Author . 
 
 Title 
 
 Imprint. 
 
THE 
 
 BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG, 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 REV. B?^.^SCHNECK, D. D., 
 
 AN EYE-WITNESS AND A SUFPEKEK. 
 WITH 
 
 CORROBOUTIVE STATEMENTS 
 
 REV. JOSEPH CLARK, HON. A. K. MoCLURE, J. HOKE, ESQ. 
 AND REV. S. J. NICCOL LS. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 
 
 1864. 
 
 c 
 

 CAXTON PRESS 
 
 F SHERMAN & CO. 
 
THE BUENING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 LETTER I. , 
 
 My dear Friend : 
 
 Your request to give you a succinct and, as far as may 
 Tbe,- detailed account of tlie terrible calamity with which 
 our town was visited on the 30th day of July, is received. 
 You are pleased to say, that not only my long residence 
 in the place, but the fact that I had, as on former occa- 
 sions, so also during the present one, remained at home, 
 gives me a right to speak on the subject, without the fear 
 of cavil or sneer from those who are ready, either from 
 ignorance or something worse, to misrepresent the facts in 
 the case, or applythe ill-timed weapons of ridicule and 
 sarcasm against some statements which have appeared in 
 print.* Passing by your other remarks, which I may be 
 permitted to set down as emanating from personal parti- 
 ality, I shall proceed to give you, as perfectly as I can, 
 and as briefly as the subject will allow, a somewhat de- 
 
 * Reference is here made chiefly to the New York Herald and the Tribune, 
 both' of which sheets have manifested a spirit towards our deeply aflicted 
 sufferers akin to that of their very enemies themselves. The Tribune, instead 
 of allowing itself to be corrected by the Hon. A. K. McClure, in the Philadel- 
 phia Press, turns aside from the subject wi'th miserable attempts at joking, as 
 trivial as they are heartless. And these are oxir friends. This is humanita- 
 rian philanthropy. 
 
 2 
 
6 THE BURNING OF CHAMBEESBURG. 
 
 tailed account of the terrible disaster, divesting myself as 
 far as possible from any personal feeling in the matter, 
 and, avoiding all special pleading and overdrawn state- 
 ments, deal only in simple matters of fact, as far as I 
 have been able to gather them, either from personal know- 
 ledge or unquestionable authority. 
 
 The Ttlilitary Situation on the Border. 
 
 Before proceeding directly to the narration of the terri- 
 ble catastrophe, it may be well to glance at the military 
 situation on our border. This seems the more necessary 
 from the fact, that a very large portion of the public 
 prints have been misled into the belief, and consequently 
 have unwittingly led their readers to believe that, "if the 
 citizens of Chambersburg had turned out to resist the 
 enemy, the burning and pillage of the town could have 
 been averted," inasmuch as the rebel force, according to 
 some statements, was very trifling, " scarcely numbering 
 two hundred men." You, my dear friend, are laboring 
 under this erroneous belief yourself. Allow me, therefore, 
 to turn your attention to the following facts, which are 
 well established and which can be corroborated by any 
 amount of evidence. 
 
 General Couch, the commander of this military division, 
 had under his control a company of cavalry (about one hun- 
 dred men) at Mercersburg, sixteen miles southwest from 
 here, and a section of a battery of artillery in this place. 
 This was the entire military force in the Cumberland Valley 
 under the control of our military commander. Several 
 Pennsylvania regiments which had previously been organ- 
 ized for the defence of the border through the efforts of 
 our vigilant Governor, had been summoned by the General 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG. 7 
 
 Government to Washington and the Potomac Army. One 
 hundred men and two small cannon ; that was all. But 
 you ask : "Was not General Averill near enough to have 
 prevented the rebels from executing their nefarious design 
 upon your town ? and if so, why did not General Couch 
 inform him of the situation of affairs and urge him for- 
 Avard?" The answer is at hand. General Couch did 
 attempt to inform General Averill in time of the fact that 
 the enemy, with a force about three thousand strong, had 
 crossed the Potomac west of Williamsport, and was moving 
 by way of Mercersburg and St. Thomas directly on Cham- 
 bersburg. Averill was encamped one mile from Green- 
 castle (ten from Chambersburg) on Friday night, July 29. 
 The first two messengers with despatches from General 
 Couch could not find him. The third messenger succeeded 
 accidentally in finding him after midnight in a field. Ave- 
 rill only now discovered that he had been flanked on the 
 left by the enemy, and expressed himself greatly surprised 
 and chagrined to the messenger at this state of things. 
 Whether he was to blame or not, is not for me to say. It 
 is sufficient for my purpose just now to know that, beyond 
 two small cannon and one hundred men, we were ivithout 
 any military protection. And could the few hundred citi- 
 zens of the place, most of them without firearms, be ex- 
 pected to make a resistance against such a force, and with 
 four cannon planted on the hills overlooking the town? 
 To ask the question is to answer it. 
 
 In reading over the two preceding paragraphs it oc- 
 curred to me that the impression might have been made 
 on your mind, that I wished to find fault with the Gene- 
 ral Government for removing from us all military protec- 
 tion on our border. I have no wish to do so in this letter. 
 
8 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 I am no militarj man, and hence am not so positive in my 
 opinions as many other men, "who are doubtless far more 
 capable of forming a judgment in such matters. I merely 
 mention the simple facts as they are patent to all here 
 who had the best opportunities of knowing the true state 
 of things. So, too, in regard to both the Generals named. 
 There is, since the burning of our town, a yery strong 
 feeling of disapprobation in our community and elsewhere 
 against both, especially against General Couch. I cannot 
 as yet share this feeling. I know how apt we are, especi- 
 ally when smarting under severe personal losses or griev- 
 ances, to look around for some object upon which, or some- 
 person on whom to lay the blame. For my part, I 
 would rather err on the side of charity than on the side of 
 unjust fault-finding and denunciation. I prefer, until 
 better advised, to indorse the views of my friend Colonel 
 A. K. McClure, himself one of the sufferers, and well 
 posted in such matters. He says : 
 
 " General Averill possibly might have saved Chambers- 
 burg, and I know that General Couch exhausted himself 
 to get Averill to fall back from Greencastle to this point. 
 I do not say that General Averill is to blame, for he was 
 under orders from General Hunter, and not subject to 
 General Couch. He had a large force of the enemy in 
 his front, and until it is clearly proved to the contrary, I 
 must believe that he did his whole duty." 
 
 These two sentences are guardedly worded. " General 
 Avei'ill possibly might have saved Chambersburg." The 
 enemy, under McCausland, Bradley Johnson, and Gilmore, 
 let it be recollected, had at least three thousand cavalry, 
 with artillery at command, eight hundred of whom were 
 in town, the rest within supporting distance. Johnson's 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSUURG. 5J 
 
 command occupied the high eminence one mile west of 
 the town with a battery. No better position could have 
 been desired. Thej were flushed at the prospect of plun- 
 der and pillage ; their horses were fresh and sleek ; their 
 men resolute and defiant. On the other hand, Averill and 
 his men had been worn out and jaded by long and heavy 
 marches in Western Virginia for a number of consecutive 
 weeks. Their horses were run down and many of chem 
 ready to die, so that two hundred and fifty of these last 
 could not be taken any farther, but were left here to re- 
 cruit. It is therefore only 2^os§ihle, scarcely probable, 
 that, even if Averill's force of less than two thousand five 
 hundred men had been here, a successful resistance could 
 even then have been made under these circumstances. 
 But Averill and his men were not here until several hours 
 after the work of destruction was accomplished, and the 
 enemy, gloating over his vengeful deeds, was miles away 
 on the Western turnpike, towards McConnellsburg, in Ful- 
 ton County. 
 
 Judge then, dear sir, how keenly we must feel the re- 
 proaches heaped upon us by professed friends, after our 
 houses are in ruins, our goods despoiled, and our hearts 
 saddened at every step we take in beholding continuous 
 squares of desolation in our once beautiful town. And 
 reproaches /or what ? Because a picket guard of one hun- 
 dred soldiers and a small number of citizens, did not suc- 
 cessfully resist more than three thousand* veteran cavalry- 
 men, with cannon eligibly planted to lay waste the town 
 
 =* Since the foregoing was written it has been ascertained to a certainty 
 that there were three thousand men exclusive of the eight hundred and thirty- 
 one who were in the town ; a larger force than that which routed Milroy's 
 whole military force a year ago, cannon and all, at Winchester. 
 
]0 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSEURG. 
 
 without even coining into it. That commanding position 
 once gained by the enemy, and the town Avas at his mei'cy, 
 no iBatter Avhat force of cavah-y or infantry might have 
 been in Chambersburg. 
 
 ~^E.eproaches — and from tvliom and whence ? From cer- 
 tain newspaper editors of New York ; that same New York 
 which, with its popuhition of half a million, could not quell 
 its rabble mob last year, without having a part of the Po- 
 tomac Army brought thither to guard some of the very 
 ncAvspaper offices from which those reproaches upon a 
 helpless town in a neighboring State are so unjustly 
 heaped ; that same New York and those identical news- 
 papers which, because a large portion of their soldiery 
 Avho Avere around and in this place a year ago, Avere not 
 treated with f^tes. and ovations as our "protectors," have 
 ever and anon sent forth paragraphs of bitter invective 
 against Pennsylvania in general, and Chambersburg in 
 particular, for the " ill treatment of the New York militia" 
 at the hands of our citizens.* New York is a great State 
 and counts its noble and good men by hundreds of thou- 
 sands ; but like every large State with large tOAvns and 
 cities, she also counts her thousands of depraved and 
 wretched creatures in human shape. And I speak from 
 personal knoAvledge, for they were quartered for weeks 
 near my late residence, when I say that of all the thou- 
 sands who Avere in this community, from every portion of 
 the country, since the commencement of this Avar, none 
 
 * Among the many thousands who have been quartered and encamped here, 
 I have never heard of a single soldier (the New York militia of course ex- 
 cepted) who did not speak in the most grateful terms of the universally kind 
 treatment towards them from our citizens. For proof, I appeal to these 
 thousands among the living, wherever they may now be found. 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 11 
 
 have left behind them such a bad moral odor as the ma- 
 jority of these very men. Drunkenness, wanton destruc- 
 tion of property, thieving, fighting and stabbing each other 
 (in some cases to death outright), -were almost daily occur- 
 rences. And yet such men are not only allowed to vilify 
 and abuse the very people whom their misconduct has 
 outraged, but certain New York sheets take up their cause 
 and pour forth wormwood and gall upon the town, the 
 community, and the State. Let a virtuous public pro- 
 nounce its verdict. 
 
 I would not have troubled you with this dark chapter 
 if it were not necessary in order to understand the animus 
 of the splenetic course of the newspapers referred to. 
 These editors, under the pretext of "defending the citi- 
 zens of New York," have most iinaccountably, unjustly, 
 and without the shadow of provocation, except it be the 
 desolation and ruin of hundreds of homes and hearths, 
 assailed and sneered at a deeply afflicted community, Avhicli 
 has poured out of its former means to the soldiers of our 
 armies at home and abroad without stint and wnth cheerful 
 alacrity, and by night and by day Avatched and ministered 
 at the sick and dying beds of our soldiers Avithout distinc- 
 tion of nation or State, and among them not a few of this 
 very Noav York militia. I speak that which I do know. 
 "Defending the citizens of New York !" Heaven forefend I 
 The true citizens of New York do not Avant such men 
 to be defended, just as the citizens of Philadelphia do not 
 want the character of their pickpockets or the denizens of 
 the State prison to be defended. Not a foAV of the men 
 from New York to w^hom reference has been made, boasted, 
 Avhilst here, that they had had some "fine times" in the 
 Tombs. Fitting place for such " citizens." Whether it 
 
12 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 is less fitting to defend them at the expense of the good 
 name of others, you yourself may judge. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 L E T T E R 1 1. 
 
