers
left behind in their flight to Shippensburg.
Our squads of
cavalry are leaving, a bad sign. We soon find out as we
make our
observations behind drawn shutters. A large squad was seen
advancing at
the German Reformed Church, coming down the street, filling
the whole
space, moving at a slow pace, their guns in position, ready
for instant
firing in case of attack. About 300 entered the town as
cavalry, the
others took up positions in fields in sight of town. Those
entering
proceded to the public square where they immediately cut down
the telegraph
wires at all points. After this they placed pickets at all
points to
prevent surprise.
Our Committee
met them and given to understand private property would be
respected, but
they were to furnish provisions for 1,500 men. The Rebels
behave very
well. Not a citizen molested or a house visited. We complied
very well with
their demands. This afternoon they opened the warehouse
of J. Allison
Eyster, and made off with $4,000.00 worth of bacon, salt,
beans, coffee,
crackers, etc. They also opened the warehouse of Oaks &
Linn, and took
almost 300 barrels of flour belonging to Jacob Stouffer.
They broke in
the heads of 20 barrels of whiskey, which they poured out.
At Miller's
Drug Store, they poured a barrel of brandy into the gutter.
Captain
Fitzhugh gave orders that if any of his men were caught
molesting a
citizen, they would be severely punished. I must admit they
were a
thoroughly disciplined lot of men.
About 4 o'clock
they moved towards Shippensburg, leaving a guard on the
wagons behind.
At 9 they returned with their artillery to their camp at
the South end
of town. We don't understand their plans. Neither do we
understand why
the State hoards all those soldiers about Harrisburg,
leaving the
Southern portion to the invaders.
JUNE 24
Clear. The
Rebels are active. They have closely kept plans, something is
afoot. I was
notified that a meeting with the principal citizens was
requested to
hear their demands.
5,000 Suits of
clothing, boots, hats
100 Good
saddles
100 Good
bridles
5,000 Bushels
grain
10,000 lbs.
Sole Leather
10,000 lbs.
Horse Shoes
400 lbs. Horse
shoe nails by 6 o'clock.
John A. Hammond
Major and Chief
Quartermaster
600 lbs. Lead
10,000 lbs.
Harness Leather
50 boxes
Tinplate
2,000 lbs.
Picket Rope
All the caps
and powder in the town; also, all the oil--by 3 o'clock.
William Allen
Major &
Chief Ord. Deputy
50,000 lbs.
Bread
100 sacks Salt
30 lb. Molassas
500 barrels
Flour
25 barrels
Vinegar
25
barrels Dried Fruit
25 barrels
Beans
25 barrels
potatoes
25 barrels
Saurkraut
11,000 lbs.
Coffee
10,000 lbs.
Sugar
100,000 lbs.
Hard Bread--by 2 o'clock.
W.L. Hauks
Major
Com
We stated that
they already had nearly all these things, there being
nothing left to
do but strip us all of everything. About 9 o'clock
Ewell's corps
passed through, probably some 10,000 men with an immense
train
of artillary and army wagons. Among them many farm wagons and
teams they
acquired along the way. The men looked well, but lacked
uniforms, being
an array of all shades and colors. No two hats alike,
and their shoes
could hardly be called that. It was hard to distinguish
the officers
from the men, except those of high rank. They sang and
cheered lustily
as they marched along. About two, the pillage of our
stores began.
Not a place escaped, never in the history of our boro was
there such a
scene. The merchants were compelled to pack up the wagons
with their
goods, which is being sent to Richmond. The streets are
crowded with
Rebels who try to interrogate our lessor citizens as to
where things
are hidden or sent to, and also as to the movements of the
Federal troops
that had left. By now, all of our stores have been
ransacked.
My neighbor,
Widow Murphy, who kept a small store, dispensing Queens
Ware and shoes,
nothing of value to the Rebels, did succeed in having
her place
exempt from being robbed. Some of the Rebel officers were very
considerate.
My son's mill
and warehouse has suffered much from confiscation for
which they gave
him $800.00 in Confederate script. I hear my tenant
farmer, Thos.
Miller, was shot at while plowing his corn. I have felt
much concern
for him, but cannot get thru the line.
