The Yankee Gazette

Westietown, PA

June 19, 1863

THE REBEL INVASION!

REBEL FORCES IN MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA

CONFEDERATES MARCH UP SHENANDOAH VALLEY!

MILROY EVACUATES WINCHESTER

HARRISBURG IN IMMINENT DANGER

near Manassas, VA- Our army correspondents report that the rebel army under General Lee has indeed marched into the Shenandoah Valley and attacked General Milroy's 10,000 man Union force at Winchester. On Friday June 12, it was ascertained that a large body of Confederates were moving up the Shenandoah Valley on the Strasburg Pike. Gen. Milroy's pickets a few miles from Winchester, encountered them on Saturday morning, and found that they were members of "Stonewall" Jackson's old corps now commanded by General Richard Ewell.

Gen. Ewell

A general engagement took place between Milroy's forces at and near Winchester and the Confederates who were repulsed, losing a number of prisoners and a severe loss in killed and wounded. From the captured prisoners it was found that the attacking force was of General Ewell's Corps estimated to be at 18,000 men. The battle was renewed on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday. Gen. Milroy, outnumbered almost three to one, was forced to retreat early that day and fight his way out.

from Martinsburg- A body of Confederates believed to be about 5,000 strong, passed through Winchester and made their appearance at Martinsburg yesterday. The townspeople are using great caution in the protection of personal property. Meanwhile a group of 2,500 Confederates crossed the Potomac River and have raided Chambersburg, alarming officials in Harrisburg and other cities in the area.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad have succeeded in saving all of their cars and engines. The freight and passenger business between here and the west will be suspended due to the emergency, but service between Harper's Ferry and point east will continue.

HOOKER'S ARMY

UNION FORCES AT OLD BULL RUN BATTLEFIELD

CAVALRY HAS TAKEN REB PRISONERS

Near Manassas, Virginia- The grand Army of the Potomac is now on the old Bull Run battlefield. The Third Corps arrived at Manassas Junction on Monday morning and the First and Eleventh Corps are at Centreville. Major General Hooker and his headquarters are on their way to this point and by tomorrow night the army will be concentrated here. Our cavalry commands have been on the outskirts of the army and performed invaluable service as scouts, gaining information of the enemy movements and blocking the enemy's advance as they can.

The march has been a punishing one on man and horse as Daniel Townsend of Battery E, 1st U.S. Horse Artillery relates: "We left in the afternoon of June 11, and proceeded toward Warrenton Junction which we reached on the afternoon of the second day's march. There we remained a day while the main body of the army was moving toward Manassas. By dark on the following day (June 14) the army had passed. Boots & saddle was then blown. We harnessed and saddled up and in ten minutes were ready for the road. With battery A of the 2nd United States Artillery and Kilpatrick's brigade of cavalry, we formed the rear guard of the army and moved after the column which was now out of sight. The dust was so thick that the man in front of me I could just see and that was all. Our clothes were grey and our eyes were nearly blinded with it. It put me in the mind of some Arabs crossing the desert in a sand storm that I had seen in some picture book. It was the hardest night's march that we had experienced so far. A good shower of rain would have been more preferable."

The army has moved rapidly from their camps near Falmouth and the itinerary of the army was recently released by the War Department. General Hooker will most likely hold his army at Manassas before moving again.

BATTLE OF WINCHESTER

DESPERATE BATTLE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

MILROY FIGHTS HIS WAY OUT OF TRAP

Winchester, VA- General Milroy's Union army at Winchester faced a terrible situation this past weekend when Confederates under General Richard Ewell, a former officer under "Stonewall" Jackson, arrived south of the city and immediately opened fire upon the city's defenses. This force of Confederates, it turns out, is the advance of General Lee's Confederate army that has marched from their camps at Culpeper and Fredericksburg and into the Shenandoah Valley.

After a desperate fight, Milroy cut his way through and united with our forces at Harper's Ferry. A reporter in that town writes that the battle was very desperate and we repulsed the rebels repeatedly with heavy loss, but finally they were reinforced and Gen. Milroy made his arrangements to abandon Winchester, finding that the rebels were endeavoring to close around him from three sides. He lost considerably- 2,000 in killed, wounded and captured. The escape from the area was said to be orderly and well mannered despite the closure of Confederate forces from several directions.