 My dear Friend : 
 
 You are aware that the late incursion of the enemy was 
 not the first visit we had from our Southern " friends." 
 In the fall of 1862, we had Stuart's cavalry raid, and 
 in 1863, the invasion by Lee's army. Since the first of 
 July of the present year, up to the time of McCausland's 
 advent, the entire community, especially the farmers, 
 were kept in constant uneasiness. Twice before had 
 they been robbed of horses, wagons, and grain. The har- 
 vest had just commenced, and now the enemy was again 
 on the border. During the first three weeks of July, 
 they felt it necessary to remove their most essential per- 
 sonal property. Merchants packed up and sent away at 
 least a portion of their, goods eastward. But in each case 
 the rebels did not come, and some degree of apathy in 
 the community was the result. But this did not last long. 
 On the morning of July 29th, unmistakable evidence of 
 the crossing of squads of rebel cavalry over the Potomac, 
 reached us. The citizens of Chambersburg, with very 
 few exceptions, remained. Indeed, early in the evening 
 we were assured that a considerable force of our troops 
 were on their way from Harrisburg, which, however, like 
 many previous assurances, telegrams, and rumors, were 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMEERSBURG. li> 
 
 not realized. Our scouts soon reported the near approach 
 of the rebels, and by three o'clock on the morning of 
 Saturday, the 30th, the citizens who had gone out with 
 their arms and a section of the battery, having satisfied 
 themselves of the overpowering strength of the enemy, fell 
 back to town. Three shells were now thrown over the 
 town by the rebels from the hills beyond, and as these 
 did not elicit a reply, eight hundred and thirty-one of 
 their number came to town, their skirmishers simul- 
 taneously investing every street and alley, gradually 
 moving forward, and then halting until the signal or foi'~ 
 ward command was again given. Our town was once 
 more in subjection to rebel rule. The centre of the town 
 was filled with them. They called together several of the 
 citizens who were on the street, requesting them to collect 
 some of the prominent inhabitants with a view of entering 
 into negotiations. To this end the Court-house bell was 
 rung. The summons to the citizens was very partially 
 obeyed. It was felt that nothing could be done by nego- 
 tiation, and that they must submit to pillage, — the most 
 they anticipated. The few who did come together, were 
 approached by Captain Fitzhugh, one of McCausland's 
 staff, who produced and read a written order, signed by 
 General Jubal Early, directing the command to proceed to 
 Chambersburg, to demand a tribute of $100,000 in gold, 
 or $500,000 in Northern currency, and, on the failure to 
 secure this sum, to proceed to burn the town in retaliation 
 of the burning of six or eight houses specified as having 
 been burned in certain counties in Virginia, by General 
 Hunter. The citizens stated that it was utterly impossi- 
 ble to pay the sum named either in gold or currency, and 
 that the demand could not be made in good faith. They 
 
14 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERvSBURG. 
 
 further remonstrated, to some extent, against the mon- 
 strositj of burning a whole town of six thousand inhabi- 
 tants, in retaliation for the six or eight houses named. 
 So utterly incredulous were they, as to the threat being 
 actually carried out, that they expressed their incredulity 
 without reserve. Captain Fitzhugh replied with a clinch- 
 ing oath, that these orders would be carried out very 
 quickly. He immediately issued his orders to his men, a 
 barrel of kerosene and matches were secured, and in less 
 than twenty minutes the town was fired in a dozen places, 
 and they continued the incendiary work for about one hour. 
 I may here say, that most of the store-goods had been re- 
 moved, and a few prominent citizens had left, but that no 
 families, women, or children had departed. The burning 
 was executed in the most ruthless and unrelenting man- 
 ner.* 
 
 " A squad of men would approach a house, break open 
 the door, proceed to the most convenient part of the house, 
 and kindle a fire, with no other notice to the inmates, except 
 to get out of it as soon as they could. In many cases, five, 
 ten, fifteen minutes, were asked to secure some clothing, 
 which were refused. Many families escaped with only the 
 clothing they had on, and such as they could gather up in 
 their haste. In many cases they were not alleived to take 
 these, but were threatened with instant death if they did 
 not cast them away and flee. Sick and aged people had 
 to be carried to the fields. The corpses of one or two 
 persons who had recently died, were hastily interred in the 
 gardens, and children, separated from their parents, ran 
 
 * This and several following paragraphs are quoted, with & few slight modi- 
 fications, from a brief and well-written article by the Rev. Josejih Clark, in 
 the Philadelphia "Presbyterian" of August 6. 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG, 15 
 
 wildly screaming through the streets. Those whose stupor, 
 or eagerness to save something, detained them, emerged 
 with difficulty from the streets filled with the sheeted 
 flames of their burning homes. I should say here, that 
 no provocation had been given ; not a shot was fired on 
 them in entering the town, and not until the full crisis was 
 reached, did desperation, in a few instances, lead to des- 
 perate acts, and a few of the incendiaries left their bones 
 to smoulder in the ruins. 
 
 "As to the result, I may say that the entire heart or body 
 of the town is burned. Not a house or building of any 
 kind is left on a space of about an average of two squares 
 of streets, extending each way from the centre, with some 
 four or five exceptions, where the buildings were isolated. 
 Only the outskirts are left. The Court-house, Bank, ToAvn 
 Hall, German Reformed Printing Establishment, every 
 store and hotel in the town, and every mill and factory 
 in the space indicated, and two churches, were consumed. 
 Between three and four hundred dwellings were burned, 
 leaving at least twenty-five hundred persons without a home 
 or a hearth. In value, three-fourths of the town was des- 
 troyed. The scene of desolation must be seen to be appre- 
 ciated. Crumbling walls, stacks of chimneys, and smoking 
 embers, are all that remain of once elegant and happy homes. 
 
 " As to the scene itself, it beggars description. My own 
 residence being in the outskirts, and feeling it the call of 
 duty to be with my family, I could only look on from 
 without. The day was sultry and calm, not a breath stir- 
 ring, and each column of smoke rose black, straight, and 
 single ; first one, and then another, and another, and 
 another, until the columns blended and commingled ; and 
 then one vast and lurid column of smoke and flame rose 
 
16 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 perpendicular to the sky, and spread out into a vast crown, 
 like a cloud of sackcloth hanging over the doomed city ; 
 whilst the roar and the surging, the crackling and crash 
 of falling timbers and walls, 'broke upon the still air with 
 a fearful dissonance, and the screams and sounds of agony 
 of burning animals, hogs, and cows, and horses, made the 
 welkin horrid with sounds of woe. It was a scene to be 
 witnessed and heard once in a lifetime." 
 
 To you and other friends, more or less familiar with 
 Chambersburg, it will be interesting to specify a little 
 more particularly the localities which have been laid waste. 
 Beginning on East Market Street, the one leading from 
 Gettysburg to Pittsburg, directly through the centre of 
 the town from east to west, the burning commenced sim- 
 ultaneously w^ith the Court-house and Mansion-house 
 (Printing Establishment of the German Reformed Church). 
 Facing the west from the Eranklin Railroad, the first 
 building to the right is the residence of the M'sses Denny, 
 in a somewhat isolated position. This stands in its fresh- 
 ness and beauty, solitary and alone. Passing down two 
 squares to the centre of the town, not one building and 
 only two or three stables or barns remain on either side 
 of this street of private residences, my own with all of my 
 library and manuscripts even, among the number. Pass- 
 ing further on westward for more than three squares in 
 length, to the top of " New England Hill," five or six 
 more or less isolated houses remain. The large Franklin 
 Hotel, the Arcade Buildings, John B. Cook's houses and 
 tannery, Riley's Hotel, the late Matthew Gillan's large 
 dwelling, J. M. Wolfkill's store and dwelling, G. W, 
 Brewer's and Mrs. Joseph Chambers's beautiful residences, 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBUllG. 17 
 
 are among the many other valuable properties on this 
 street, in ruins. 
 
 Then from North Main Street (the street from Carlisle 
 to Greencastle), beginning with Mr. Benjamin Chambers's 
 new residence, at the Falling Spring, and Mr. W. G, Reed's, 
 on the corner, and from here on every house on both sides 
 up the square, on to the centre, across it to Queen Street, 
 and up to Washington Street, with the exception of Rev. 
 Dr. Fisher's, Mr. Reineman's, Lehner's, and Feltman's 
 dAvellings, every house, shop, stable, &c., is gone. This 
 street, as you know, contained more than three-fourths of 
 all our stores, Avarerooms, and shops of business. Then 
 comes Queen Street, at the intersection of Second Street, 
 beginning at Brandt's (now BroAvn's) hotel, which was 
 only partially destroj^ed, sweeping every building (except 
 Mrs. Brandt's dAA^elling), on both sides down to the creek, 
 over tAvo squares, including Dr. Culbertson's, JNi. Snider's, 
 Barnard Wolff's, Mr. Wallace's, and other A^aluable dwell- 
 ings and stores. Between eleven and twelve squares of 
 the best part of the tOAvn are therefore • in ruins, among 
 them many, very many inhabitants, whom you kncAV in 
 former years as among your dearest friends, and in. com- 
 fortable or affluent circumstances, many of them noAV 
 reduced to penury and Avant. 
 
 After I had Avritten the preceding pages, I found a 
 minute and Avell-Avritten statement of the subject noAV in 
 hand in the "Franklin Repository," of this place, of 
 August 24. I take pleasure in giving the following 
 extended, although somcAvhat condensed, extracts from 
 the same, instead of my own, as the matter Avas evidently 
 prepared with judgment and care, under the supervision 
 of its editor, Colonel McClure. lie says : 
 
18 THE BUKNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 " It seems inexplicable to persons and journals at a 
 distance that General Couch, a Major-General command- 
 ing a department, with his border repeatedly invaded, 
 should have no troops. The natural inclination is to 
 blame the commander, for it is reasonable to suppose that 
 he would endeavor to have an adequate command, and 
 also that ample authority would be given him to have 
 sufficient force. Just where the blame belongs, we do 
 not choose now to discuss ; but we do know that it was 
 no fault of General Couch that he Avas unable to defend 
 Chambersburg. He organized a Provost Guard Regiment, 
 some twelve hundred strong, expressly for duty in his 
 department : the men were enlisted under a positive 
 assurance, based on the order authorizing the organiza- 
 tion, that they were to be kept on duty in the department. 
 They were ordered to General Grant after the battles of 
 the Wilderness. He organized six regiments of one hun- 
 dred days' men before the advent of McCausland, and 
 they were ordered to Washington as soon as they were 
 ready to move. • We are assured that Governor Curtin, 
 fully two weeks before the burning of Chambersburg, 
 formally pledged the State to make provision for arming, 
 organizing, and paying the entire militia force of the 
 border for home defence, if the General Government would 
 simply give the uniforms ; and we believe that General 
 Couch pressed it upon the Washington authorities to 
 uniform the entire force of the southern counties, assur- 
 ing them that the people were willing to defend themselves 
 if encouraged by granting them uniforms, so as to save 
 them from inhuman butchery, but it was denied. We do 
 not speak advisedly as to General Couch's corresi^ondence 
 with the Washington authorities ; we give no statements 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 19 
 
 at his instance, or based upon information received from 
 him or his officers ; but we do write whereof we know, 
 Avhen we say that every effort was made to carry these 
 measures into effect, and that they were not sanctioned at 
 Washington. Wliile we do not assume to fix the respon- 
 sibility of this terrible disaster, we do mean that it shall 
 not fall upon a commander who was shorn of his strength 
 and left helpless with his people. 
 
 The Eebels Enter Chambersburg. 
 
 " The rebels having been interrupted in their entrance 
 into the town until daylight, they employed their time in 
 planting two batteries in commanding positions, and get- 
 ting up their whole column, fully three thousand strong. 
 About 6 o'clock on Saturday morning they opened with 
 their batteries and fired some half a dozen shots into the 
 town, but they did no damage. Immediately thereafter 
 their skirmishers entered by almost every street and alley 
 running out west and southwest ; and finding their way 
 clear, their cavalry, to the number of eight hundred and 
 thirty- one, came in under the immediate command of Gene- 
 ral McCausland. General Bradley Johnson was with 
 him, and also the notorious Major Harry Gilmore. 
 
 Plundering Promptly Commenced. 
 
 " While McCausland and Gilmore Avere reconnoitring 
 around to get a deal with the citizens for tribute, his 
 soldiers exhibited the proficiency of their training by 
 immediate and almost indiscriminate robbery. Hats, 
 caps, boots, Avatches, silver-Avare, and everything of value, 
 Avere appropriated from individuals on the streets Avithout 
 ceremony ; and Avhen a man was met Avhose appearance 
 
20 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 indicated a plethoric purse, a pistol would be presented to 
 his head with the order to "deliver," with a dexterity 
 that would have done credit to the freebooting accom- 
 plishments of an Italian brigand. 
 
 Tribute Demanded. 
 
 " General McCausland rode up to a number of citizens 
 and gave notice that unless five hundred thousand dollars 
 in greenbacks, or one hundred thousand dollars in gold 
 was paid in half an hour, the town would be burned ; but 
 no one responded to his call. He was promptly answered 
 that Chambersburg could not and would not pay any ran- 
 som. No committee was appointed, and no individuals 
 attempted to deal Avith the arch-fiend who had come at 
 once to rob and destroy. He had the Court-house bell 
 rung to convene the citizens, hoping to frighten them into 
 the payment of a large sum of money, but no one attended. 
 No sort of eifort was made either by individuals singly 
 or in organized capacities to make terms ; all had resolved 
 that the freebooter should fulfil his threat rather than 
 pay tribute. Infuriated at the determination of our peo- 
 ple, Major Gilmore rode up to a group of citizens, con- 
 sisting of Thomas B. Kennedy, William McLellan, J. 
 McDowell Sharpe, Dr. J. C. Richards, William H. Mc- 
 Dowell, W. S. Everett, Edward G. Etter, and M. A. Foltz, 
 and ordered them under arrest. He said that they would 
 be held for the payment of the money, and if not paid he 
 would take them to Richmond as hostages, and also burn 
 every house in town. While he was endeavoring to force 
 them into an eifort to raise him money, his men commenced 
 the work of firing, and they were discharged when it was 
 found that intimidation would effect nothing. 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 21 
 
 Burning of Chambersburg-. 
 
