Confederate soldiers ford the Potomac River on June 11-12.
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The Southern Defender |
| Sandy Bottom, Virginia - June 27, 1863 |
GENERAL LEE IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Confederate soldiers ford the Potomac River on June 11-12. |
UNION PROCLAMATION CALLS FOR
FIFTY THOUSAND MILITIA
OUR ARMY IN PENNSYLVANIA EWELL IN VALLEY WITH LONGSTREET TO SOON FOLLOW
Hagerstown, MD- General Lee, with his whole army, has rapidly advanced from Winchester towards Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, and to Williamsport, MD over the route cleared for him by the advance of General Ewell's Corps after the brilliant victory at Winchester last week. We hear today that General Lee has crossed the Potomac River with his troops at Shepherdstown and at Williamsport and is now across the Pennsylvania border to threaten Harrisburg and the Union line along the Susquehanna River. In the North there is much speculation as to the general's intentions and officials in Richmond are quiet as to the final objectives of the army. It is curious that General Lee did not march northward on a shorter route to cross the Potomac at Edward's Ferry and march into Frederick before threatening Washington, but as we remember last year's campaign that resulted in the Battle of Antietam, the general did not use the cover afforded him by the Bull Run Mountains, the Catoctin Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains. General Richard Ewell's troops have cleared the mountain passes and yesterday marched through the small town of Gettysburg in Adams County, said to be a crossroads town for this section of Pennsylvania. General Jubal Early of Virginia led the advance and has been gathering numerous stores and supplies from Federal depots and warehouses that he has encountered. Reports of small skirmishes with Pennsylvania militia have caused some concern, but no large troop concentrations have appeared to oppose the army's advance. Some of General Early's escort encountered several militia soldiers in Gettysburg and chased them out of town, shooting one of them from the saddle. Last evening, General Early's troops marched on toward York, from which scouts have already seen white flags of surrender. |
CAVALRY FORCES SET TO RIDE INTO MARYLAND NO WORD YET FROM THE GALLANT STUART Hagerstown- General JEB Stuart has ridden away from the army and speculation is that he is attempting to ride around the Yankee army that is concentrated around Centreville. A captured Yankee cavalryman reports that Stuart's gallant horsemen have ridden into and around the Union rear and may be making a raid on Alexandria, Fairfax Court House, or Washington itself. Though General Stuart has not reported to headquarters, a confident General Lee has not outwardly stated any expression of concern. In the mean time, it has been learned that Federal authorities in Washington and Alexandria have been notified of Confederate troopers cutting lines of communications and destroying Federal property near Annondale and Fairfax Station south of Fairfax Court House. Though not wishing to cause alarm, Union troops have doubled their sentries around Alexandria and in forts surrounding Washington. Little has been said on the subject by the Yankee president. THE VICKSBURG SITUATION from a Mississippian living near the city- "All eyes are now eagerly turned toward Vicksburg and the booming of the great guns along the river. Tremendous firing has been heard there for the last two days and intelligence as to the result of it is looked for with intense anxiety. Our people, however, have the most perfect confidence in the valor and endurance of the brave garrison. The gratitude of a nation will be theirs and they will hold out. We are confident that the city and its defenders are invincible. A few more repulses of the enemy- the loss of a few more of his tens of thousands, and Vicksburg will rise from the ordeal, nobly defiant and wreathed in perennial glory." General John Pemberton has been holding off repeated Union attacks for the past three weeks. |
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DR. LIPPITT'S JOURNAL A DOCTOR WITH THE 57th VA INFANTRY Near Fredericksburg, VA- Surgeon Charles Lippitt of the 57th Virginia Infantry, Gen. Armistead's Brigade of General Pickett's Division, has kindly lent "The Defender" his personal journal that he has kept for many months. We offer the readers these passages that he recently wrote while the army has moved into Maryland and Pennsylvania. June 25 - Marched about 21 miles. CURIOUS CITIZENS WATCH SOLDIERS PASS Of interest has been the reaction of the populace north of the Potomac River, upon seeing columns of our victorious troops on their town roads. Captain D.U. Barziza of the 4th Texas Volunteer Infantry, assigned to General Robertson's Brigade, sent this item to the "Defender": "Today is June 27, the anniversary of the battle of Gaines Mill and we have still further penetrated the enemy country. Our line of march resumed at noon and passed Greencastle & on through Chambersburg 