JUNE 25
Clear and warm.
All quiet until about 9 o'clock when the locusts begin
to swarm again.
On each side of the street, they stop and make further
requisitions.
There isn't much left to take. All businessmen
suffer--Eyster
brothers, Myers and Brand, Huber and Tolbert, Sol. Huber,
Gelwix, James
Shaffer, D.S. Fahnestock Dittmann, Metcalf, I. Hutton,
James Hutton,
Feltman, Croft and Miller, W. Heyser, Miller and Hemsley,
Nixon, these
were the principal losers.
This
afternoon brings much activity among the Rebels. Evidently new
orders have
been directed as they are packing up and securing their
stolen goods as
fast as possible. Officers are riding off in all
directions.
At seven, we
have reports of a skirmish near Carlisle driving back the
Rebels.
Jenkins, Ewell, and Rhodes have returned to Chambersburg with
the intention
of crossing over to Gettysburg The drums beat-calling
their men to
camp and hunting the stragglers. All indications point to
readiness for a
march. Tonight there is not a Rebel to be seen. We are
not sure what
caused the move, we do know large forces were now built up
in Harrisburg,
ready to march South. McClelland is supposed to be there,
but so far
Washington refuses to use him, politics being behind this.
With his skill
and knowledge, the war could have been ended but the
power in
Washington will not admit him. The streets tonight are deserted
and still. Not
a soldier to be seen except the posted sentinels. I
remained up
until one.
JUNE 26
Cloudy and
raining. All is quiet. Few soldiers seen on the streets until
after
breakfast, when the advancing corps of Gen. Johnston appears with
waving flags
and stirring music, as they approach the public square.
Three cheers
went up for the Southern Confederacy. They passed on column
after column,
for hours. Next their batteries, army wagons, and
ambulances,
presenting a fearful sight. I have mixed feelings of
indignation and
humility. The passage of the army created a
consternation
among the people. Many feel all is lost, after seeing this
show
of power in the face of our inadequate defense.
At about three
o'clock, the rear of Johnston's corps is passed, making
about 15,000
men, rank and file, 72 pieces of ordinance, 350 wagons,
about a
regiment is left to guard the town. The large school building
has been taken
by them for a hospital. Requisitions have been made on
all the
innkeepers for mattresses, blankets, quilts, sheets, etc. for
the Rebel sick
and wounded. It is expected the like orders will be given
the citizens.
This evening a part of their army has advanced near the
town on the
Baltimore Pike, and on the Western Pike, occupying the
fairground.
They say they
have entered upon a desperate enterprise,and will make
Pennsylvania
the battleground, instead of Virginia, that they will
conquer or die!
All say the heaviest battle of the war will be fought in
this Valley. We
all tremble as we have no news from the outside, being
completely cut
off.
Portions of the
Cumberland Valley and Franklin Railroads have been torn
up. The bridge
at Scotland, just rebuilt, has again been demolished.
SATURDAY, JUNE
27
The Rebel
troops commence their forward movement and continue without
interruption
until dark. We estimate by actual count nearly 35,000 men,
officers and
all, 165 pieces ordinance. I notice many of the gun
carriages had
the U.S. mark upon them, having been captured from our
army.
About 11
o'clock Gen. Lee passed with his staff. He is fine looking man,
medium size,
stoutly built, has the face of a good liver, grey beard,
and mustache,
poorly dressed for an officer of his grade. He wore a felt
hat, black, and
a heavy overcoat with large cape. His horse appeared to
be rather an
indifferent one, for a man who reputedly is fond of fine
stock. Hill is
a tall red-headed man, not over thirty-five. Longstreet
and Ewell I did
not see, nor Johnston. Many of the officers were fine
looking men,
and rode fine horses. During their passage, I noticed their
ever
watchfulness on every side. The citizens were crowded along the
sidewalks and
doors, observing their passage; the rest, inside, behind
drawn blinds,
watched unobtrusively. There were many remarks and
exclamations,
but all in a subdued tone of voice or whisper. All had one
thought in
mind, "Were these soldiers to be our conquerors, and if so,
what will be
our fate?"