 " The main part of the town was enveloped in flames in 
 ten minutes, l^o time was given to remove women or 
 children, or sick, or even the dead. No notice of the 
 kind was communicated to any one ; but like infuriated 
 fiends from hell itself the work of destruction was com- 
 menced. They did not have anything to learn in their 
 horrid trade — they proved themselves experts in their 
 calling. They divided into squads, and fired every other 
 house, and often every house, if they presented any pros- 
 pect of plunder. They would beat in the door with iron 
 bars or heavy plank, smash up any furniture with an axe, 
 throw fluid or oil upon it, and ply the match. They 
 almost invariably entered every room of each bouse, rifled 
 the drawers of every bureau, appropriated money, jewelry, 
 watches and any other valuables, and often would present 
 pistols to the heads of inmates, men and women, and 
 demand money or their lives. In nearly half the instances 
 they demanded owners to ransom their property, and in a 
 few cases it was done and the property burned. Although 
 we have learned of a number of persons, mostly widows, 
 who paid them sums from twenty-five to two hundred dol- 
 lars, we know of but one case where the property was 
 saved thereby. Mr. James Kennedy, near town, saved 
 his buildings by the payment of two hundred dollars. 
 The main object of the men seemed to be plunder. Not 
 a house escaped rifling — all were plundered of everything 
 that could be carried away. In most cases houses were 
 entered in the rudest manner, and no time whatever 
 allow^ed even for the families to escape, much less to save 
 anything. Many families had the utmost difiiculty to get 
 3* 
 
22 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURa. 
 
 themselves and children out in time, and not. one-half had 
 so much as a change of clothing with them. They would 
 rush from story to story to rob, and always fire the build- 
 ing at once in order to keep the family from detecting 
 their robberies. Feeble and helpless women and children 
 were treated like brutes — told insolently to get out or 
 burn ; and even the sick were not spared. Several inva- 
 lids had to be carried out as the red flames licked their 
 couches. Thus the work of desolation continued for two 
 hours ; more than half of the town on fire at once, and 
 the wild glare of the flames, the shrieks of women and 
 children, and often louder than all the terrible blasphemy 
 of the rebels, conspired to present such a scene of horror 
 as has never been witnessed by the present generation. 
 No one was spared save by accident. The widow and 
 the fatherless cried and plead in vain that they would be 
 homeless and helpless. A rude oath would close all hope 
 of mercy, and they would fly to save their lives. The 
 old and infirm who tottered before them were thrust aside, 
 and the torch applied in their presence to hasten their 
 departure. So thoroughly were all of them master of the 
 trade of destruction that there is scarcely a house standing 
 in Chambersburg to-day that they attempted to burn, 
 although their stay did not exceed tvt'o hours. In that 
 brief period, the major portion of Chambersburg — its 
 chief Avealth and business, its capital and elegance — were 
 devoured by a barbarous foe ; three millions of property 
 sacrificed ; three thousand human beings homeless and 
 many penniless ; and all without so much as a pretence 
 that the citizens of the doomed village, or any of them, 
 had violated any accepted rule of civilized warfare. Such 
 is the deliberate, voluntary record made by General Early, 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBEESBURG. 23 
 
 a corps commander in the insurgent array. The Govern- 
 ment may not take summary vengeance, although it has 
 abundant power to do so ; but there is One whose voice is 
 most terrible in wrath, who has declared, ' Vengeance is 
 mine ; I will repay ! ' " 
 
 Incidents of the Burning-. 
 
 We find it impossible to make room for all the many 
 touching incidents which occurred in the burning of the 
 town. The house of Mr. James Watson, an old and fee- 
 ble man of over eighty, Avas entered, and because his wife 
 earnestly remonstrated against the burning, they fired the 
 room, hurled her into it and locked the door on the out- 
 side. Her daughters rescued her by bursting in the door 
 before her clothing took fire. Mrs. Conner, the widow of 
 a Union soldier, who has no means of support, got on her 
 knees and begged to save her and her little ones from the fury 
 of rebel wrath ; but while she was thus pleading for mercy, 
 they fired her little home, and stole ten dollars from her, — 
 the only money she had in the world. Mr. Wolfkill, a very 
 old citizen, and prostrated by sickness so that he was ut- 
 terly unable to be out of bed, plead in vain to be spared 
 a horrible death in the flames of his own house ; but they 
 laughed at his terror and fired the building. Through the 
 superhuman efforts of some friends he was carried away 
 safely. Mrs. Lindsay, a very feeble lady of nearly eighty, 
 fainted when they fired her house, and was left by the 
 fiends to be devoured in the flames : but fortunately a rela- 
 tive reached the house in time, and lifting her in a buggy 
 in the stable pulled her away while the flames were kissing 
 each other over their heads on the street. Mrs. Kuss, wife 
 of the jeweller on Main Street, lay dead ; and although 
 
24 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 they were shown the dead body, they plied the torch and 
 burned the house. Mrs. J. K. Shryock was there with 
 Mrs. Kuss's dying babe in her arms, and plead for the sake 
 of the dead mother and dying child to spare that house, 
 but it was unavailing. The body of Mrs. Kuss was hur- 
 riedly buried in the garden, and the work of destruction 
 went on. The next day it was taken up and interred in the 
 Catholic graveyard. When the flames drove Mrs. Shryock 
 out with the child, she went to one of the men and pre- 
 senting the dying babe, said, "/s tJiis revenge siveet?" 
 A tender chord was touched, and without speaking he 
 burst into tears. He afterwards followed Mrs. Shryock, 
 and asked whether he could do anything for her ; but it 
 was then too late. The babe has ceased to be motherless, 
 for it shares a mother's sepulchre. The houses of Messrs. 
 McLellan, Sharpe and Nixon were saved miraculously. 
 They are located east of the railroad, and out of the busi- 
 ness part of the town. They were not reached until the 
 rest of the town was in flames, and the roads were stream- 
 ing with homeless women and children. Mr. McLellan's 
 residence was the first one entered, and he was notified 
 that the house must be burned. Mrs. McLellan immedi- 
 ately stepped to the door, and laying one hand on the rebel 
 officer, and pointing with the other to the frantic fugitive 
 women and children passing by, said to him, "/S'iV, is not 
 your vengeance glutted? We have a home and can get 
 another ; hut can you spare no homes for those poor, help- 
 less people and their children f When you and I and all 
 of us shall meet before the Crreat Judge, can you justify 
 this act?" He made no reply, but ordered his command 
 away, and that part of the town was saved. Mrs. Louis 
 Shoemaker rushed up stairs when they fired her house to 
 
TEIE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG. 25 
 
 save some valuables, and returned -vvitli some silver spoons 
 in her hand. She found the rebels quarrelling over a val- 
 uable breast-pin of hers, several claiming it by right of 
 discovery, and the dispute Avas ended, for the time at least, 
 by one rudely taking the spoons from Mrs. Shoemaker and 
 dividing them among the squad. Mrs. Denig escaped by 
 wetting blankets and throwing them around her, thus en- 
 abling her to get out through the burning buildings in the 
 rear of her houseo The residence of Mr. McElwaine was 
 burned by a squad of rebels, who first demanded and pro- 
 cured their breakfast from him, because he was guilty of 
 teaching colored children, and he Avas fired at as he made 
 his escape. S. M. Royston, bar-keeper at Montgomery's 
 Hotel, Avas robbed on his way down stairs of $700, — all the 
 savings of his life. He was met by a squad of rebels, and 
 dexterously relieved of his money and all valuables. Mr. 
 Holmes Crawford Avas taken into an alley while his house 
 Avas burning, and his pockets rifled. All he had about him 
 Avas $1.60, and that was appropriated. He was thus de- 
 tained until it Avas impossible for him to get out by the 
 street, and he had to take his feeble wife and sit in the 
 rear of his lot until the buildings burned around him. 
 Father McCullom, Catholic priest of this place, Avas robbed 
 of his AA'atch. He Avas sitting on his porch, and a party of 
 rebels came up and peremptorily demanded his watch, 
 Avhich he delivered. He was also robbed of his Avatch last 
 year by Jenkins's men, the same command that burned 
 Chambersburg. Colonel Stumbaugh Avas arrested near 
 his liome early in the morning, and with a pistol presented 
 to his head ordered to procure some whiskey. He refused, 
 for the very good reason that he had none and could get 
 none. He was released, but afterAvards re-arrested by 
 
26 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 another squad, the officer naming him, and was insulted in 
 every possible way. He informed the officer that he had 
 been in the service, and that if General Battles was pre- 
 sent, they would not dare to insult him. When asked why, 
 he answered, " I captured him at Shiloh, and treated him 
 like a soldier." A rebel Major present, who had been 
 under Battles, upon inquiry, was satisfied that Colonel 
 Stumbaugh's statement was correct, ordered his prompt 
 release, and withdrew the entire rebel force from that part 
 of Second Street, and no buildings Avere burned. Colonel 
 Boyd's residence, "Federal Hill," was also put under 
 guard, Avhen Mrs. Boyd informed them who lived there. 
 They had some recollections of Colonel Boyd occasionally 
 penetrating the Shenandoah Valley, and it Avas not deemed 
 Avholesome to burn his property. Mr, John Treher, of 
 Loudon, was robbed by the rebels of $200 in gold and 
 silver, and $100 in currency. The money was in a bureau 
 draAver, but it Avas most dexterously appropriated by the 
 scienced light-fingered gentry of McCausland. They also 
 stole all his liquors. Mr. D. R. Knight, an artist, started 
 out to the residence of Mr. McClure Avhen he saAv Norland 
 on fire, and on his way he was robbed of all his money by 
 a squad of rebels. He reached the house in time to aid 
 in getting the Avomen aAvay. Rebel officers had begged of 
 him before he started to get the Avomen out of tOAvn as fast 
 as possible, as many rebel soldiers Avere intoxicated and 
 they feared the worst consequences. 
 
 Burning- of ITorland. 
 
 Soon after the Avork of destruction had commenced, a 
 squad Avas detailed to burn "Norland," the residence of 
 A. K. McClure. It is situated a mile from the centre of 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBUKG. 27 
 
 the town, and no other building was fired within half a 
 mile of it, although fifty houses stand between it and the 
 burnt portion of Chambersburg. The squad was com- 
 manded by Captain Smith, son of Governor Smith (Extra 
 Billy), of Virginia, whose beautiful residence near War- 
 renton has ever been carefully guarded by Union troops 
 when within our lines. The mother and sisters of the 
 officer who fired "Norland" have lived in peace and safety 
 in their home, under Federal guards, since the war com- 
 menced. With the cry of " retaliation," Captain Smith 
 proceeded to Mr. McClure's residence. Passing the beau- 
 tiful mansion of Mr. Eyster, he supposed he had reached 
 the object of his vengeance, and he alighted and met Mr, 
 Eyster at the door. " Colonel McClure, I presume," said 
 the chivalrous son of Virginia. "• No, sir ; my name is 
 Eyster," was the reply. " Where is McClure's house?" 
 was the next interrogatory. As the property was evi- 
 dently doomed, and in sight, Mr. Eyster could only answer 
 that it was further out the road, and the noble warrior 
 passed on. He found Mrs. McClure quite ill, having been 
 confined to her bed for ten days previous. He informed 
 her that the house must be burned by way of retaliation, 
 for what particular wrong, he did not seem anxious to 
 explain. He magnanimously stated that she should have 
 ten minutes to get the family out of the house and away ; 
 and to prove his sincerity he at once fired the house on 
 each story. To convince Mrs. McClure that he was a 
 chivalrous foe, he ordered her to open her secretary while 
 the house was in flames around her, and, evidently ambi- 
 tious to show his literary tavSte and acquirements, he com- 
 menced to read her private letters. Mrs. McClure in- 
 formed him that he would doubtless be disappointed in her 
 
28 THE BURNING OF CIIAMBERSBURG, 
 
 assortment of literature, as her husband had no papers or 
 letters in the house ; but as he seemed desirous to read 
 something, she would commend to him a letter she had 
 just received the day before from a rebel prisoner, invok- 
 ing the blessing of Heaven upon her and hers for kind 
 ministrations to a foe. The Avriter had been here with 
 Lee, in June, 1863, and was on guard at the house, and 
 was of course treated kindly. The sick of the same com- 
 mand, as well those of McCausland's forces, then under 
 Jenkins, were all humanely cared for by Mrs. McClure ; 
 and the author of the letter, having since been captured, 
 and suffering from sickness and destitution, wrote her some 
 time before, stating his condition. That she had not 
 turned a deaf ear even to a foe when suffering, is evidenced 
 by the acknowledgment presented to Captain Smith, which 
 was as follows : 
 
 Prisoners' Camp, Point Lookout, Md., 
 July 20. 1864. 
 
 Mrs. M. S. McClure. 
 
 Madam : It is with feelings of intense gratitude I ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of your letter under date of 21st 
 
 June, inclosing dollars. Words are inadequate to 
 
 express my gratitude for so kind, so benevolent, and unex- 
 pected a favor. I can only simply say, many thanks and 
 ma}^ God bless you. I have a mother and sisters ; and your 
 letter I shall retain and convey to them, in order that they 
 may see the Christian kindness of one who is against us, 
 and urge that they may emulate your example, and never 
 be backward when an opportunity is offered in giving aid 
 to a needy Federal soldier. 
 
 As it may never be in my povver to reciprocate the favor 
 received at your hands, my prayer is that God may re- 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 29 
 
 ward you for it With best wishes for your 
 
 health and happiness, and trusting that this dark war- 
 cloud may soon be dispelled, and peace and happiness and 
 prosperity once more smile upon us, 
 
 I am, madam, with much respect, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 James B. Stamp, 
 
 Co. C, 9th Division 
 
 Such a letter was not just the entertainment to which 
 the imperious son of the South considered himself invited. 
 Instead of retaliating for wrongs done, he found himself 
 about to apply the torch where friend and foe had found 
 solace in distress, even his own men having been mercifully 
 ministered to there by the one over whose aching head and 
 enfeebled limbs he was inviting the fury of the flames. 
 He read the letter and answered, " This is awful! it is 
 awful to hum this house!" and in vindication of his con- 
 trition, he left Mrs. McClure to escape from the fire while 
 he proceeded to the adjoining room, and, in a fit of remorse, 
 stole Mr. McClure's gold watch and other articles of value. 
 Fortunately Mrs. McClure had some of her own clothing 
 in a trunk, and one of the squad kindly aided her in get- 
 ting it out of the house, and it was saved, but nothing 
 belonging to Mr. McClure was allowed to be removed. 
 Mrs. Rev. Niccolls, who had rushed to the house, was 
 caught on the stairs with a coat on her arms, and it was 
 rudely taken from her, with the remark, " Saving anything 
 belonging to him is expressly forbidden." In five mi- 
 nutes the house was enveloped in flames, and Mrs. McClure 
 and the other members of the family at home, started on 
 foot, in the heat of the day, to escape the vengeance of 
 4 
 
30 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 the chivalry. The torch was thrust into the large, well- 
 filled barn, and in half an hour a few charred walls was all 
 that remained of "Norland." Captain Smith could con- 
 ceal the watch and other articles he purloined at " Nor- 
 land" as trophies of his valor, but the silver pitcher was 
 unwieldy, and could not be secreted from profane eyes as 
 he rode back through town from the scene of his triumph. 
 He resolved, therefore, to give a public display of his gene- 
 rosity. He stopped at Rev. Mr. Kennedy's, and handed 
 the pitcher to his wife, with the request, " Please deliver 
 this to Mrs. Colonel McClure, with the compliments of 
 Captain Smith." The goblets were strapped to the saddle 
 of one of his squad, and the watch could be pocketed to 
 prevent the tell-tale qualities of the pitcher, and they were 
 borne off to the land of heroic warriors and noble blood. 
 
