صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

On Monday morning a body of the enemy's cavalry, under Col. Jenkins, estimated at two thousand in number, crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, north of Martinsburg, without opposition, and immediately moved northward through Hagerstown to Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and thence to Chambersburg, where they arrived on Tuesday night. There was no Federal force at either of these places to oppose them. The only hostile acts of this force were the seizure of horses, cattle, and forage; goods were purchased at stores and paid for in Confederate scrip. On Tuesday afternoon a small force of Confederate infantry crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, for the purpose of guarding the passage until the return of the cavalry expedition.

The Baltimore and Ohio railroad managers, on seeing the approaching danger, had removed from their road all cars and engines for the space of one hundred miles, between Harper's Ferry and Cumberland.

The rest of the force which advanced up the Shenandoah valley was massed in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, apparently threatening an attack upon that place, although it remained quiet. A band of guerrillas, under Col. Moseby, numbering about one hundred and fifty, on Saturday entered Loudon county, Va., and spread themselves about from Halltown to Waterford in small squads. On Sunday and Monday they were slightly reënforced. On Wednesday this force crossed the Potomac, and captured a small squad of home guards stationed there. They afterward intercepted a train of twenty-two freight cars, most of which were empty, that were returning to Baltimore from Harper's Ferry. The cars were burned, and the locomotives badly injured. The enemy then returned to the Virginia side of the river, but maintained their pickets along the banks. The force at Chambersburg, taking all the negroes with them, returned on Wednesday night to Hagerstown. The bridge at Scotland, five miles east of Chambersburg, was burned by them. From Hagerstown a detachment was sent to McConnellsburg, where it arrived on Friday morning, the 19th. The town was completely surprised, and large numbers of horses and cattle were captured. Many of the horses were returned upon the intercession of the owners. Goods were obtained from the stores in large quantities. The enemy then retired, but on the next day, a small body of them were captured in the neighborhood by a regiment of New York cavalry.

McConnellsburg is the capital of Fulton county, Pennsylvania. It is situated on the turnpike from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, and is seventy miles west of southwest from Harrisburg. The population is about eight hundred. A small force appeared at Hancock, Md., on the 18th, and burned the canal boats there, but were driven off by a cavalry force from the command of Col. Gallagher, attached to the corps of Gen. Kelly. Cumberland, further

west on the Potomac, was occupied by about nine hundred cavalry under Col. Imboden, on the 17th. No damage, however, was done. All the bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, from Harper's Ferry to Cumberland, a distance of one hundred miles, were destroyed. West of Cumberland the road was torn up at Brady's Station, which was east of New Creek, where the Federal forces were stationed. Meantime small bands of cavalry were sent out from Hagerstown and Frederick, to seize horses and cattle, large numbers of which were captured and driven across the Potomac to the Confederate army. These operations produced an unparalleled excitement in Washington and throughout the Northern States. They were regarded as indicating the approach of Gen. Lee with an immense army. It was known that he had commenced a movement, and that the Army of the Potomac was also in motion, but all information of the position of each army was carefully withheld from the knowledge of the public. Under this uncertainty, all measures taken by the Government for defence, which became known, tended to increase the excitement. Vast efforts were made with the utmost promptness and vigor, to prepare to resist successfully the invasion.

Upon the first complete news of the attack upon Winchester, the President issued the following proclamation:

Whereas, the armed insurrectionary combinations now existing in several of the States are threatening to make inroads into the States of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, requiring immediately an additional military force for the service of the

United States:

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, and of the militia of the several States when called into actual service, do hereby

call into the service of the United States one hundred
thousand militia from the States following, namely:
From the State of Maryland ten thousand.
From the State of Pennsylvania fifty thousand.
From the State of Ohio thirty thousand.

From the State of West Virginia ten thousand.
To be mustered into the service of the United States

forthwith, and to serve for the period of six months from the date of such muster into said service, unless sooner discharged; to be mustered in as infantry, artillery, and cavalry, in proportions which will be made known through the War Department, which department will also designate the several places of rendezvous.

These militia are to be organized according to the rules and regulations of the volunteer service, and such orders as may hereafter be issued..