11 miles distance, in all 15 miles; a hard travel for a half day over pikes & roads. At the latter place, a particularly large crowd, principally ladies, assembled on the streets to see the rebel soldiers. No demonstrations or hostile intent was displayed, only made a silent stare that seemed to rest upon every country man. We are two mile north from town on the bank of a clear stream." Private J. B. Clifton of the 53rd Georgia also had a brief experience with the civilians in that town. "Marched through Chambersburg to day, and went onto camp near a little creek about 2 miles beyond the city. Chambersburg is quite a city. The people all look very sour at us as we passed through. A great many sharp things were said to them by the troops who seemed in a fine humor, and only said what they did to annoy the already much disgusted Dutch crowd including a woman. But the Dutch-Woman seemed to 'take on' at a considerable rate, and quite to the amusement of our Soldiers who seemed delighted at the idea of being able to get on Yankee-soil, and harassed the 'Yanks' very much by referring to the late defeats which their army had met with in Va." A CASE OF SORE FEET The hard days of marching are difficult on many of our soldiers as George Washington Hall of the 14th Georgia reports: "At daybreak this morning we were up and passed through Hagerstown Md, which is a nice place and proceeded on at a rapid march so as to be able to overtake the division. At about 10 A.M. we crossed a small river and landed on the Pennsylvania shore. We passed through Waynesboro and 3 more towns in Pennsylvania that I did not learn the name of. Late in the evening we camped. My feet was so sore I could hardly put them to the ground!" |
LETTERS FROM THE ARMY A letter from T.M. Gorman, 2nd North Carolina Infantry, was submitted by his friend. Gorman writes: Camp 2nd Infantry, Ramseur's Brigade Friend Holden: June 15- We took the road to Williamsport, Md., and crossed this Rubicon in the evening of the day, going into camp near the above-mentioned place, where we remained until the 17th. Our passage through Maryland was so peaceful and as quite as a Quaker could desire. Not a gun had been fired by us. On the 17th, we left Williamsport and after passing through Hagerstown, encamped in its vicinity until yesterday morning, when we set our in this direction, passing through Middleburg, and encamped, north of the Mason and Dixon line, in old Abe's possessions this day, awaiting the other two divisions of our army corps. Where we are going, or what is our General's intentions, I cannot even guess. Since we left Virginia, all news is contraband, and we have not the slightest idea what is going on outside of our own regiment. We are very anxious to know where Longstreet and Hill are, what they are doing, and to know how the siege of Vicksburg is progressing. Jenkins' cavalry has been as far as the Susquehanna bridge near Harrisburg and I suspect we have stirred up the quiet denizens of Eastern Lincolndom immeasurably by our occupation of their domain. That we cannot remain long without fighting is evident. We are doubtless on the eve of the most important and decisive period of the war. The troops of our corps are in good spirits, in fine condition, and as confident as when old Jackson infused his own ardor. Trusting in the justice of our cause, in the wisdom of our leaders, and the help of the omnipotent guidance of our leaders we calmly await the issue and whatever fate befalls us individually. We have abiding faith that victory and triumph awards us in the end. Our orders are very strict here. Nothing is wantonly destroyed, no private seizures are allowed, and nothing taken without due orders and authority. Large numbers of horses and cattle, and much bacon and flour have been seized, as well as dry goods by our authorities, but even in these cases receipts are given that they may recover damages after peace is made, if such terms are agreed on. I feel sometimes, when I think how our country has been mutilated that revenge should be applied, but, in the language of our soldiery, 'Our Generals know best.' your friend, LEE'S ARMY IN YANKEEDOM The army has moved rapidly through the Shenandoah Valley and into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Our best reports have given us this itinerary of the army, released just yesterday! |
WHERE OUR BOYS ARE IN THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Due to the request of many of our subscribers, we are providing this list of your relatives and where they are currently located with their regiments. We wish them all safety and good health in the coming months!
(Remember that your soldier biographies can be found in the PRE-BROADCAST ACTIVITIES)
Major General James E. B. "Jeb" Stuart, commanding Cavalry Division - June 19, near Middleburg engaged in fighting with Union cavalry; June 20, near Middleburg; June 21, engaged with Union cavalry at Upperville, VA.; June 22, near Upperville; June 23, marched to location near Rector's Cross Road; June 24, marched to Salem Depot, VA.; June 25, marched to Hay Market, VA.