 Humane Rebel Officers. 
 
 Fiendish and relentless as were McCausland and most 
 of his command, there were notable exceptions, who bravely 
 maintained the humanities of war in the midst of the in- 
 furiated freebooters who were plying the torch and secur- 
 ing plunder. Surgeon Budd was conversing with several 
 citizens Avhen the demand for tribute was made, and he 
 assured all present that the rebel commander would not 
 burn Chambersburg. In the midst of his assurances, the 
 flames burst forth almost simultaneously in every part of 
 the town. When he saw the fire break out, he wept like a 
 child, and publicly denounced the atrocities of his com- 
 mander. He took no part in it whatever, save to aid 
 some unfortunate ones in escaping from the flames. Cap- 
 tain Baxter, formerly of Baltimore, peremptorily refused 
 to participate in the burning, but aided many people to 
 
THE BURNING OP CHAxMBERSBURG. 31 
 
 get some clothing and other articles out of the houses. 
 lie asked a citizen as a special favor to write to his friends 
 in Baltimore and acquit him of the hellish work. Surgeon 
 Richardson, another Baltimorean, gave his horse to a lady 
 to get some articles out of the burning town, and publicly 
 deplored the sad work of McCausland. When asked who 
 his commanding officer was, he answered, "Madam, I am 
 ashamed to say that General McCausland is my com- 
 mander !" Captain Watts manfully saved all of Second 
 Street south of Queen, and with his command aided to 
 arrest the flames. He said that he would lose his commis- 
 sion rather than burn out defenceless people ; and other 
 officers and a number of privates displayed every possible 
 evidence of their humanity. One whole company was kept 
 by its captain, name unknown, from burning and pillaging, 
 and the southeastern portion of Chambersburg stands to- 
 day solely because an officer detailed there kept his men 
 employed in aiding people out of their burning houses, and 
 did not apply the torch at all. After the rebels had left, 
 the following note was received by Rev. S. J. Niccolls, 
 Presbyterian pastor, written on an envelope with a pencil: 
 
 Rev. Mr. Niccolls : 
 
 Please write my father and give him my love. Tell 
 him, too, as Mrs. Shoemaker will tell you, that I was most 
 strenuously opposed to the burning of the town. 
 
 B. B. Blair, 
 
 Chaplain, and son of Thomas P. Blair, Shippensburg, Pa. 
 
 That there was a most formidable opposition to burning 
 the town in McCausland's command was manifested in 
 various, ways. In the morning before daylight, when 
 
32 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 McCansland Avas at GreenaAvalt's, on the turnpike west of. 
 Chambersburg, a most boisterous council was held there, 
 at which there were earnest protests made to McCausland 
 against burning anything but public property. McCaus- 
 land was greatly incensed at some of his officers, and 
 threatened them with most summary vengeance if they 
 refused to obey orders.* Many, however, did openly dis- 
 obey, and went even so far as to give the utmost publicity 
 to their disobedience. 
 
 The Order to Burn Chambersburg. 
 
 Captain Fitzhugh exhibited to J. W. Douglas, Esq., an 
 attorney of this place, a written order, with the name of 
 Jubal A. Early to it, directing that Chambersburg should 
 be burned, in retaliation for the burning of six houses in 
 Virginia by Hunter. The burning of Chambersburg was 
 therefore by order of one of the corps commanders of 
 General Lee's army, instead of the work of a guerrilla 
 chief, thus placing the responsibility squarely upon the 
 shoulders of General Lee. We have in support of this 
 the statement of Rev. Mr. Edwards, Episcopal clergyman 
 of Hagerstown, who was taken as a hostage after Cham- 
 bersburg had been destroyed. He was brought to Gene- 
 ral Early's headquarters at Williamsport, and there pa- 
 roled to effect his exchange. General Early there informed 
 him that he had directed Chambersburg to be burned in 
 
 * McCausland had also insisted upon burning the town in the night, to which 
 Johnson and Gilmore persistently objected. Mrs. Greenawalt, a most worthy 
 and intelligent woman, overheard this consultation of the officers in an ad- 
 joining room. The increased horrors which must have resulted if McCaus- 
 land had not been overruled in his determination, may be imagined. 
 
 B. S. S. 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMBEKSBDRa. 8-3 
 
 retaliation for the destruction of property in Virginia by 
 Grant, Meade, and Hunter, and that the account was now 
 squared. 
 
 Retribution. 
 
 Several of the thieves who participated in burning 
 Chambersburg, were sent suddenly to their last account. 
 An officer, whose papers identify him as Major Bo wen, 
 8th Virginia cavalry, was conspicuous for his brutality 
 and robberies. He got too far south of the firing parties 
 to be covered by them, and in his desire to glut his thiev- 
 ing propensities, he was isolated. He was captured by 
 several citizens, in the midst of his brutal work, and was 
 despatched promptly. When he was fired at and slightly 
 wounded, he took refuge in the burning cellar of one of 
 the houses, and there with the intense heat blistering him, 
 he begged them to spare his life ; but it was in vain. Half 
 the town was still burning, and it was taxing humanity 
 rather too much to save a man who had added the boldest 
 robbery to atrocious arson. He was shot dead, and now 
 sleeps near the Falling Spring, nearly opposite the depot. 
 He was about five feet five inches in height, very stoutly 
 built, with sandy hair, goatee and mustache, sandy com- 
 plexion, full face, and from thirty-five to forty years of 
 age. Mr. Thomas H. Doyle, of Loudon, who had served 
 in Easton's battery, followed the retreating rebels toward 
 Loudon, to capture stragglers. When beyond St. Thomas 
 he caught Captain Cochran, quartermaster of 11th Vir- 
 ginia cavalry, and as he recognized him as one who had 
 participated in the destruction of Chambersburg, he gave 
 him just fifteen minutes to live. Cochran was armed with 
 sword and pistols, but he was taken so suddenly by Mr. 
 4* 
 
34 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 Doyle that he had no chance to use them. He begged 
 piteously for his life, but Mr. Doyle w.as inexorable ; the 
 foe who burns and robs must die, and he so informed him 
 peremptorily. At the very second he shot the thief dead, 
 and found on his person $815 of greenbacks, all stolen 
 from our citizens, and $1750 of rebel currency. His 
 sword, belt and pistols were brought to this place by Mr, 
 Doyle. Scores of McCausland's command were killed on 
 the retreat by General Averill's forces. Many of them 
 were intoxicated, and all demoralized by plunder, and they 
 became an easy prey to our troops who passed through the 
 burning town in the pursuit of the barbarians. 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 Mt dear Friend : 
 
 In your last letter, you ask me what are the feelings of 
 our people, especially the sufferers, under the severe stroke 
 which has befallen them ; whether desponding or other- 
 wise, and whether the spirit of " retaliation for the bitterly 
 severe losses and deprivations does not largely manifest 
 itself among them." 
 
 In regard to the first, I am enabled to say, that during 
 the whole course of my life, I have not witnessed such an 
 absence of despondent feeling under great trials and sudden 
 reverses of earthly fortune, never such buoyancy and vigor 
 of soul, and even cheerfulness amid accumulated woes and 
 sorroAvs, as I have during these four weeks of our devas- 
 tated town. And I leave you to imagine the many cases 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 35 
 
 of extreme revulsion from independence and affluence to 
 utter helplessness and want. The widoAV and fatherless, 
 the aged and infirm, suddenly bereft of their earthly all, 
 in very many instances, even of a change of clothing. 
 Large and valuable libraries, manuscripts, the accumula- 
 tions of many years, statuary, paintings, precious and 
 never to be replaced mementos — more valued than gol(l or 
 silver — gone forever. And yet amid all these losses and 
 the consequent self-denial and adaptation to another and 
 almost entirely diiferent state of things, to which the great 
 majority of the people have been subjected, you seldom see 
 a sad or sombre countenance on the street or elsewhere. 
 Exceptions there are, doubtless, traceable in part to feeble 
 physical constitution, in part also to an inordinate love of 
 and dependence upon transitory and evanescent objects. 
 But in a general way, the sufferers by this wholesale de- 
 vastation, are among the most patient, unmurmuring, 
 cheerful, hopeful people I have ever known. God really 
 seems to have given special grace in a special time of need. 
 When, on the morning after the burning and pillage (God's 
 sweet day of rest), I attempted to preach to an hum- 
 ble flock of Germans, whom I serve once a Sabbath, a 
 godly woman, belonging to the little congregation, wept 
 nearly during the whole service. On the way to my lodg- 
 ing-place, I overtook her and found her still in tears. 
 Fearing I had been misinformed as to her safety from the 
 recent calamity, I asked for the cause of her grief. " I 
 weep for others, my dear pastor," she replied, " and not 
 altogether and entirely for others either, for I fear me 
 that if my little all had been burnt before my eyes, I should 
 not have grace enough to bear up as you and the rest are 
 enabled to do." And then with an outburst of uncon- 
 
36 THE BURNINa OF CHAMBERSBURa. 
 
 trolled emotion she added, " And you can yet exhort us to 
 forgive these our enemies, and not to murmur and repine 
 under all this, as not only you yourself but others have 
 said. It's this that makes me weep." I freely confess, 
 that I have never experienced in my own case, nor in the 
 case of others, even under comparatively light and trifling 
 losses and deprivations, such resignation, such quiet, gentle 
 submission, and such calm endurance, amid the loss of all 
 things, as in this instance. To such an extent have been 
 these manifestations, that persons from neighboring towns, 
 and strangers from a distance, who in great numbers have 
 visited the place, almost universally remark upon it. A 
 highly intelligent and pious woman in a remote part of the 
 county, a few days after the burning, called at the house 
 in which a number of the homeless ones were kindly cared 
 for. The large dining-table was surrounded by those 
 who, a few days before, were in possession of all the com- 
 forts and many of the luxuries of life. Pleasant and 
 cheerful conversation passed around the board. The visi- 
 tor alone seemed sad. Tears stood in her eyes as she looked 
 around upon us. " I am amazed beyond measure at you 
 all," she said. "I expected to see nought but tears, to 
 hear only lamentations and sighs, and here you are as I 
 have seen and known you in your bright and happy days, 
 calm, and even cheerful !" When one of our number re- 
 plied, that no tear over the losses sustained had yet been 
 shed by herself, but many tears at the numerous tokens 
 of Christian sympathy and generous aid from far and near 
 to relieve the immediate necessities of the sufferers, she 
 added, " God be thanked for your words ; they sink like 
 precious ointment, deep down into my heart. Oh, what a 
 commentary on the promised grace of God !" And we 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. Oi 
 
 all felt, I am sure, that among the many gifts of our 
 Heavenly Father, not" the least was 
 
 " A cheerful heart, 
 That tastes those gifts with joy." 
 
 And in regard to the feeling of revenge — so natural to 
 the human heart — I have been gratifyingly disappointed. 
 Among the heaviest sufferers, by far the largest propor- 
 tion have not only expressed themselves decidedly opposed 
 to the spirit of retaliation, but have used their best efforts 
 to dissuade our soldiers from carrying their threats into 
 execution when opportunity should offer. They have gone 
 further, and have drawn up a petition in which they ear- 
 nestly implore the Government in Washington, to prevent 
 to the utmost, anything of the kind on the part of our 
 armjr. They believe it to be morally wrong, no matter 
 what the provocation from the other side may be, and 
 have always condemned the destruction of private pro- 
 perty by our troops in the South, whenever isolated in- 
 stances of the kind were reported. They believe more- 
 over, with our wise and judicious Governor, that retalia- 
 tion "• can do no good to our own people, but a great deal 
 of evil, because w^e have more towns, villages, flouring and 
 other mills to be destroyed in three counties, than our ene- 
 mies in the Southern States have in fifteen or twenty coun- 
 ties." 
 
 Such a wholesale, premeditated and cruel work of de- 
 struction as the burning of Chambersburg, was never per- 
 petrated by Union troops, and Avhen Richmond papers 
 have said so, they have said what the facts in the case did 
 not warrant. It must be admitted, however, that in too 
 many instances, Union troops did destroy private property 
 
dO THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG. 
 
 unnecessarily and wantonly. We hope in God it will never 
 be done again. We trust our commanding officers in 
 the army will not allow passion to overrule principle, mili- 
 tary rule, and military honor. Within sight of our charred 
 and desolated homes, we implore and beseech them not to 
 bring reproach upon our Government, trample upon all 
 law and order, inaugurate cruel barbarity instead of civi- 
 lized warfare, and be guilty of such accumulated horrors 
 as have been enacted here. And yet, all this, and much 
 more, will follow with unerring certainty, if the immoral, 
 dishonorable, and unmilitary spirit of retaliation is carried 
 into effect. God in mercy forbid it ! 
 