The States aforesaid will be respectively credited under the enrolment act for the militia service rendered under this proclamation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 15th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1863, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-seventh. By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

On the same day, a telegraphic despatch was sent to Governor Seymour of New York, calling for twenty thousand militia immedi

ately. On the same day the Governor replied, and ordered the troops out, as appears by the following sub-orders:

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE N. Y. S. N. G.,
NEW YORK, June 15th, 1863.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief of the State of New York, the several regiments of this brigade will hold themselves in readiness to depart for Philadelphia at once, on short notice. By order of

Brigadier-General C. B. SPICER. R. H. HOADLEY, Brigade Major and Inspector. WILLIAM D. DIMOCK, Aide-de-Camp.

Order No. 3.

HEADQUARTERS, 543 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, June 15th, 1863. Commandants of regiments of the Third Brigade N. Y. N. G., are hereby directed to report to General Wm. Hall, at his quarters, at six o'clock on Tuesday morning, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, Horatio Seymour, to be ready to go to Philadelphia at once, on short service.

The brigade drill for the 17th inst. is hereby countermanded. By order, General WM. HALL.

J. K. SMITH, Quartermaster. The response of the Governor of New York was thus approved by the authorities at Washington:

WASHINGTON, June 15th, 1863. GOVERNOR SEYMOUR: The President directs me to return his thanks, with those of the Department, for your prompt response. A strong movement of your city regiments to Philadelphia would be a very encouraging movement, and do great good in giving strength to that State.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The Governor of Pennsylvania, on the same day, issued the following proclamation:

The State of Pennsylvania is again threatened with invasion, and an army of rebels is approaching our borders. The President of the United States has issued his proclamation, calling upon the State for fifty thousand men. I now appeal to all the citizens of Pennsylvania, who love liberty and are mindful of the history and traditions of their Revolutionary fathers, and who feel that it is a sacred duty to guard and maintain the free institutions of our country, who hate treason and its abettors, and who are willing to defend their homes and firesides, and do invoke them to rise in their might and rush to the rescue in this hour of imminent peril. The issue is one of preservation or destruction. It involves considerations paramount to all matters of mere expediency, and all questions of local interest. All ties-social and political-all ties of a personal and partisan character, sink by comparison into insignificance. It is now to be determined by deeds, and not by words alone, who are for us and who are against us. That it is the purpose of the enemy to invade our borders with all the strength he can command, is now apparent. Our only defence rests upon the determined action of the citizens of our free commonwealth.

I therefore call upon the people of Pennsylvania, capable of bearing arms, to enroll themselves in military organizations, and to encourage all others to give aid and assistance to the efforts which will be put forth for the protection of the State and the salvation of our common country.

ANDREW J. CURTIN, Governor.

At the same time, he sent a message to the Governor of New Jersey, requesting the aid of troops from that State. The Secretary of War also sent a request to the Governor for troops. The Governor of New Jersey immediately issued the following call for men:

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, TRENTON, N. J., June 16, 1863. JERSEYMEN: The State of Pennsylvania is invaded. A hostile army is now occupying and despoiling the towns of our sister State. She appeals to New Jersey, through her Governor, to aid in driving back the invading army. Let us respond to this call upon our patriotic State with unprecedented zeal.

I therefore call upon the citizens of this State to meet and organize into companies, and report to the Adju tant-General of the State as soon as possible, to be organized into regiments as the militia of New Jersey, and press forward to the assistance of Pennsylvania in this emergency. The organization of these troops will be given in general orders as soon as practicable. JOEL PARKER.

S. M. DICKINSON, Private Secretary.

On the 16th, the Governor of Maryland issued the following proclamation:

Whereas, the President of the United States, by his proclamation of the 15th instant, calling into the service of the Government the militia of several of the States now threatened with invasion by the insurgents in arms against the Union, has designated ten thousand men as the quota of Maryland, required for the special purpose of protecting her own soil, it becomes us to respond with the least possible delay earnestly and effectually to the call thus made upon us. The entire want of any eflicient organization of the militia of the State makes it necessary to provide the required force either by volunteers or by draft. The term of their service will be six months, and the State will be credited under the recent enrolment act with the number thus furnished.

Whether we look to the purpose for which this force is required, to the success or efficiency of its operations, or to the probable movements of other States embraced in the same appeal, every consideration connected with the subject demands that the call should be met by an offer of volunteers. When our own ter ritory is threatened by an invader, let it never be said that we lacked the spirit to meet the emergency or looked to others to provide for our defence.