Major General John B. Hood, commanding division, Longstreet's Corps - June 19, marched to Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge, crossed Shenandoah River and camped; June 20, re-crossed the Shenandoah to east bank and camped; June 21, remained in camp near Snicker's Ford on the Shenandoah; June 22, marched to Millwood, VA.; June 23, camped at Millwood; June 24, marched to Bunker Hill, VA.; June 25, marched to Falling Waters, VA., on the Potomac River.
Brigadier General Joseph J. Pettigrew, commanding brigade, Heth's Division, Hill's Corps - June 19, marched to Chester Gap; June 20, marched through Front Royal and crossed Shenandoah River and camped; June 21, marched to Berryville, VA.; June 22, rested near Berryville; June 23, marched through Berryville and halted south of Charleston, VA.; June 24, crossed the Potomac River into Maryland near Shepherdstown, VA.; June 25, marched to Sharpsburg and camped on the site of the Battle of Sharpsburg.
Major Edward Croft, 14th South Carolina Infantry - June 19, marched to Chester Gap, in the Shenandoah; June 20, marched through Front Royal, VA., and forded the Shenandoah River; June 21, marched through White Post, VA.; and halted several miles north of this village; June 22, marched through Berryville and halted on the road to Smithfield, VA.; June 23, marched to Smithfield; June 24, marched to within 5 miles of Shepherdstown; June 25, forded the Potomac near Shepherdstown and entered Maryland. Marched to within 8 miles of Hagerstown and halted.
Lieutenant William Cannon, 9th Alabama Infantry - June 19, marched over Blue Ridge Mountains, passed through Front Royal and crossed Shenandoah River; June 20, marched through White Post, VA., and halted two miles beyond; June 21, marched to Berryville, VA.; June 22, marched to Roper's Farm, on the road to Charleston, VA.; June 23, marched to Shepherdstown, VA.; June 24, crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown and marched to Boonsborough, MD.; June 25, marched to Hagerstown, MD.
Isaac Reed, 7th Georgia Infantry - June 19, marched to Snicker's Gap in the Blue Ridge, crossed Shenandoah River and camped; June 20, re-crossed the Shenandoah to east bank and camped; June 21, remained in camp near Snicker's Ford on the Shenandoah; June 22, marched to Millwood, Va.; June 23, camped at Millwood; June 24, marched to Bunker Hill, VA.; June 25, marched to Falling Waters, VA., on the Potomac River.
Corporal James Meredith, 3rd Virginia Cavalry - June 19, moved from Union (Unison) VA to picket near Snickersville, VA.; June 20, remain near Snickersville; June 21, engaged in skirmish at Upperville; June 23, ride to camp near Rector's Cross Roads; June 24, ride to Salem's Depot; June 25, ride to Haymarket; June 26, ride through Buckland, through Brenstville, and then to Wolf Run Shoals on the Occoquan River.
Lucas Meredith, 3rd Virginia Infantry - June 19, marched to camp near Snicker's Gap; June 20, remained near Snicker's Gap; June 21, marched to camp near Berryville, VA.; June 22-23, in camp near Berryville; June 24, marched from Berryville to Darkesville; June 25, marched from Darkesville to Williamsport, MD, where they crossed the Potomac River and camped 4 miles from Hagerstown; June 26, marched through Hagerstown to Greencastle, PA.
John Knott, 6th North Carolina Infantry - June 19, marched to Millwood and Berryville; June 20, marched to camp south of Charlestown, VA; June 21, remained in camp; June 22, marched to Shepherdstown and crossed the Potomac River, continued through Sharpsburg, MD and camped on the Hagerstown Road three miles away from Boonsborough; June 23, marched from Boonsborough via Cavetown, Smithsburg and Ridgeville to Waynesborough, PA.; June 24, marched from Waynesborough through Quincy, Altondale (Mont Alto), and to Greenwood near Fayetteville; June 25, rested near Greenwood; June 26, marched toward Mummasburg through Cashtown, PA.
Sergeant Samuel Holland, 9th Virginia Infantry - June 19, marched to camp near Snicker's Gap; June 20, remained near Snicker's Gap; June 21, marched to camp near Berryville, VA.; June 22-23, in camp near Berryville; June 24, marched from Berryville to Darkesville; June 25, marched from Darkesville to Williamsport, MD, where they crossed the Potomac River and camped 4 miles from Hagerstown; June 26, marched through Hagerstown to Greencastle, PA.