 In this connection, and for the purpose of showing that 
 I am not alone in the views expressed as regards the 
 destruction of private property by Union troops on the 
 one hand, and the exaggerated or untrue statements of 
 the Southern press on the other, I will quote the following 
 paragraphs from the pen of Colonel McClure, in his paper 
 already referred to. I suppose his statements come as 
 near the truth, on both sides of the line, as can well be 
 ascertained. He says : 
 
 " Jacksonville (Florida) was fired at a single point when 
 our troops Avere retreating from it, because citizens fired 
 on our troops from the house, and unfortunately most of 
 the town — composed of wooden structures — was destroyed. 
 The .firing was in accordance with a well-recognized rule, 
 that civilians who shelter themselves in their houses to 
 fire upon troops, shall not only lose their property but 
 suffer death. Our troops sometimes, and only sometimes, 
 enforce the first and milder part of the rule. The rebels 
 invariably enforce the entire rule relentlessly, and we 
 have yet to hear of complaint from Northern journals 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. o'J 
 
 because they do so. In Alexandria an accidental fii-c, 
 resulting from a party of intoxicated soldiers, threatened 
 the destruction of the entire town, owing to its inflam- 
 mable buildings and unfavorable winds ; but it was arrested 
 before one-third of the village — the poorest portion of it 
 — was burned. At the head of the force detailed to put 
 out the fire was Major-General Banks in person, and by 
 his orders and efforts the to^tn was saved. Jackson (Mis- 
 sissippi) was partially destroyed by our guns when it was 
 defended by the rebels, but it was not fired and burned 
 by our troops after possession was gained. Wrongs, even 
 atrocities, may have been committed by individual soldiers 
 or isolated commands ; but no such thing as deliberately 
 and wantonly burning and robbing houses was practised 
 by the Union army. Colonel Montgomery committed 
 gross outrages on private citizens in two raids in South 
 Carolina, which we have never seen reason to justify, but 
 he was deprived of his command, or at least subordinated, 
 and it may be dismissed, as he should have been. Kil- 
 patrick burned mills unwarrantably, as we have ever 
 believed, and other Union commanders may have done 
 the same ; but it was some excuse that they were filled 
 with rebel supplies. While McCausland was on his way 
 to Chambersburg to lay it waste. General Rousseau was 
 penetrating the richest part of Georgia, and not a single 
 private house or building of any kind was destroyed, nor 
 were his soldiers permitted to enter a residence on the 
 route. When private property was near to Government 
 stores, which he had to fire, he detailed men to save all 
 but the buildings belonging to or used by the rebel govern- 
 ment. General Stoneman enforced the same rules rigidly 
 in all his raids, and so did Grierson. The Union troops 
 
40 THE BUKNING OF CHAMBERSBUKG. 
 
 have captured and occupied hundreds of rebel towns since 
 the war has commenced, and they have yet the first time 
 to demand the freebooter's tribute, or destroy a town by 
 order of a commanding officer. Repeatedly have our 
 troops been fired upon and murdered by skulking rebels 
 who protected themselves in their dwellings ; but in no 
 case has a town been destroyed therefor." 
 
 LETTER ly. 
 
 Dear Friend : 
 
 After my last letter had been beyond my control, I was 
 made acquainted with some additional incidents which 
 may interest you. 
 
 A lady, well known to me, the mother of a large family 
 of children, was ordered to leave the house in five minutes, 
 as the house must be burned. She collected them all 
 around her to obey the cruel summons. Preparations 
 were at once made to fire the building in the rooms above 
 and below, and as the family group walked out of the 
 large and beautiful mansion, the children burst into loud 
 weeping. " I am ashamed of you," said the tenderly 
 loving, yet heroic woman, " to let these men see you cry," 
 and every child straightened up, brushed away his tears, 
 and bravely marched out of the doomed home. 
 
 An elderly woman, of true Spartan grit, gave one of 
 the house-burners such a sound drubbing with a heavy 
 broom, that the invader retreated, to leave the work of 
 destruction to be performed by another party, after the 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. -11 
 
 ■woman had left to escape the approaching flames of ad- 
 joining buildings.. 
 
 The wife of a clergyman succeeded in preventing one 
 of the enemy from firing her house, by reminding him 
 that she had fed him during Stuart's raid in 1862, and 
 that she also ministered to him when he was in the hos- 
 pital in this place in the summer of 186B. The man 
 recognized her, and frankly declared that he could not be 
 so base as to destroy her house, now that he remembered 
 her kind ofiices. He had been wounded and made a 
 prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, was brought to the 
 hospital here and afterwards exchanged. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Hoke, one of our most worthy and enter- 
 prising merchants, has furnished the following statement 
 of facts and incidents for publication in the Religious 
 Telescope, in Dayton, Ohio. As his residence and store 
 were located in the centre of the town, he had an oppor- 
 tunity of witnessing the scenes of the day to greater 
 advantage than most others. I may as well inclose the 
 principal part of his article, as it explains more fully seve- 
 ral general statements before given, whilst, at the same 
 time, it brings out some points not alluded to before: 
 
 Mr. Editor : Not having seen, in any published report, 
 a satisfactory account of the late rebel raid on Chambers- 
 burg, and being a resident here, and an eye-witness, I will 
 hastily sketch what came under my own observation, and 
 what I have from reliable persons. In Thursday's Phila- 
 delphia Inquirer, the correspondent at Frederick stated 
 " that our troops were in such numbers, and so situated, 
 that for the first time in the history of the war, glorious 
 5 
 
42 TUB BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 news might be expected from the Shenandoah Valley." 
 Very high military authority, but a few days prior to the 
 raid, assured us "that every ford of the Potomac was 
 strictly watched ; that it was impossible for the enemy to 
 cross; that if they only would cross it would be the best 
 thing that could happen, as they could never get back 
 again." In this way our community was lulled into com- 
 parative security, until on Friday, July 29th, at 12| 
 o'clock, it was announced that the rebels had crossed in 
 considerable force at Williamsport, and also at Cherry 
 Run. No one could depict the scene of excitement that 
 then occurred. Merchants, and others commenced pack- 
 ing, shipping, and otherw^ise disposing of their valuables. 
 At eight o'clock in the evening General Hunter's large 
 wagon train commenced passing through our town toward 
 Harrisburg, and continued passing during the greater 
 part of the night. I think our citizens will^ouch for the 
 truth of what I say, that at least fifteen hundred cavalry 
 and two hundred infantry passed through with that train, 
 as guards and as stragglers. That these men were not 
 stopped here by General Couch, who did not leave town 
 until three o'clock in the morning, is explained by the as- 
 sertion that they were under orders from General Hunter 
 to guard his train. That train was entirely safe after it 
 had passed through Chambersburg, and that body of men, 
 judiciously posted, could, with the artillery in town, and 
 the citizens, have held the enemy in check until Averill 
 could arrive, who was then ten miles distant, and threat- 
 ened in his front by a force of rebels who, it is now evi- 
 dent, were only making a demonstration to hold him until 
 the other, and heavier, column, under McCausland and 
 Gilmore, could effect their object in Chambersburg. 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 4o 
 
 I sat at my window, on the corner of the Diamond, and 
 saw them enter. Skirmishers, dismounted, led the ad- 
 vance, followed by cavalry. They came in simultaneously 
 in all the streets and alleys, and called to each other as a 
 signal, as they reached the centre of the Diamond. In 
 five minutes after, a force of about four hundred cavalry 
 filed around the Public Square, and immediately com- 
 menced the work of plunder. The first building broken 
 open was Mr. Paxton's shoe and hat store ; then the liquor 
 stores adjoining my residence. I met them at my store 
 door and unlocked it, when about twenty entered it and 
 commenced a thorough search. Finding it empty, they 
 inquired where I had my goods, to which I replied, I had 
 shipped them to Philadelphia. Returning from the room, 
 I locked the door and sat down by it, and entered into 
 conversation with a gentlemanly-looking man, who in- 
 formed me he was the chaplain to McCausland's command. 
 His name he gave as Johnston, born in Fayette County, 
 Pennsylvania ; said he was a Methodist preacher. During 
 our conversation, an officer dismounted at m}'- door, tied 
 his horse, and listened to our conversation, where he re- 
 mained until the circumstance occurred to which I shall 
 presently refer. The chaplain said to me, " Do you reside 
 in this house?" I replied affirmatively. He then said 
 they were rolling several barrels of combustible matter 
 into the Court-house, near my residence ; that they were 
 going to burn it, and I had better try to save something 
 from our house. Leaving these two men at the door, I ran 
 up stairs and carried a load of precious articles from the 
 parlor table, consisting of a valuable family Bible, books, 
 photograph album, &c., to a neighbor's house, where I pre- 
 sumed they would be safe. They were all burned there, 
 
44 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 hoAvever. Next, I carried some bed-clothing to a different 
 part of the town, and they were saved. Returning to the 
 house, I encountered a rebel officer in one of the rooms. 
 Said he, "Do you belong to this house?" Telling him I 
 did, he said, "My friend, for God's sake, tell me what 
 you value most, and I will take it to a place of safety. 
 They are going to burn every house in the town." I told 
 him if that was the case, it was no use to remove anything, 
 as they might as well burn there as elsewhere. 
 
 By this time my wife and two other occupants of the 
 house came down stairs with each a carpet-bag packed 
 with clothing. The officer followed us to the door, and en- 
 treated one of the women to mount his horse and ride him 
 oif, as he declared he did not w^ant him any more in the 
 rebel service. Another man unbuckled his sword and put 
 it in our house, in disgust at the scene enacting. It was 
 afterward found among the ruins. At the door I found 
 the officer, to whom I previously referred, crying bitterly. 
 The flames were bursting from buildings all around us. 
 " See," said he, " this is awful work. God ! 0, my God, 
 has it come to this, that we have to be made a band of 
 thieves and robbers by a man like McCausland !" I have 
 seen many men weep, but never did I see a strong, robust 
 man hide, with his handkerchief, from his sight, the ap- 
 palling scene, and cry at the top of his voice, "0 God, 
 mighty God! See, see!" 
 
 Reader, imagine the feelings of my family as, but an 
 hour before this, I read, unintentionally, the 138tb Psalm, 
 in which I found these words : " Though I walk in the 
 midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch 
 forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy 
 right hand shall save me." We knelt in prayer, and sur- 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURa. 45 
 
 rounded the breakfast-table under the conviction that it 
 was for the last time in that dear home. Then the hasty 
 snatching of precious relics of dear departed ones, passing 
 hastily from room to room, leaving clothing, beds, furni- 
 ture, library, pictures — all to the devouring flames. In 
 our parlor hung the photographs of several of our bishops, 
 with many others. These were either carried away by the 
 rebels or burned. At the door, we encountered the inci- 
 dent we have previously narrated ; and leaving the officer 
 weeping, we pressed our way through flame and smoke, 
 amidst burning buildings, to the suburbs of the town, 
 where we sat down and watched four hundred buildings in 
 flames, two hundred and seventy-four of which were dwell- 
 ing-houses, the affrighted occupants of which were running 
 wildly through the streets, carrying clothing and other ar- 
 ticles, while screams of anguish from lost children in pur- 
 suit of parents, the feeble efforts of the old and infirm to 
 carry with them some endeared- article from their blazing 
 homes, the roaring and crackling of the flames, falling 
 walls and blinding smoke, all united to form a picture of 
 the horrible which no pen could describe, no painter por- 
 tray. For three hours the fire raged. At about 11 
 o'clock, the rebels left town, as Averill's scouts captured 
 five rebels within one mile of the town. In three hours 
 after their exit, Averill filed through the streets, followed 
 by nearly four thousand men. Eatigued and hungry, both 
 men and horses, they could not travel fast, but the sight 
 of the ruins raised the men to a frenzy, many of whom 
 shouted, "No quarter to McCausland's men." 
 
46 THE burning; of ClIAMBERSBUKG. 
 
 Incidents. 
 
 In our flight through the streets, the rebel ofiicer alluded 
 to, followed us half a square, entreatmg one of the wo- 
 men to mount and ride off his horse, declaring that he was 
 done with the rebel service. No sooner did he turn away, 
 than another rode up and demanded our carpet-bags ; we 
 ran on, and he turned back without them. Brother Win- 
 ton, while fleeing with his wife and little children, was 
 stopped by a cavalryman and compelled to deliver his shoes 
 and hat. Hundreds of robberies occurred of hats, shoes, 
 watches, money, &c. An old and very estimable lady, 
 who had not walked for three years, was told to run, as 
 her house was on fire. She replied that she had not walked 
 for three years. With horrid curses, the wretch poured 
 powder under her chair, declaring that he would teach her 
 to walk ; and while in the act of applying fire to his train, 
 some neighbors ran in and carried her away. A cavalry- 
 man rode up to a house, and thus addressed the occupant: 
 " Are you not a school teacher ?" " Yes, sir," replied the 
 man. "Did you ever teach niggers?" "Yes, sir." 
 " Damn him, fire his house !" He was not permitted even 
 to enter to save a single article. 
 
 The burning mass appeared to converge toward the Dia- 
 mond, forming fearful whirlwinds, that at times moved 
 eastwardly along the line of Market Street. At one time 
 an immense whii-lwind passed over where a large lot of 
 bedding and wearing apparel had been collected, raising 
 nearly one hundred yards into the air large feather beds. 
 Shirts, and lighter articles, were conveyed with fearful 
 velocity high in the air, alighting at a great distance 
 from where they lay. It was grand and fearful, adding 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 47 
 
 to the horror of the scene. In many cases soldiers set 
 fire to houses, and to the tears and entreaties of women and 
 children, they said their " orders were to burn. We will 
 fire; you can do as you please after we go away." An 
 officer rode up to our parsonage, and thus addressed Mrs. 
 Dickson: "Madam, save what you can; in fifteen mi- 
 nutes we will return and fire your house." They did not 
 return. Our church and parsonage were saved. The 
 printing establishment of the German Reformed Messen- 
 ger, belonging to that church, was completely destroyed, 
 with all the valuable presses, &c. Dr. Fisher estimates 
 the loss to the church at over forty thousand dollars. 
 Those of our readers who know the locality, will under- 
 stand the extent of this destruction, from the following : 
 
 Beginning at the Presbyterian lecture-room on the 
 north, the fire swept every building on the west side of 
 Main Street, but four, up to Washington Street, four 
 squares ; from King Street on the north, every building on 
 the east side of Main Street up to Washington, three 
 squares ; from the Franklin Railroad to nearly the top of 
 New England Hill, five squares, on both sides of the street ; 
 also, five to ten dwellings over the top of New England 
 Hill ; from the Market-house down Queen Street, both 
 sides, to the Edge-tool Factory, and several buildings on 
 the street running parallel with the creek, up to Market 
 Street, with many buildings on Second Street from Mar- 
 ket, up near the Methodist Church. The Methodist, Ger- 
 man Reformed and Lutheran Churches saved the parts of 
 the town in which they were situated, from being involved 
 in the general conflagration. The Associate Reformed 
 and Bethel Churches, the latter belonging to " The Church 
 of God," were burned. The Associate Reformed Avas 
 
48 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 used as headquarters for drafted men, hence its destruc- 
 tion. The "Bethel," so marked on a stone in the front, 
 was supposed by the fiends to be a negro church. It was 
 fired by breaking and gathering together the pews, and 
 setting them on fire. In most cases fire was kindled in 
 beds or bureaus, by matches, and in balls of cotton satu- 
 rated in alcohol or kerosene. 
 