Whilst, therefore, measures will immediately be taken to provide by draft from the recent enrolment whatever of the force now called for is not promptly furnished by volunteers, I would earnestly appeal to the patriotism and pride of every Marylander so to respond to the call now made upon them as to leave no necessity to raise a single company by any compulsory process.

The ten thousand men required of us will be organ ized into eight regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and two batteries of artillery, and though required to be of the maximum standard, they will be mustered into the service of the United States, armed and equipped, whenever they can muster the minimum number required in each.

The volunteer militia organizations now existing in the city of Baltimore and other parts of the State, are earnestly invited to call their members together and make their respective commands a nucleus for the formation of a complete regiment.

Whenever a battalion or company, or a majority of their respective members, shall make such offer of their services, they will report to Major Wharton, No. 65 Fayette street, who will designate a place of regi mental rendezvous, and an effort will be made to obtain from the War Department permission to muster in the several companies, as soon as formed, without waiting for the complete regimental organization.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the great seal of the State, this 16th day of June, 1863. A. W. BRADFORD. WM. B. HILL, Secretary of State. The Governor of West Virginia issued the following order to commanding officers: The commandants of regiments and companies of Virginia militia will immediately call their companies

and regiments together, to be held in readiness to go to the field at an hour's warning, and will provide such means as shall be effectual in giving immediate notice to all. Arms and equipments will be furnished at the several places of rendezvous.

The enemies of our liberty and prosperity are again threatening our peaceful homes.

Citizen soldiers, stand by your firesides and defend them against the common foes of a free government. Make every available spot a rifle pit from which to slay the enemy.

You know the roads and the passes. Show your selves to be worthy of your sires, who gave you the inestimable blessings of freedom and independence.

F. H. PIERPOINT, Governor.

The Governor of Ohio made the following appeal to the citizens of the State:

STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBUS, O., June 15th, 1863.

TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.

Lee's rebel army is advancing in force upon Pennsylvania, Western Virginia, and the eastern portion of our own State. To meet this horde of rebels, the President of the United States has, by proclamation, called out one hundred thousand militia for the period of six months, unless sooner discharged. Of this force, thirty thousand are called from Ohio; and now, gal lant men of Ohio, will you promptly respond to this necessary call, without hesitancy? I have assured the President that you would do so. Remember that our own sacred homes are threatened with pillage and destruction, and our wives and daughters with insult. To the rescue then at once, and thus save all that is dear to men. As we have but few, if any, regularly organized companies of volunteer militia, I can but invite and implore you to duty. The few companies which have been recently organized are requested to repair at once, with their entire force, to the camps hereinafter indicated. All others will go forward in squads and be organized into companies after their arrival in camp, for which purpose efficient officers will be designated. Railroad transportation has been duly provided, and every provision necessary for the comfort of the men after their arrival in camp. A reasonable allowance will be made to each volunteer for his subsistence when en route to the camp. The pay and allowance for clothing will be the same as that of the Volunteer service. Should more respond than the Government requires, the surplus men will be returned to their homes free of all expense to themselves, with the regular pay for the period necessarily absent.

The military committees of the several counties are especially requested to exert themselves in securing a prompt response to this call. The troops will all be organized into regiments and well armed before being ordered into service.

And now, fellow citizens of the State, in the name and behalf of the best Government on earth, let me implore you to lay aside all other duties and obligations, and come forward promptly and cheerfully for the preservation of all that is dear to us. You will thus secure the gratitude of your children's children, and the smiles and blessings of Heaven.

[blocks in formation]

The term of service will not exceed thirty days. Commandants of brigades and regiments will report to the Major-General the numbers ready for transporta tion, and will receive directions as to the route and time of embarkation.

Each man will provide himself with two days' cooked provisions.

By order of Major-Gen. CHAS. W. SANFORD. J. H. WILCOX, Division Inspector.

This division consisted of four brigades. The first brigade, under Gen. C. B. Spicer, was composed of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 71st, and 73d regiments. The second brigade, under Gen. Chas, 12th regiments. The third brigade, under Gen. Yates, was composed of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and Hall, was composed of the 7th, 8th, 37th, and 55th regiments. The fourth brigade, under Gen. Ewen, was composed of the 11th, 224, and 69th regiments.