HARPER'S FERRY EVACUATED

from the NY Herald- "I learn from an unknown source that our forces have evacuated Harper's Ferry, and that we hold Maryland Heights, which are strongly fortified and capable of standing out a siege laid against it."

CAVALRY BATTLE NEAR MIDDLEBURG

SKIRMISH AT ALDIE, VA

REBS SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES

from a New York Times correspondent- Union cavalry under General Pleasonton has experienced several brushes with Stuart's Confederate cavalry while attempting to force passage through the Bull Run Mountains west of Manassas. On June 17, scouts clashed with Confederate pickets at Aldie, VA. The following day, the Union forces rode toward Middleburg where southerners fought off several repeated attacks and Pleasonton was forced to retire without the satisfaction of driving the rebels from their hold on the town. Our losses were heavy in several New York regiments, but it is believed that a heavier loss was inflicted on the Confederates.

Pvt. John Follmer, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry was at the scene of the battle near Middleburg: "June 18 - Our regiment was warmly engaged today. Fighting at times was sharp. The enemy took advantage of the numerous stone fences, using them as breast works, making stubborn resistance behind them. When driven from one position they would halt at the next fence and fight again."

The army command believes that Stuart has blocked the passes into the Shenandoah to screen Lee's movement northward toward the Potomac River and Harper's Ferry. The recent battle near Winchester has proven that the Confederates have invaded the valley in great numbers.

GOV. CURTIN & HIS PRESENT ACTION

NEWS FROM HARRISBURG

Gov. Curtin

Harrisburg- "I called upon the Governor this morning at seven o'clock and found him at the Executive chamber looking wearied and disappointed. He is resigned to the fate that awaits the capital of the glorious old Commonwealth of which he is the executive. He has done everything in his power to avert the dreaded blow. He has pleaded with the War Department to no avail and repeatedly warned the cabinet of what might be expected. It is well to state that the raiders are in such close proximity that he bears courageously and manfully and not desert his post. Most of the stores in the city are closed, the markets deserted and private residences abandoned. The people are standing in knots, conversing upon the probable fate in store for them. Much speculation exists but very little excitement."

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY

More letters have arrived at the YANKEE GAZETTE and are printed here for your information:

A letter from Lieutenant Henry P. Clare, 83rd New York Infantry to his brother William:

Centreville, VA
June 16, 1863

My dear William-

I received your letter about the time we had orders to move, consequently was not able to write you - On the morning of the 12th the whole Army took up the line of March, marching on the average 20 miles a day in order to be ahead of Lee who was making all possible haste for Alexandria. We learn from valuable information received from deserter - formerly a friend of our Division Gen'l - that Lee intends to march his Army into Md and Penna - - We are to follow them rumor says - - to 'bag their whole Army' but fear the bag is so old that by this time it has many holes in it.
If Lee gets into Md the chances are that that bag will change hands - - What think you?
A report has just come in that the enemy are in large force in our front his pickets being very bold. I should not wonder at all if we should have to fall back to Washington rough pretty near there now - Lee knows our weakness & consider this his golden opportunity.
I have suffered very much from horseback riding so that all my bones ache. I dread the idea of renewing it. How I long for a return of peace when we can sit around the social table forgetting the life of the last two years.

With fond love to all,
I am your affectionate brother,
Henry P. Clare

THE MARCH IN VIRGINIA

A SOLDIER FROM THE 17TH MAINE WRITES TO THE GAZETTE

Pvt. John Haley of the 17th Maine Infantry submitted his journal of the recent march northward in Virginia:

June 11th
As soon as we had eaten our frugal breakfast, we found ourselves ready and awaiting the final order to go. It was not until about 2 o'clock that the bugles blew the "general" for pack-up, and by 4 p.m. we were on the road, travelling north. Supposing Lee to be still occupying the line of the Rappahannock or Rapidan, we assume we are en route to Washington or the upper fords of the Rappahannock for the purpose of turning Lee's flank. The column marched about fifteen miles on the Warrenton Road and halted for the night.
Myself and another, who were not equal to this amount of exertion decided to take shelter at Hartwood Church, a small brick structure. On entering we were struck with a number of texts and embellishments executed in charcoal on the walls. The seats have been torn out, the windows and doors smashed, and the walls covered with obscene characters and writings. A body of Union cavalry did this dastardly desecration in the house of worship - a sufficient commentary on the characters of these dirty caricatures of patriots. No matter if it is a Rebel house of worship, its character should be a protection against vandalism. Such treatment of churches is a disgrace to the much-boated civilization of the nineteenth century.