 I saw men and oflScers drinking liquor as it was carried 
 from the hotels, the doors of which they broke open. 
 Many were drunk. Women were insulted ; cruel taunts 
 and threats were profusely made. It appeared as if the 
 gates of Pandemonium were opened, and its wretched in- 
 mates let loose to scourge the land. 
 
 The citizens of Chamsbersburg have been held up to 
 ridicule by the New York press, as cowards, for not repel- 
 ling these invaders. Be it known that nearly two thou- 
 sand soldiers found it within the purview of their orders 
 in duty to leave us to our foes, without arms, organiza- 
 tion, or discipline. While not more than eight hundred 
 destroyed our town, twenty-eight hundred more, with six 
 piecefs of artillery, were encamped on the hills west of the 
 town. 
 
 I have thus hastily sketched the foregoing facts, — for 
 such they are. The reader will remember they are writ- 
 ten by one who lost heavily by the fire ; is now surrounded 
 by the extended ruins ; is aware of the sufi'erings and heart- 
 breakings of over two thousand men, women, and chil- 
 dren, many of whom have been reduced from afiluence to 
 poverty, are now dependent for the bread they eat, the 
 clothes they wear, and the houses that shelter them, upon 
 others more favored. 
 
 J. Hoke. 
 
 Chambeesburg, August 10, 1864. 
 
THE BURNING OF CIIAMBEllSBURG. 49 
 
 I also append to the foregoing the folloAving graphic 
 letter in the Pittsburg Evening Chronicle, afterwards 
 copied in the Chambersburg Franklin Repository. It is 
 from the pen of the Rev. S. J. Niccolls, the esteemed 
 pastor of the Presbyterian congregation in this place : 
 
 So much misapprehension exists in many quarters con- 
 cerning the facts connected with the burning of Chambers- 
 burg, that it has become a matter of justice to a wronged 
 and suffering community to state them fully to the public. 
 Many things have been written concerning this calamity 
 true in themselves, but disconnected from their attending 
 circumstances, and so the most injurious impressions have 
 been made on the minds of those who live remote from the 
 border. A connected and truthful narrative of this sad 
 event, it is hoped, will correct these. The history of the 
 past month commences with the advance of Early up the 
 Shenandoah, and the invasion of Maryland. The enemy, 
 about fifteen hundred strong, soon occupied Hagers- 
 town, and it was believed that they intended a raid on 
 Chambersburg. At this time there were three hundred 
 soldiers in the place, under command of General Couch, 
 the whole number available in his department. The 
 citizens rallied around these and determined to defend 
 the town. Barricades Avere thrown across the streets, 
 cannon planted, houses occupied by sharpshooters, and 
 every preparation made for defence. Soon, however, the 
 enemy fell back across the Potomac, and the invasion was 
 declared to be ended. The small body of troops under 
 General Couch were withdrawn to protect the National 
 capital, and we were left defenceless. We were assured, 
 however, that the fords of the Potomac were well guarded, 
 and a large army lay between us and the rebels. The 
 
60 THE BURNING OP CHAMBBRSBURG. 
 
 very papers in New York which now condemn us for our 
 apathy, were daily assuring us that it was " all quiet on 
 the Potomac," and that the enemy had fallen back. We 
 were soon startled from our dream of security by the 
 announcement that General Crooks had been defeated, 
 and the rebels were again advancing to invade Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 We did not then take arms, because it was plain to 
 every one that if the forces of Crooks and Averill could 
 not resist their advance, it would be folly in a few citizens 
 to attempt it. We had seen an invasion once before, and 
 knew what it meant. Anticipating a repetition of the 
 scenes of last year, the people of the county began to 
 remove their stock and valuables. In the midst of con- 
 flicting rumors nothing could be learned of the movements 
 of the enemy until Friday, July 29th. In the afternoon 
 of that day it was known that they had crossed the 
 Potomac, and were advancing rapidly on Chambersburg. 
 We also learned from Mercersburg that the invading force 
 was three thousand strong, or as it afterwards appeared, 
 by actual count, twenty-eight hundred, with six pieces 
 of artillery. To meet this force there were in the town 
 one hundred soldiers, with two pieces of artillery, and. 
 the citizens capable of bearing arms. The number of 
 the latter would not reach three hundred, a. large portion 
 of the population being already in the army, and quite a 
 number absent attending to the removal of their horses 
 and valuables. The citizens who remained were willing 
 to defend the place had it been deemed practicable by 
 General Couch, but with this small and inadequate force 
 at his disposal, it seemed like courting destruction for the 
 town to attempt its defence. A show of resistance, -which 
 
/ 
 
 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 51 
 
 none could hope would be successful, would only give them 
 a pretext for burning. No word could be obtained from 
 General Averill, Avho was then near Greencastle, though 
 the most earnest efforts were made by General Couch to 
 obtain his assistance. ' 
 
 At 4 o'clock A. M. on Saturday the niilitary authorities 
 left, and soon after the combined forceg of McCausland 
 and Bradley Johnson were placed in line of battle upon 
 the range of hills commanding the town. The Eighth Vir- 
 ginia Regiment, numbering about five hundred men, was 
 thrown forward into the streets. These were detailed to 
 burn the place. Johnson, Gilmore, and McCausland, with 
 a number of officers, breakfasted at the Franklin House, 
 after which McCausland ordered the Court-house bell to 
 ring to call the citizens together. There were none, how- 
 ever, who obeyed his call. He then sent out and arrested 
 six of our prominent citizens, and read to them the order 
 of General Early. It was in three sections : first, demand- 
 ing five hundred thousand dollars in currency, or one hun- 
 dred thousand in gold ; second, in case this was not com- 
 plied Avith, the town Avas to be burned ; third, this was done 
 in retaliation for the burning of six houses by General 
 Hunter's command. The names of the owners were men- 
 tioned in the order. The citizens replied that it was 
 utterly impossible to comply with his demand, not one- 
 tenth of that amount of money being in the place : and, 
 more than that, if it were in their possession, it would 
 not be given, as they preferred to lose all rather than give 
 a dollar of ransom. 
 
 But while these pretended negotiations were going on, 
 the incendiaries were already at their work. As McCaus- 
 land released the citizens he had arrested, the smoke was 
 
62 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 rising from the doomed town, and most of these reached 
 their homes to find them in flames. The scene that 
 speedily followed is indescribable in its horrors. The 
 soldiers went from house to house, bursting open the doors 
 Avith planks and axes, and entering, split up the furniture 
 to kindle the fire, or else scattered combustible materials 
 in the closets and along the stairways, and then applied 
 the torch. In a little over half an hour the whole town 
 was fired, so complete were their arrangements to accom- 
 plish their hellish designs. No time was given the inhabi- 
 tants to save anything. The first warning of danger most 
 of them had was the kindling of the fire in their houses, 
 and even the few articles that some caught up in their 
 flight, were seized by the soldiers and flung back into the 
 flames. Many such instances have come to the writer's 
 knowledge, that in their dark malignity almost surpass 
 belief. The aged, the sick, the dying and the dead were 
 carried out from their burning homes ; mothers with their 
 babes in their arms, and surrounded by their friglitened 
 little ones, fled through the streets, jeered and taunted by 
 the brutal soldiery. Indeed their escape seemed almost a 
 miracle, as the streets Avere in a blaze from one end to the 
 other, and they were compelled to flee through a long road 
 of fire. Had not the day been perfectly calm (not a strong 
 breeze prevailing, as some correspondents have stated), 
 many must have perished in the flames. The conflagra- 
 tion in its height was a scene of surpassing grandeur and 
 terror. A tall black column of smoke rose up to the very 
 skies ; around it were wrapped long streamers of flames, 
 writhing and twisting themselves into a thousand fantastic 
 shapes, Avhile through it, as though they were prayers 
 carried heavenward by the incense of some great altar 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 53 
 
 sacrifice, there went up on the smoky flame- riven clouds 
 the cries and shrieks of the women and children. But 
 the moment of greatest alarm was not reached until some 
 of the more humane of the rebel officers warned the women 
 to flee if they wished to escape violence to their persons. 
 We cannot, in this letter, describe the scenes of the sad 
 flight which followed." 
 
 " The ferocity of the rebel soldiers during this aflfair seems 
 almost incredible. With all their fierce passions unre- 
 strained, they seemed to revel, as if intoxicated, in the work 
 of destruction. After firing the houses, they shot at the 
 fleeing citizens, and robbed all who fell into their hands. 
 An aged elder of the Presbyterian church was taken from 
 his house and robbed ; the building was fired while his 
 wife, aged and infirm, was still in it. Upon his return, it 
 was with the utmost difficulty she Avas saved. Escape by 
 the street was impossible, and they were compelled to flee 
 to a little garden in the rear of the house, where they sat 
 for hours, surrounded by fire. The rebel Gilmore forbade 
 a lady to remove her trunks from her house, and upon her 
 telling him to his face Avhat she thought of his conduct, 
 he drcAv his pistol and declared " he would blow out her 
 brains if she did not take that back." Many such in- 
 stances, and worse, might be recorded. There were, in- 
 deed, some among them who acted humanely, refusing to 
 do the work assigned them, but they were exceptions. 
 
 As soon as the town was thoroughly fired at all points, 
 the rebels fell back. On their way out they burned the 
 residence of the County Superintendent of Public Schools, 
 because, as they told his family, " he had taught negroes." 
 Two hours after their departure, General Averill entered 
 the town, and we were once more inside the Union lines. 
 
54 THE BURNING OF CHAMBBRSBURG. 
 
 Such is the story of the burning of Chambersburg. These 
 outlines, however, form a poor picture of the reality. The 
 blackened ruins of this once beautiful town must first be 
 seen before the calamity can be understood, and not then, 
 for it is only by looking at it in detail, by understanding 
 the peculiar sadness there is in each separate loss, and see- 
 ing the strange diversity of sorrow there is in this common 
 woe, that one can realize the full extent of the ruin. 
 Eleven squares of blackened ruins and over three millions 
 of dollars in property consumed is the outward estimate 
 of the loss. But who can write the history of two thou- 
 sand people suddenly made homeless, dashed from affluence 
 to poverty, torn violently from the sacred associations of 
 the past, and driven forth houseless wanderers among 
 strangers ? 
 
 The question is often asked, " Who is responsible for 
 this calamity?" Many coldly and unhesitatingly lay it 
 upon the citizens themselves ; but surely it is not necessary 
 to argue that five hundred citizens could not have resist- 
 ed successfully twenty-eight hundred veteran soldiers with 
 six pieces of artillery. Many, too, have blamed General 
 Couch, and false representations have gone forth that the 
 citizens were greatly incensed against him. The writer 
 of this letter has had peculiar opportunities of knowing 
 the true state of the case, and would ask attention to the 
 folloAving facts. When General Couch took command of 
 this department, one year ago, he urged upon the citizens 
 the necessity of forming organizations for home defence. 
 His appeal was readily responded to, and all the citizens 
 in this borough capable of bearing arms enrolled them- 
 selves in some organization. General Couch then made 
 application to the War Department, asking that we might 
 
THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 55 
 
 be uniformed and enrolled in the general service, so that, 
 if we were ever overpowered, we would be treated as pri- 
 soners of war and not as guerrillas. This request was de- 
 nied. He then proceeded to organize a cavalry force, from 
 what Avas known as the " six months' men," for the de- 
 fence of the border. Many of our citizens enlisted in this 
 force. It was kept on the border until their term of ser- 
 vice expired, when they re-enlisted for three years. But 
 their new organization was scarcely completed, before they 
 were taken from this department and sent to the Army of 
 the Potomac. General Couch then proceeded to organize 
 the " Provost regiment, for special service in his depart- 
 ment." This was filled up to 1200 men, and then, as 
 with the rest, taken from him by order of the Secretary 
 of War. These gone, scarce a corporal's guard was left 
 under his command. 
 
 Two weeks before the advance of Early up the valley, 
 General Couch renewed the request of last year, asking 
 that the citizens might be armed and enrolled ; stating, 
 also, that they were ready to attempt their own defence. 
 This was again denied. Then followed the request made 
 by Governor Curtin, and indorsed by General Couch, 
 Avhich is already published in the Governor's Message. 
 At the time of the invasion of Maryland the whole of the 
 available force in the Department of the Susquehanna did 
 not exceed three hundred men ; and during the raid on 
 Chambersburg, General Couch had but one hundred and 
 thirty-five men under his command. Nor is he to blame 
 for the smallness of this number. He had during this 
 month of alarm organized six regiments of one hundred 
 days' men ; but these, as soon as equipped, were ordered to 
 Washington by the Secretary of War. Such are the facts 
 
56 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 in the case. We make no comments on the propriety of 
 leaving the border thus defenceless. Its security is per- 
 haps a small matter compared with the strengthening of 
 our armies elsewhere. We only say, General Couch is not 
 to blame. He did everything a brave, earnest and faith- 
 ful officer could do to avert this calamity. 
 