Occasionally a
German would stop me and complain in his native tongue,
as if I could
help this situation, or was responsible for it. (NOTE:
Heyser was of
German parents that kept and lived by the old ways.)
Lee offered to
place a guard for the protection of the town, but the
sheriff could
not be found. Later in the day, Gen. Hill and Longstreet
passed through
with part of their army. They were far less respectable
lot, and
constantly shouting, singing, and hooting at females that
showed
themselves at doors or windows. They were loud in their
denunciation of
the Union, and insulting to citizens on the sidewalks.
Shouting,
"Boys, this is Pennsylvania. We should destroy her as they did
in Virginia,
dam the Union. Harrisburg will be ours, Hurrah for the
Southern
Confederacy, and Jeff Davis."
Every brigade
as it passed sent a file of soldiers around to examine the
stores and
places of business, requiring them to open up. This continued
all day. These
men were called the Louisianna Tigers, a
forbidding-looking
set of men that would take your hat or remove your
boots for their
own use.
Rev. Schneck
was relieved of his gold watch and $50.00. He complained to
get it back,
but to no use. Robberies are now common on the street,
particularly
where they are unguarded. Decharts hat store was cleaned
out today, not
a single item left in stock. They opened up my son,
William's store
today, and started to help themselves. We are powerless
to stop them,
and can do nothing but watch and complain to the
commanding
officers. They refer to the same treatment our soldiers gave
the Confederacy
in Virginia.
I finally found
a Col. Greene that listened to some reason and had the
men removed and
the door shut.
While
the troops were passing today, I was sitting by my door, the
victim of many
insulting remarks. One even attempted to take my hat. He
withdrew when I
offered to resist, as I would have struck him. Were it
not for the
rigid discipline they were under, I shudder to think what
our lot would
have been. There are exceptions, many of the Rebels are
gentlemen, and
act as such. Mostly, those from Florida, Texas, and
Louisianna,
generally speaking, are a band of cutthroats.
JUNE 28
Cloudy. The
troops are moving through town again, a continual procession
until evening.
The drug store of J. Spangler was visited today by Lieut.
Todd, President
Lincoln's wife's brother. He finally had to be ejected
by the provost
marshal as having no business being there. Reports come
in our
neighboring farmers are being robbed, one being shot. Many of
these robberies
are committed by vagabonds or camp followers in search
of booty. The
Rebels try to check them, but can't catch them all. One
farmer was shot
and the body hid in the manure pile. These robbers are
mostly after
money. The poor farmers are defenseless. All of business
places are
pretty well stripped, all that is left now are the private
houses to be
broken into.
Up to this
evening, the whole number of troops passing thru Chambersburg
is about
43,000; 180 pieces artillary, 3,000 wagons and ambulances.
Indications
seem to be they are about to leave Chambersburg. It is now
11 o'clock, my
mind is weary, sad, and gloomy. So much I cannot even
form an
opinion.
JUNE 29
Cloudy. Streets
are clear until about eight. My son, Jacob, meets Robert
Reynolds of
Georgia. I knew his father well. Robert had his own horse
and servant
along. He is a conscript, wish I could have talked with him.
Fearful
outrages in the country about us. I hear the Rebels mail has
been cut off
from Richmond. They are apprehensive of trouble. Stouffer's
mill has been
taken over by the Rebels and is running for their use.
There isn't
much food left in town now. If the Rebels remain much
longer,
I do not know what we shall do. The country side is rapidly
losing all its
livestock. Much had already been driven off and hidden in
the mountains.
About 4
o'clock, about 5,000 men took up their line of march for
Greencastle
with 18 pieces of ordinance. I think they are clearing their
lines to get
their wagon trains back into Virginia. They are now riding
about our
alleys looking for harness and gear. I removed the wheel from
my wagon and
hid it, making it unfit for use.
About the close
of the evening, they are busy tearing up the sills of
the railroad
and burning them to bend the rails over, making them unfit
to use.
JUNE 30
Variable
weather. Sunshine and rain. A large wagon train today takes its
course towards
Gettysburg. Lee's headquarters are still here. He keeps
his troops in
constant movement that it is hard to say what he is
planning for
his principal move.
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