On that day there went forward the 7th regiment, 650 men. On the 18th, the 8th, 371 men; 11th, 762 men; 23d, 626 men, and 71st, 737 men. On the 19th, the 5th, 828 men; 12th, 684 men; 22d, 568 men; 37th, 693 men; 65th, 555 men, and 74th, 504 men. On the 20th, the 4th, 560 men; 13th, 496 men; 28th, 484 men; 56th, 476 men. On the 22d, the 6th, 656 men; 52d, 351 men; 69th, 600 men. On the 23d, the 67th, 400 men. On the 24th, the 55th, 350 men; 68th, 400 men. On the 26th, the 47th, 400 men. On the 27th, the 21st, 600 men. On July 3d, the 17th, 400 men; 18th, 400 men; 84th, 480 men. The total number sent between the 15th of June and the 3d of July was 13,971 men. During the same time scattered detachments of volunteers in the State to the number of 1,827 men were organized and equipped and ordered to Harrisburg.

On the 19th of June the following despatch was sent to the Adjutant-General of the State: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, June 19th, 1863.

To Adjutant-General Sprague': The President directs me to return his thanks to His Excellency Gov. Seymour, and his staff, for their energetic and prompt action. Whether any further force is likely to be required will be communicated to you to-morrow, by which time it is expected the movements of the enemy will be more fully developed. (Signed) EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

Again, on the 27th, the following despatch was sent to the governor of the State by the Secretary of War:

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, June 27, 1863. DEAR SIR: I cannot forbear expressing to you the

deep obligation I feel for the prompt and cordial support you have given the Government in the present emergency. The energy and patriotism you have exhibited I may be permitted personally and officially to acknowledge, without arrogating any personal claims on my part, to such service, or any service whatever. I shall be happy always to be esteemed your friend, EDWIN M. STANTON.

His Excellency HORATIO SEYMOUR. The Governor of New Jersey, in answer to the request of the Governor of Pennsylvania,

for the further services of the nine months'

men, then returning from the war, immediately tendered the services of the 22d regiment, which had not been disbanded. It left for Harrisburg on the 17th. Other regiments of nine months' volunteers, then returned, tendered their services. By the 20th more than two thousand men had gone forward. Some single companies proceeded to Harrisburg. The entire State sent forward several thousand men. On the 22d the Governor ordered the troops to return home, as the emergency had apparently passed.

In Pennsylvania, the first efforts of the Governor were directed to obtain troops from Washington. These failed entirely. On the 16th he issued the following appeal to the people of Philadelphia:

To the People of Philadelphia:

For nearly a week past it has been publicly known that the rebels in force were about to enter Pennsylvania. On the 12th instant, an urgent call was made on the people to raise Department Army Corps for the defence of the State. Yesterday, under the proclamation of the President, the militia was called out. To-day a new and pressing exhortation has been given to furnish men, but Philadelphia has not responded. Meanwhile the enemy is six miles this side of Chambersburg and advancing rapidly.

Our capital is threatened, and we may be disgraced by its fall, while the men who should be driving these outlaws from our soil are grumbling about the possible term of service for six months. It was never intended to keep them beyond the continuance of the emergency.

You all know this by what happened when the militia was called out last autumn. You then trusted your Government, and were not deceived. Trust to it again now. I will accept men without reference to the six months. If you do not wish to bear the ignominy of shirking from the defence of your State, come forward at once. Close your places of business and apply your hearts to the work. Come in such organizations as you can form. Gen. Couch has appointed Lieut.-Col. Ruff to superintend your organization. Report to him immediately. (Signed) A. G. CURTIN, Governor.

At the same time the Governor gave notice that he would receive men without the requirement of six months' service, and arrangements were made with the railroads to furnish transportation to Harrisburg upon application of the officers of militia companies. On the 16th, Lancaster sent five hundred men to Harrisburg, and Reading a regiment. The militia at Harrisburg were reorganized and armed. On the 17th thousands of men reached Harrisburg from different parts of the State. The following list of some of the organizations shows that the interior of the State was aroused to action:

One hundred and twenty-seventh regiment (Col. Jennings), Harrisburg, 1,000 men.

First Pennsylvania Militia (Col. R. A. Lamberton), Harrisburg, 1,000.