 Many also are under the impression that this place was 
 disloyal, and consequently they have no sympathy with us 
 in our affliction. Nothing does greater injustice to our 
 suffering community than this. No town of its size in 
 Pennsylvania has fewer " sympathizers" with the rebellion 
 than Chambersburg. Its quotas have always been filled 
 by volunteers, and many of its best citizens have fallen 
 on the field of battle. It is false also that any portion of 
 the town was saved by paying a ransom. All preferred 
 to lose everything rather than pay to keep up the accursed 
 cause of the vandals. Even the women, as they looked 
 upon the sea of fire that engulfed their loved homes, 
 said, with tearless eyes, " Well, I am glad the rebels did 
 not get a dollar." Others, when the incendiaries proposed 
 to spare their houses for a price, spurned the offer and told 
 them to burn. Such was and such is the spirit of the in- 
 habitants. The affliction into which they have fallen is 
 so great that, were it the result of their own neglect, com- 
 mon charity should teach others to speak of them kindly. 
 But they do not wish to be excused; they only ask to be 
 judged by the facts in the case. The writer has stated such 
 as he knows to be true, and subscribes his name to them. 
 
 S. J. NlCCOLLS. 
 
BUILDINGS BUENED. 
 
 The following is a correct list of the buildings burned by the 
 rebels in Chambersburg : 
 
 South Side of Market Street. 
 
 Jacob Wolfkill — Two-story frame front and one-story 
 
 brick back building, ^700 
 
 Patrick Campbell's heirs — Two-story brick front and one- 
 story frame back building, ■ . . . . . 700 
 
 Peter McGafEgan — Two-story log front and one-story 
 
 brick back building, ...... 600 
 
 James C. Austin — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, new, ........ 5,000 
 
 R. Austin — Two-story brick front and back building and 
 
 wash-house, ........ 3,000 
 
 William H. McDowell — Two-story stone front and brick 
 
 back building, wash-house, and brick stable, . . 3,000 
 
 James M. Brown — Two-story stone front and brick back 
 
 building, wash-house, and frame stable, . . . 3,300 
 
 Jacob Sellers — Two-story brick front and frame back 
 
 building, brick and frame stables, and ice-house, . • 4,000 
 
 J. W. Douglas — One-story frame front and back building, ' 600 
 
 Martin Brown^-One-and-a-half-story frame front and 
 
 one-story log back building, ..... 1,000 
 
 J. Allison & James C. Eyster — Two-story log front (cased 
 
 with brick) and one-and-a-half-story log back building, 1,000 
 
 Mrs. Jordan — Two-story brick front and back building, 5,000 
 6* 
 
68 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 L. S. Clark — Two-story frame front, two-story back build- 
 ing, and frame stable, $1,200. 
 
 C. M. Duncan — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 frame law office, and frame stable, .... 2,000 
 
 Edmund Culbertson — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, brick law office, and two-story stone barn, . 6,000 
 
 Mrs. Bard — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 two-story brick law office, and row frame law offices, . 6,500 
 
 Gehr & Denny — Three-story brick front and two-story 
 back building, one three-story brick front, and one 
 two-story front building, ...... 5,500 
 
 C. M. Duncan — Three-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, three-story brick arcade, two two-story brick 
 stables, and one two-story frame stable, . . . 15,000 
 
 Aug. Duncan — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 
 
 Henry Monks — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 
 
 Edward Aughinbaugh — Three-story brick front building, 1,500 
 
 Dr. William H. Boyle — Three-story brick front building, 2,000 
 
 Mary Gillan — Three-story brick front building, . . 1,500 
 
 T. J. Wright — Three-story brick front and one-story back 
 
 building, 1,800 
 
 Samuel F. Greenawalt — Two-story brick front and back 
 building, frame wash-house, brick smoke-house, and 
 frame stable, 3,000 
 
 A. H. McCulloh — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, and stone stable, ...... 2,000 
 
 Rev. Mr. Nelson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, frame building, and stone stable, . . . 2,000 
 
 John P. Culbertson — Three two-story brick front, and 
 
 one back building and wash-house, .... 5,000 
 
 Mrs. Riddle — Two-story brick front and back 'building, 
 
 wash-house, and frame stable, . . • . . 3,500 
 
 E. Finfrock — Two-story front and back building, brick 
 
 wash-house, frame wash-house, and frame stable, . ' 2,000 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. 59 
 
 TV. F. Eyster & Bro. — Foundry — Two two-story brick 
 
 front and back buildings and stable/. . , . $4,000 
 
 Kobert E.Tolbert — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing and brick stable, 2,000 
 
 Matthew Gillan's heirs — Two three-story brick fronts and 
 two two-story back buildings, log house, wash-house, 
 and brick stable, 6,000 
 
 Alex. Fritz — Two-story brick front and one-story frame 
 
 and log back building, 1,000 
 
 Mrs. Frederick Smith — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, ' . . . 1,200 
 
 John Burkholder's heirs — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, and log barn, 2,000 
 
 Hunter Robison — Two-story brick front and log back 
 
 building, and log stable, ...... 1,200 
 
 Jacob B. Miller — Two-story brick building, . . . 400 
 
 John Bigley — One-and-a-half-story frame and two one- 
 story log buildings, ....... 500 
 
 Thomas Cook — Two-story log front and two one-story 
 
 frame back buildings, 600 
 
 Nathan Pierce — Two-story log front (roughcast) and two- 
 story brick back building and wash-house, . . 1,000 
 
 Barnet Wolff — Two-story frame building, . . . 600 
 
 J. M. Wolfkill — Two-story brick front and two two-story 
 
 back buildings, 2,500 
 
 Jacob Bhafer — Two-story brick front and one-story brick 
 
 back building and frame shop, .... 1,000 
 
 Richard Woods — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
 half-story log back building and brick wash-house, . 800 
 
 John King — Two-story log and one-story brick buildings, 400 
 
 Christ. Pisle — Two-story brick building, . . . 500 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Stouffer — Two-story brick front and one- 
 story brick back building, 1,800 
 
60 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 Andrew Banker — One-story brick shop, two-story brick 
 
 house, and frame barn, ...... $2,000 
 
 Mrs. Butler — Two-story log building and frame stable, . 400 
 
 Mary Rapp — Two-story log building, . - . . . 400 
 
 James Nill's heirs — Two-story brick front and shed, . 500 
 Josiah Allen — Two-story brick and one-story frame 
 
 building, 1,000 
 
 North Side Market Street. 
 
 C. Stout — Two two-story log buildings and wood-shed, . 800 
 Samuel Brant — Two-story brick building, . . . 800 
 
 j John M. McDowell — Two-story brick front and one-story 
 back building, two-story brick front building, log and 
 frame barn, hog-pen, wagon-maker shop, and black- 
 smith shop, and hay scales, ..... 3,500 
 
 Daniel Trostle — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 and two-story brick barn, ..... 1,500 
 
 Mrs. Radebaugh — Stone and frame barn, . , . 800 
 
 Mrs. Jos. Chambers — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, and brick stable, ..... 5,500 
 
 ; George W. Brewer — Two-story brick front and back 
 "' building, two-story brick office, spring and smoke- 
 house, and brick and stone barn, . . . . 5,500 
 
 Mrs. Jacob Smith — Log stable, ..... 100 
 
 John Miller (innkeeper) — Two-story brick front and 
 back building, two-story brick hotel, wash-house, one 
 brick and two frame stables, brick wagonmaker and 
 blacksmith shops, ....... 8,000 
 
 / John B. Cook — Two-story stone (roughcast) and .two- 
 story frame buildings, bark-house and grinding-mill, 
 bark-shed, and brick stable, ..... 5,000 
 
 y C. W. Eyster — Two three-story brick mills and two- 
 story brick building, ...... 15,000 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. 61 
 
 Lambert & Huber — Four-story stone and frame paper- 
 mill and steam-house, ...... $15,000 
 
 C. W. Eyster — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 and brick stable, 3,000 
 
 S. M. Shillito— Two-story brick building, . . . 1,500 
 
 James King — Two-story brick building, frame shop, and ^' 
 
 shed, 1,200 
 
 Peter Brough — Three-story brick front and one-story back 
 
 building (unfinished), ...... 3,000 
 
 John Noel — Three-story stone front and back building 
 
 and stone stable, ....... 8,000 
 
 Court-house — Three-story brick, 45,000 
 
 Engine-house — Two-story brick, ..... 1,000 
 
 D. 0. Gehr — Two-story brick front and back building, / 
 smoke-house, brick stable, frame wagon-shed, . . 5,500 
 
 B. F. Nead — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 spring and smoke house, brick stable, . . . 5,000 
 
 A. D. Caufman — Three-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, and log stable, ...... 4,000 
 
 Mrs. Goettman — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 two-story log front (roughcast), and brick back build- ' 
 
 ing, bake-house, brick wash-house, brick stable, . 5,500 
 
 PeifFer's heirs — Two-story stone house (old jail), frame 
 smith-shop, two-story frame shop, one-and-a-half-story 
 frame front and one-story brick back building, frame 
 stable, ". . . . . . . . . 2,600 
 
 T. B. Kennedy — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, smoke-house, and wash-house, .... 8,000 
 
 Rev. B. S. Schneck — Two-story stone front and brick 
 
 back building, and wash-house, . • v • • 3,000 
 
 Levi Humelshine — Two-story log front and frame back 
 
 building, and frame shed, ..... 600 
 
 Samuel Etter — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 and frame bake-house, . . - . . . . 3,000 
 
62 THE BURNING OP CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 Rev. N. ScWosser — Two-story log front and frame back 
 
 building, and shed (two families), .... $1,000 
 
 Sebastian Eckert — Two-story stone front and brick back 
 ■building, 1,000 
 
 West Side Main Street to Square. 
 
 Benjamin Chambers — Two-story brick cottage and two- 
 story brick back building, ..... 5,000 
 
 William G. Reed — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, and frame and brick stable, .... 5,000 
 
 Mrs. C. Snyder — Two-story brick front and back building, 3,000 
 
 Allen Smith — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 small frame stable, ....... 1,600 
 
 Christian Flack — Two-story log and weather-boarded 
 front and one-story frame back building, small frame 
 stable, 1,000 
 
 John Schofield — Two-story log weathei'-boarded front and 
 one-story back building, brick shop, and small frame 
 stable, 1,600 
 
 Matthew P. Welsh— Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, brick wash-house, ..... 2,500 
 
 Christian Stouffer (machiaist)^Two-story br-ick front 
 
 and back building, frame stable, .... 3,000 
 
 George Chambers's residence — Two-story brick front and 
 back building, one-story brick smoke-house, two-story 
 stone stable, 7,000 
 
 George Chambers (seminary) — Three-story stone front, 
 and three-story stone and brick back building, smoke- 
 house, . . . , 5,000 
 
 George Chambers (millinery shop) — Two-story brick front 
 
 and back building, . 2,000 
 
 A. J. Miller — Two-story stone front and brick back build- 
 ing, one-story brick back building, wash and smoke- 
 house, 4,500 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. ^6 
 
 James Watson — Two-story brick front and back building, $4,500 
 11. Austin — Two-story brick front and two-story brick 
 
 back building, 2,500 
 
 East Side Main, from Square to King Street. 
 
 Franklin Hall— Three-story brick building, . . . 20,000 
 
 Jacob Hoke & Co. — Two-story brick front, and two-story 
 
 brick back building and frame stable, . . . 5,500 
 
 Dr. Langenheim — Two-story brick front, two-story frame 
 
 back building, and frame stable, .... 3,000 
 Widow Montgomery (hotel) — Three-story brick front and 
 
 two-story brick back building, two-story stone front, 
 
 and two-story brick back building and brick stable, . 9,000 
 Daniel Trostle — Two-story brick and stone front and three 
 
 two-story stone back buildings, lot of sheds and stone 
 
 stable, 7,000 
 
 Susan Chambers — One-story brick shop, two-story house, 
 
 and stone stable, . . . . . . . 2,500 
 
 A. P. Frey — Two-story frame and log front and one-story 
 
 brick back building, two story brick shop, coachmaker- 
 
 shed, and blacksmith shop, and log stable, . . 3,000 
 
 A. S. Hull — Two-story brick front and one-story back 
 
 building and frame wash-house, .... 2,000 
 Mrs. Geo. Goettman — Two-story log (weather-boarded), 
 
 brick back building, and frame shop, . . • 1,200 
 
 West Side Main, from Square to Washington Street. 
 
