This battle was fought during a time in which telegraphs facilitated communication. But there was no social media to provide minute-by-minute reports of what was happening. People and even the military relied instead on newspapers. The Potter Journal published on July 1 included a one-week old story that warned the rebels were coming, but no one was sure exactly where. Readers were told, "Everything is quiet in the neighborhood of Gettysburg ... ." Lee had split his corps and was shielding his movement along the South Mountain. Today, the battered but unbowed Army of the Potomac would again face the Army of Northern Virginia. But this time it would be on their soil and on ground of their own choosing.
WASHINGTON, June 24,1863. — All is quiet in our front today. Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock show that there is no Rebel force on this side above Kelly's Ford. We hold all the gaps of the Bull Run range.
Four wagons containing ammunition, etc, were captured and destroyed by some of Moseby'a partisans, yesterday, near Cub Run, on the Chantilly road, and several of them have been captured.
The Rebels are within 25 miles of Harrisburg. The enemy's column halted about dusk about eight miles the other side of Carlisle and went into camp. The authorities are in telegraphic communication with Greysaer's Station, two miles from the Rebel pickets. Their line tonight is very strong.
The result of tomorrow is looked for ward to with much anxiety. Gen. Knipe may give the enemy battle at Carlisle, or can fall back to the Susquehanna. A battle will undoubtedly be fought or the place evacuated before tomorrow.
Gen. Couch has thrown a strong column in the neighborhood of Gettysburg - on the enemy's right flank. This, in connection with certain movements by the Army of the Potomac in their rear, will make it a dangerous experiment for them to hold the line of the Susquehanna.
Numerous arrests have been made today on the south side of the river of parties suspected of being Rebel spies and guerrillas, but on the cases being investigated, most of them proved refugees.
The clerks and attaches of the State capital today organized themselves into a company for the defense of the city. The works on the opposite side of the river have been completed, and guns have been mounted.
The Philadelphia Grey Reserves, 1000 strong, are still here, but refuse to be, mustered in. Their conduct is severely commented on by the other troops.
Gen. Andrew Porter arrived here today, and tendered his services to the authorities.
Everything is quiet in the neighborhood of Gettysburg and Hanover Junction. Great activity is being displayed in that quarter to prevent any demonstration o the line of the Northern Central Railroad.
A Rebel operator at 10 o'clock tonight attacked the wires at McConnellsburg, and opened communication with Pittsburgh. He told a long story about Jenkins, and what he intended doing. No reliance is placed inoit.
It is reported here and believed that Gen. Milroy has been relieved of his command.
It is known here to a certainty that, 20 regiments of Rebel infantry passed through Chambersburg today. They were moving towards Harrisburg, and are undoubtedly Gen. Ewell's corps (late Stonewall Jackson's). Importaut events are likely to transpire tomorrow.
Later and trustworthy accounts from Frederick all state that there are no rebels near there, and that the force in the Valley beyond South Mountain has made no movement in this direction. There are no regiments east of Boonsboro, which is four miles west of' South Mountain.
Information at headquarters goes on to confirm the previous accounts of a very heavy force being in the Valley west of Boonsboro. They wore moving northward, but it is not ascertained whether they were taking the Chambersburg road or the road leading toward Gettysburg. The artillery accompanying the body of Rebels is said to number 69 pieces.
Some of the students of St. James College, near Hagerstown, arrived at Baltimore this evening, who passed through the rebel lines yesterday. The accounts given by them agree as to the force being large, and as to the number of cannon One student estimated the column he saw at 5,000 strong.
Gens. Lee and Longstreet were both at Winchester on Friday last with 100,000 men. They intended to cross the Potomac in two days.
Large Rebel trains, wagons, provisions, tents, etc., were moving North through Hagerstown, Martinsburg and Boonsbore on Sunday last.
Geu. Rhodes' Rebel division, 10,000 strong, left Hagerstown on Tuesday for Chambersburg. Gen. Jobnson's Rebel division 12,000 strong with 13 pieces of artillery, had crossed at Shepherdstown.
4 comments:
Some people today do not realize that the first day of the battle near Gettysburg was attended by numerous non-combatants. They borough picnic baskets and other sundries to watch it all unfold. It was initially attended like a common sporting event would be today. Many Civil war battles had spectators.
They do not realize it bc your statement is false. That was true at First Manassas, but not Gettysburg.
A friend lived at edge of battlefield. Heard the soldiers daily. Solemn place to visit. Great history information
Didn't know you were interested in Civil War history. Me, too. Being a Southern girl, my heart belongs to General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and I often wonder what kind of a bloodbath would have occurred if he and Sherman had ever faced each other. Total Warfare was the strategy of both. Gettysburg to me was a series of poorly communicated goals on the part of the south with even poorer execution. A lot of unnecessary death.
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