Capt. William H. Connechan, Bradford, 105 men.
Capt. J. M. Gregory, Lehigh, 70 men.
Capt. J. H. Holion, Lehigh, 70 men.
Capt. J. M. Broomall, Delaware, 71 men.
Capt. G. T. Waters, Northampton, 53 men.
Capt. William R. Ash, Chester, 100 men.
Capt. J. G. Eicholtz, Chester, 53 men.
Capt. J. B. Davis, Northumberland, 50 men.
Capt. John McClay, Northumberland, 71 men.

Capt. William Stoel, Chester 50 men.
Capt. W. McVeigh, Chester, 60 men.
Capt. W. M. Hinkson, Chester, 45 men.
Capt. W. C. Dickey, Chester, 48 men.
Capt. E. F. James, Chester, 63 men.
Capt. George B. Thomas, Chester, 57 men.
Capt. Charles Roberts, Chester, 40 men.
Capt. R. D. Townsend, Chester, 16 men.
Capt. A. Ricketts, Luzerne, 56 men.
Capt. R. F. Clark, Columbia, 90 men.
Capt. J. B. Grantiers, Bradford, 71 men.
Capt. J. D. Jenkins, Chester, 82 men.
Capt. James Dickson, Luzerne, 40 men.
Capt. H. Bloss, Northampton, 35 men.
Capt. J. F. Ramsey, Montour, 70 men.
Capt. D. A. Smith, Schuylkill, 105 men.
Capt. T. J. Sleppy, Columbia, 31 men.
Capt. Wm. B. Mann, Philadelphia, 100 men.
Spencer Miller's battery.

By the 20th about twenty-five thousand citi zens of Pennsylvania had taken the field. The imperfection of the militia law of the State was such that no regimental or brigade organizations were in existence. A few days later, as the army of Gen. Lee entered the State, and the serious character of the invasion became apparent, the Governor issued the following address:

Pennsylvanians! In the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the said Commonwealth:

A PROCLAMATION.

The enemy is advancing in force into Pennsylvania. He has a strong column within twenty-three miles of Harrisburg, and other columns are moving by Fulton and Adams counties, and it can no longer be doubted that a formidable invasion of our State is in actual progress.

The calls already made for volunteer militia in the exigency, have not been met as fully as the crisis requires.

I therefore now issue this my proclamation, calling for sixty thousand men, to come promptly forward to defend the State. They will be mustered into the service of the State for a period of ninety days, but will be required to serve only so much of the period of muster as the safety of our people and the honor of our State may require. They will rendezvous at points to be designated in the general order to be issued this day by the Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania, which order will also set forth the details of the arrangements for organization, clothing, subsistence, equipments, and supplies.

I will not insult you by inflammatory appeals. A people who want the heart to defend their soil, their families, and their firesides, are not worthy to be count ed men. Heed not the counsels of evil-disposed persons, if such there be in your midst. Show yourselves what you are-a free, loyal, spirited, brave, vigorous race. Do not undergo the disgrace of leaving your de fence mainly to the citizens of other States. In defending the soil of Pennsylvania we are contributing to the support of our National Government and vindicating our fidelity to the national cause. Pennsylvania has always, heretofore, responded promptly to all the calls made by the Federal Government, and I appeal to you, now, not to be unmindful that the foe that strikes at our State, strikes through our desolation at the life of the republic.

Our people are plundered and driven from their homes solely because of their loyalty and fidelity to our free institutions.

People of Pennsylvania, I owe to you all my faculties, my labors, my life. You owe to your country your prompt and zealous services and efforts. The time has now come when we must all stand or fall together in the defence of our State, and in the support of our Gov

ernment. Let us so discharge our duty that posterity shall not blush for us.

Come heartily and cheerfully to the rescue of our noble commonwealth. Maintain now your honor and freedom.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this the 26th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and of the Commonwealth the eighty-seventh. By the Governor, A. G. CURTIN.

ELI SLIFER, Secretary of the Commonwealth. In Maryland, on the 16th, various uniformed organizations of Baltimore tendered their services to the Governor for six months. Vigorous efforts were made to enlist recruits under the call of the President, with small success. The troops, however, which could be raised were retained for the defence of Baltimore.

From Delaware, two regiments, the 5th and 6th, numbering 1,919 men, raised for State defence, were sent into Maryland, and placed as guards of the railroads.

From West Virginia no troops came forward at this time.

Offers of troops for the emergency were made by the Governors of several States to the President. But their distance from the scene of operations, or the impression that the force at hand was sufficient, prevented the acceptanco of them.