 Chambersburg Bank — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, smoke and wash-house, stable, . . . 8,000 
 
 Mrs. Gilmore — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 and two frame shops, ...... 5,500 
 
 Jacob B. Miller — Two-story frame front (brick-cased), 
 
 and two-story back, coal-shed, stove-shed, frame stable, 3,000 
 
64 THE BURNING OF CHAMBBRSBURG. 
 
 Dr. Richards — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 smoke-house, stable, ...... ^5,500 
 
 Christian Burkhart — Three-story brick front and back 
 
 building, frame ice-house, stable, .... 4,500 
 
 John M. Cooper — Three-story brick front, three-story 
 brick back, and two-story brick back buildings, stone 
 stable, &c., 15,000 
 
 James L. Black — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, spring-house, stable, 5,000 
 
 Dr. James Hamilton — Three-story brick front and back 
 
 building, and stable, 7,000 
 
 John A. Grove — Frame shop, 250 
 
 Jacob Hutton — Three-story brick front and two two-story 
 
 brick back buildings, wash and smoke-houses, . . 4,500 
 
 John McClintock — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, hatter-shop and smoke-house, .... 3,500 
 
 Lewis Shoemaker — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, store-room, bake-house, and ice-house,. . 4,200 
 
 Samuel Greenawalt — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 buildings, and frame shed, ..... 5,500 
 
 J. Allison Eyster — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
 half-story back building, 5,000 
 
 J. Allison Eyster — Two-story brick front and one-and-a- 
 half story back building, ...... 1,500 
 
 J. Allison Eyster — Three-story brick front and two two- 
 story back buildings, and brick stable, . . . 5,000 
 
 Wm. Heyser's heirs — Two-story brick front and back 
 buildings, brick bake and smoke-house, and brick 
 stable, 5,500 
 
 Rev. S. R. Fisher— Brick stable, 500 
 
 G-eo. Lehner — Log stable, ...... 400 
 
 George Ludwig — Two-story brick front and four two- 
 story and one one-and-a-half-story brick back buildings, 
 frame shed, and one-story brick bake-house, . . 7,000 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. . 65 
 
 Charles F, Miller — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, brick wash-house, ...... $4,500 
 
 Adam Wolff — Two-story frame and brick front and frame 
 
 shed, 1,200 
 
 John Forbes — Two-story log front and one-story brick 
 
 back building, frame wash and smoke-house, . . 2,000 
 
 John Dittman — Two-story brick front and back building, 2,000 
 Joseph Deckelmayer — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, one-story bakery, ..... 3,000 
 Samuel Ott — Two two-story brick front and one two- 
 story brick back building, ..... 4,000 
 B. Radebaugh — One-story frame shop, . . . . 150 
 
 Samuel Ott — One-story frame shop, .... 200 
 B. Radebaugh — Two-story brick front building, . . 600 
 
 East Side Main, from Washington to Sq[uare. 
 
 F. Spahr — Two-story brick front and back building, . 2,500 
 
 Miss Hetrick — Two-story brick front and one-story brick 
 
 back building, 1,500 
 
 John A. Lemaster — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, and frame shed, ..... 1,500 
 
 Aug. Reineman — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ings, 2,500 
 
 Samuel M. Perry — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, 2,000 
 
 David L. Taylor — Two-story log (weather-boarded) front 
 
 and frame back buildings, . . . . , 1,500 
 
 John W. Taylor — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, wash and smoke-house, stable, shed, and hay scales, 7,000 
 
 George Ludwig — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, tin-shop, frame sheds, brick stable, . . . 4,000 
 
 H. H. Hutz — Two-story brick front and back buildings, 
 wash and smoke-house, and brick stable, . . , 6,500 
 
 7 
 
TUB BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 Daniel Reisher — Two-and-a-half-story brick front and 
 two-story back building, frame kitchen, wash, smoke, 
 and bake-house, and stable, ..... 
 
 Michael Kuss — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 wash-house and stone stable, ..... 
 
 Isaac Hutton — Two-story brick front and two-story brick 
 back building, wood and wash-house, back shop, and 
 stone stable, ........ 
 
 John P. Culbertson — One-story frame front and two frame 
 back shops, ........ 
 
 Dr. John Lambert — Two-story brick front and two-story 
 back building, brick stable and carriage house, . 
 
 Mrs. R. Fisher — Two-story brick front building, . 
 
 William Wallace (hotel) — Three-story brick front and 
 three-story back building, and wash-house, 
 
 Daniel Reisher — Two-story brick front and two two-story 
 back buildings and brick stable, .... 
 
 J. Allison Eyster (Nixon's) — Two-story brick front and 
 two two-story back buildings, brick shed, and two- 
 story brick shop, ....... 
 
 James Eyster — Two-story brick front and two-story back 
 building, brick stable, ...... 
 
 Eyster & Bro. — Two-story stone front, brick back build- 
 ing, and one kitchen, ...... 
 
 Eyster & Bro. — Three-story brick front, warehouse, 
 brick stable, ....... 
 
 Brand & Flack — -Two-story stone front and brick back 
 building, brick warehouse, ..... 
 
 A. J. White — Two-story stone front and brick back 
 building and kitchen, ...... 
 
 Hiram White — Three-story brick front, and back build- 
 ing and kitchen, ...'".... 
 
 John Jeffries — Two-story stone front and brick back 
 building, brick wash-house, and frame stable, . 
 
 $4,500 
 2,500 
 
 4,000 
 
 800 
 
 5,590 
 5,000 
 
 9,000 
 
 6,000 
 
 4,500 
 4,500 
 5,500 
 10,000 
 6,500 
 4,500 
 7,500- 
 3,000 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. 67 
 
 A. B. Hamilton — Two-story stone front and frame and 
 
 brick back buildings, frame wash-house, brick stable, $6,000 
 
 Mansion House — Three-story brick front and two-story 
 
 brick back building, and stone stable, . . . 10,000 
 
 Academy — Two-story brick, 4,000 
 
 Queen— South Side. 
 
 John W. Reges — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, and wash-house, 4,000 
 
 William Cunningham — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, wash-house, and granary, .... 3,000 
 
 John Mull — Two-story brick front and back building, . 2,000 
 
 J. T. Hoskinson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, 2,200 
 
 Jacob Flinder — Two-story frame front and one-story back 
 
 building, ........ 800 
 
 Jacob Flinder — Two-story frame front and one-story back 
 
 building and stable, 700 
 
 William Wallace — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, wash-house, and wood-work of spring-house, . 4,000 
 
 Mrs. John Lindsay — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, . 2,500 
 
 Barnard Wolff — Two two-story brick front and back 
 buildings, one-story frame kitchen, wash-house, ware- 
 house, frame butcher-shop, frame carriage-house, one- 
 story brick stable, ....... 7,500 
 
 J. Allison p]yster — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, 2,200 
 
 Mrs. Blood — Two-story brick front and two two-story 
 
 brick back buildings, 1,800 
 
 Mrs. Clark — Two-story brick front and back building, . 1,800 
 
 Mrs. R. Fisher — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, 2,000 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Stevenson — Two two-story brick front and 
 
 one back building, wash and smoke-house, . . 2,000 
 
68 THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBUEa. 
 
 John D. Grier — Two-story brick front and back building, S4,500 
 Mrs. Susan Nixon — Two-story brick front and one-story 
 
 back building, 1,800 
 
 Robert Davis — Two-story brick building, . . . 2,000 
 
 John Cree — Twostory brick front and back building, 
 
 wash and smoke-house, ...... 2,500 
 
 Samuel Myers — Two-story brick front, one two-and-a-half 
 
 and one two-story back building, .... 3,200 
 Mrs. Thompson — Two-story log building, . . . 600 
 
 Mrs. George S. Eyster — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, 2,500 
 
 Andrew Banker — Two-story log front and back building 
 
 (roughcast), and smoke-house, 1,500 
 
 ftneen— North Side. 
 
 Huber & Co. (edge-tool factory) — Five one-story brick 
 
 and one frame building, ...... 3,500 
 
 Brick blacksmith shop, ...... 600 
 
 ^ '^ Bethel" (Church)— Brick, 3,000 
 
 v^ George Ludwig (brewery) — Two-story stone front and 
 back building, two-story brick back building, one-story 
 office and engine-house, frame stable, two-story shed, . 8,000 
 
 Widow Grove (of William) — Two-story frame front and 
 
 back building, brick smoke-house, .... 1,500 
 
 Thomas Carlisle — Two-story brick front building, and 
 
 two-story frame front building, .... 3,000 
 
 Kindline's heirs — Two-story brick front and two-story 
 frame back building, two-story log and brick front and 
 two-story brick back building, ..... 4,000 
 
 Widow Grove (of Alexander) — Two-story frame front 
 
 and one-story back building, smoke-house, frame stable, 1,200 
 
 John Huber — Two-story brick front and back building, 
 
 one-story kitchen, frame stable, .... 3,000 
 
 Abraham Huber — Two-story brick front building and 
 
 brick kitchen, frame stable, ..... 2,000 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. by 
 
 H. Sierer — Two-story frame front and back building, 
 two-story frame wareroom, stone stable, shed, one-story 
 kitchen, adjoining Stevenson's, ..... S3, 000 
 
 Thomas Carlisle — Two-story brick front and two two-story 
 
 back buildings, 2,500 
 
 William Wallace — Three three-story brick front, and 
 three two-story brick back buildings, two one-story 
 frame shops, and two-and-a-half-story brick stable, . 8,000 
 
 Nicholas Snyder — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, two frame wash-houses and frame stable, . . 2,500 
 
 Dr. S. D. (Julbertson — Two-and-a-half-story brick front, 
 and two-story brick back building, brick spring-house, 
 and brick stable, 4,000 
 
 Mrs. Brand — Roof slightly damaged. 
 
 J. P. Culbertson — Two-story brick front and back build- 
 ing, smoke and spring-house and stable, . . . 4,500 
 
 Second Street. 
 P. Henry PeiflPer — New two-story frame stable, . . 1,900 
 
 Associate Reformed Church — One-story brick building, 
 
 with end gallery, . . . - . . . . 3,000 
 
 Benjamin Rhodes — Two-story log front and one-story 
 
 brick back building, ...... 1,200 
 
 J. Allison Eyster — One-story log shop, . . . 100 
 
 Charles Croft — One-and-a-half-story log building and 
 
 frame kitchen, ....... 800 
 
 John P. Keefer — Two-story brick building and frame 
 
 kitchen, 1,500 
 
 John Reasner — One-story log bakery and frame corn- 
 crib, 150 
 
 Jacob S. Brown — Roof and upper floor of front and back 
 
 building, 500 
 
 John Doebler — Two-story brick front and two-story back 
 
 building, 2,000 
 
70 THE BURNING QF CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 Holmes Crawford — Two-story brick front, and two-story 
 
 back building, $3,000 
 
 Sarnuel Armstrong — Two-story brick front and back 
 
 building, kitchen, stable, and frame shed, . . . 4,000 
 
 Aug. Reineman — Two one-story frame shops and black- 
 smith shop, ........ 1,000 
 
 Franklin. 
 
 Martin Cole — Two-story brick front and back, and two- 
 story log buildings, and wash-house, . . . 1,500 
 
 Philip Evans — Two-story brick front and one-story frame 
 
 back building, 1,200 
 
 Wolfstown. 
 Dr. A. H. Senseny — Two one-story log buildings, . . 200 
 
 N. Uglow — Three one-story log buildings, . . . 250 
 
 Water. 
 
 George Kindline — One-and-a-half-story brick wagonmaker 
 
 and blacksmith shop, one brick stable, . . . 800 
 
 Alley. 
 
 Widow Palmer — Frame stable, ..... 150 
 
 Nicholas Grerwick — Frame stable, .... 100 
 
 Henry Greenawalt — Brick stable, .... 300 
 
 King. 
 
 George Chambers — Three two-story brick front and one 
 
 one-story brick back buildings, .... 2,500 
 
 Upton Washabaugh —Two-story frame front and brick 
 back building, stone brewery, brick granary, wagon-shed, 
 two brick stables, and frame shed, .... 8,000 
 
 Conrad Harman — Stone and frame butcher-shop, and 
 
 dwelling, frame stable, ...... 800 
 
 A. K. MeClure— House and barn, .... 9,500 
 
 Jacob Eby— Barn, 2,500 
 
 Andrew McElwaine — House, 400 
 
BUILDINGS BURNED. 71 
 
 Recapitulation. 
 
 The follo\ving is the aggregate of buildings burued : 
 
 Residences and places of business, .... 266 
 
 Barns and stables, ....... 98 
 
 Out-buildings of various kinds, ..... 173 
 
 Total buildings burned, ,...., 537 
 
 The aggregate valuation of the real estate, as made by 
 a committee of upright and disinterested citizens, consist- 
 ing of Messrs. Wm. McLellan, C. M. Burnet, Rev. Joseph 
 Clark, D. K. Wunderlich, and John Armstrong, is $783,- 
 950. We are unable this week to give a full account of 
 the loss of personal property, hut it will greatly exceed 
 the real estate." 
 
 In regard to the estimates, I will merely add that they are 
 low — generally speaking, very low. I say this, not because 
 I find any fault with the judicious committee of gentlemen 
 who made those estimates — I rather commend them for 
 their course — but for the purpose simply of mentioning the 
 fact, that the actual loss was really much greater than the 
 figures indicate. Thus, for instance, the Court-house is 
 put down at |45,000, whereas, an experienced builder has 
 stated to me, it could not be rebuilt for less than $80,000. 
 The Mansion House (the printing and publishing house 
 of the German Reformed Church), with a stone livery 
 stable, are put down at $10,000, whereas, $15,000 would 
 not replace them as they were. Colonel McClure's large 
 and beautiful residence, with his spacious model barn, are 
 put down at $9500, but they could not now be restored 
 for less than $20,000. And so with most of the buildings. 
 A million of dollars will not suffice to restore them, and 
 
72 THE BURNING OP CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 twice as much more will not cover the losses of such per- 
 sonal property as money can replace. 
 
 In conclusion, permit me to add, that if our border is 
 protected hereafter, and some reasonable assurance is given 
 to our people that incursions by the enemy will be ren- 
 dered impossible, our town will he rebuilt, gradually, but 
 surely. If, however, no such assurance is given, no evi- 
 dence of a desire on the part of our authorities for border 
 defence is afforded, if our people are coolly told that the 
 Cumberland Valley is intended to be " a trap in which to 
 catch the rebels, and which must therefore be left open," 
 then, alas ! there will be no heart to remain and rebuild 
 the town ; but, imitating many of our disheartened farmers, 
 our citizens will leave, regretfully indeed, but rather than 
 be in constant dread and apprehension, leave they will, 
 and allow the ruins of their houses and hearths to remain 
 behind them, and seek out some more sheltered or seques- 
 tered spot, where they may live and die in " quietness and 
 in peace." 
 
 F IJN- 1 s.