Private John Howard Roberts, 5th Texas Infantry - June 11-12, in camp at Culpeper; June 13, marched 3 miles southwest of Culpeper; June 14, remained in camp; June 15, marched back to Culpeper, then northwest to Little Washington, VA; June 16, marched 25 miles north to Marcum Station on the Manassas Gap Railroad, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains; June 17, marched to Upperville, VA; June 18, crossed Blue Ridge at Ashby's Gap, continued to Snicker's Ford on the Shenandoah River, which was crossed. The division halted on the west bank of the river; June 19, moved to Snicker's Gap; June 20, recrossed the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ford; June 21, in camp near Snicker's Gap; June 22, marched from Snicker's Gap, forded the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ford, and then marched on to Millwood; June 23, camped near Millwood then march in the evening toward Berryville; June 24, arrive at Bunker hill; June 25, march to Falling Waters on the Potomac River and camp; June 26, march to Williamsport, MD and cross the Potomac River. After a short rest, they continue to march through Hagerstown and on to Greencastle, PA.
William Mays, Parker's Virginia Battery - June 19, marched to camp near Snicker's Gap; June 20, remained near Snicker's Gap; June 21, marched to camp near Berryville, VA.; June 22-23, in camp near Berryville; June 24, marched from Berryville to Darkesville; June 25, marched from Darkesville to Williamsport, MD where they crossed the Potomac River and camped 5 miles from Hagerstown, MD; June 26, marched through Hagerstown to Greencastle, PA.
Captain Isaac Stamps, 21st Mississippi Infantry - June 19, marched from camp near Piedmont to Ashby's Gap through the Blue Ridge Mountains; June 20, marched to Berry's Ford and crossed the Shenandoah River; June 21, re-crossed the Shenandoah River and formed a line of battle near Paris, VA.; June 22, remained in battle line near Paris; June 23, moved to Ashby's Gap; June 24, marched back across the Shenandoah River at Berry's Ford and on to Summit Point; June 25, marched to Martinsburg; June 26, marched to Williamsport, MD and crossed the Potomac River.
Sergeant William Hutchenson, Phillip's Legion Infantry - June 19, marched from camp near Piedmont to Ashby's Gap through the Blue Ridge Mountains; June 20, marched to Berry's Ford and crossed the Shenandoah River; June 21, re-crossed the Shenandoah River and formed a line of battle near Paris, VA.; June 22, remained in battle line near Paris; June 23, moved to Ashby's Gap; June 24, marched back across the Shenandoah River at Berry's Ford and on to Summit Point; June 25, marched to Martinsburg; June 26, marched to Williamsport, MD and crossed the Potomac River.
Lieutenant William Harris, 45th North Carolina Infantry - June 19, marched to Hagerstown and camped outside the town; June 20-21, camped near Hagerstown; June 22, marched to Greencastle, PA; June 23, camped near Greencastle; June 24, marched from Greencastle up the Valley Pike to Chambersburg and camped on the Conococheague Creek; June 25, marched from Chambersburg toward Carlisle; June 26, marched toward Carlisle and camped on a large farm 6 miles south of Carlisle.
William Fletcher, 5th Texas Infantry - June 19, moved to Snicker's Gap; June 20, recrossed the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ford; June 21, in camp near Snicker's Gap; June 22, marched from Snicker's Gap, forded the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Ford, and then marched on to Millwood; June 23, camped near Millwood then march in the evening toward Berryville; June 24, arrive at Bunker hill; June 25, march to Falling Waters on the Potomac River and camp; June 26, marched to Williamsport, MD and crossed the Potomac River. After a short rest, they continue to march through Hagerstown and on to Greencastle, PA.
Private James Melvin Pittard, 14th Alabama Infantry- June 19, marched over Blue Ridge Mountains, passed through Front Royal and crossed Shenandoah River; June 20, marched through White Post, VA., and halted two miles beyond; June 21, marched to Berryville, VA.; June 22, marched to Roper's Farm, on the road to Charleston, VA.; June 23, marched to Shepherdstown, VA.; June 24, crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown and marched to Boonsborough, MD.; June 25, marched to Hagerstown, MD.
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QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: Because there was a shortage of horses in the South, Lee's artillerymen were forced to use only four horses to drive each caisson, and four to pull each limber and cannon in a battery. There were two drivers for each team. Considering that the average Confederate Battery consisted of four cannon, how many horses and drivers were required for the guns of one battery? STUDENTS! Check back for future issues of The Southern Defender. Also look for the Gettysburg Star and Sentinel to find out what is happening in Adams County, Pennsylvania. See you then! |
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