The call of the President for one hundred thousand men served to authorize the reception of troops for the emergency, which could be put into the field at once, but there was not safficient time to create new organizations, or to fill up regiments partly organized.

Meantime the construction of defensive works was immediately commenced at Harrisburg, which was supposed to be the first point of attack. The records of the State and the specie in the banks were removed to places of security. The scenes in that capital, on the 16th, were thus described by a spectator:

The morning broke upon a populace all astir, who had been called out of bed by the "beat of the alarming drum," the blast of the bugle, and the clanging of bells. The streets were lively with men, who were ither returning from a night's work on the fortificatens, or going over to relieve those who were toiling there. As the sun rose higher the excitement gathered Lead. All along the streets were omnibuses, wagons, and wheelbarrows, taking in trunks and valuables, and rushing them down to the depot, to be shipped out of rebel range. The stores, the female seminaries, and almost every private residence, were busy all of the forenoon in swelling the mountain of freight that lay at the depot. Every horse was impressed into service, and every porter groaned beneath his weight of responsibilities.

The scene at noon at the depots was indescribable, if not disgraceful. A sweltering mass of humanity thronged the platform, all furious to escape from the

domed city.

At the bridge and across the river the scene was equally exciting. All through the day a steady stream of people on foot and in wagons, young and old, black sad white, was pouring across it from the Cumberland valley, bearing with them their household gods and all manner of goods and stock. Endless trains, laden with Sour, grain, and merchandise, hourly emerged from the valley, and thundered across the bridge and through

e city. Miles of retreating baggage wagons, filled with calves and sheep tied together, and great old-fashVOL. III.-7 A

ioned furnace wagons, loaded with tons of trunks and boxes, defiled in continuous procession down the pike and across the river, raising a dust that marked the outline of the road as far as the eye could see.

of that city, were thus described on Friday, the The proceedings at Pittsburg, for the defence 19th:

Work on the city defences is still progressing vigorously, and some of the more important works are now ready to receive the guns. The number of men employed on the fortifications yesterday was four thousand six hundred and five. The works are on Herron's Hill, on Harrison's Hill, on Mount Washington, on Squirrel Hill, and on Negley's Hill. There are upward of five thousand men in the trenches to-day, and with such a large working force it cannot take many days to finish the works now in hand. Gen. Bernard, with a competent staff of engineers, was engaged in laying out new works yesterday on the outer side of the Alleghany, so as to render the city secure against an advance from that direction. Works have also been laid out near

Turtle creek and other important points.

The activity in Baltimore to prepare for defence is thus reported:

The work of erecting barricades progressed rapidly on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday morning the entire circle of the city was completed and ready for military occupation at any moment that the scouts should announce the approach of the enemy. The erection of lines of intrenchments and fortifications on all the approaches to the city have also progressed rapidly. On Saturday about one thousand colored men were gathered by the police from different sections of the city, causing much excitement among that portion of our population as they were marched out to the different locations for the defensive works. At night another force was secured to relieve those who had been at work throughout the day, and another relief gang was provided on Sunday morning and evening, so that rapid progress has been made, and the works are now ready for immediate use.

Meanwhile the movements of Gen. Lee upon made in such force as to lay Gen. Hooker under the headwaters of the Rappahannock had been the necessity of hastily breaking up his camp at Falmouth, and taking new positions to meet this demonstration. On Saturday, the 13th, his army began to move from Falmouth, and during Sunday the stores were removed from Aquia Creek to Alexandria by twenty-six steamers, employed for that purpose. The storehouses and railroad buildings were not destroyed at that time, as the gunboats commanded the place. On the 21st, a small party of the enemy burned the quartermaster's buildings and the wharf. The buildings and wharf known as Urba Switch were not burned.

On Sunday morning the force on the Fredericksburg side recrossed, and on that day the last of Gen. Hooker's army left Falmouth. The corps of Gens. Longstreet and Ewell, of the Confederate army, passed through Culpepper just one week previous, and the latter marched into the Shenandoah valley against Winchester, &c.

The march of Gen. Hooker's army was rapid, and at times disorderly. Bridges broke down beneath the teams; droves of horses became frightened, and rushed through the column like a tornado; and the men, choked with dust, straggled into the fields in search of water and

« السابقةمتابعة »