June 15th
The march began about 7 a.m. The air was almost suffocating, and as we advanced and our canteens became empty, matters assumed a serious turn. The dust in the road was scalding and, as one person remarked, "was thirty feet deep." The soil of Virginia was sucked into our throats, sniffed into our nostrils, and flew into our eyes and ears until our most intimate friends would not have recognized us.
On no other march have we suffered so with thirst and heat. It was but a short time after the water gave out that the effects of the march and heat began to be apparent. Men fell by the roadside to die from sunstroke, but notwithstanding the fact that more than a hundred had fallen out and others were on the verge of it, no halt was made until 10 o'clock, and then we hauled up in an open space where not so much a mullein stalk was visible. The only suggestion of water might be at a couple of houses a mile off. My tongue was now an "unruly member" and "vaunted itself and was puffed up." It required more room than I had for it. Consequently, I lolled and could only perform respiration through my nose.
Water must be had. We made a wild scramble for the house and found a well, but there was such as rush that the bucket collapsed and smashed into pieces far below our reach. Just at this moment the bugle blew and we could tarry no longer. Our hearts sank at the sound. As we were about to start from the house, I spied an old barrel at one corner of it. The barrel was about one-third full of something resembling ale in color and protected by a scum an inch deep. Into this my dipper was plunged and twice emptied without stopping to taste or smell. This horrible substitute for water was much like the turtle soup of the Scotchman, "it would 'na stay doon." I was soon relieved of the mess, but not before my internal department was fearfully demoralized.

WHERE OUR BOYS ARE IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC

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 John F. Reynolds - June 11, with his command at headquarters near White Oak Church, VA.; June 12, marched to Deep Run west of Falmouth, VA.; June 13, marched to Bealeton between Falmouth and Warrenton; June 14, marched to Manassas Junction; June 15-16, Resting at Manassas Junction; June 17, marched to Herndon Station, VA.; June 18, remained near Herndon.

Brigadier General Henry Hunt - June 11-12, at Army Headquarters, Falmouth, VA.; June 13, marched to Stafford Court House; June 14, marched to Wolf Run Shoals; June 15, marched to Fairfax Court House; June 16-18, remained at Fairfax Court House.

Colonel Patrick O'Rorke, 140th New York Infantry - June 11, with his regiment guarding United States Ford on the Rappahannock River north of Chancellorsville; June 13, marched to camp near Morrisville, VA.; June 14, marched to Catlett's Station south of Warrenton; June 15, marched through Bristoe Station to Manassas Junction; June 16, resting at Manassas Junction; June 17, marched to Gum Springs, VA.;

Major Edwin B. Wight, 24th Michigan Infantry - June 11, in camp at White Oak Church, VA.; June 12, marched to Deep Run, VA.; June 13, marched to Bealeton, between Falmouth and Warrenton, VA.; June 14, marched to Centreville, VA.; June 15-16, resting at Centreville; June 17, marched to Herndon Station, VA.; June 18, resting at Herndon Station.

Sergeant Ezra Brown, 4th Michigan Infantry - June 11-12, in camp and on picket duty near Banks Ford, Rappahannock River; June 13, marched via Grove Church to a camp near Morrisville, VA.; June 14, marched to Morrisville; June 15-16, marched through Bristoe Station to Manassas Junction; June 17, marched to Gum Springs, VA.

Oren Lord, 17th Maine Infantry - June 11, marched to Hartwood Church, 8 miles west of Falmouth, VA.; June 12, marched to Bealeton, between Falmouth and Warrenton, VA.; June 13, remained at Bealeton; June 14, marched to Manassas Junction; June 15-16, resting at Manassas Junction; June 17, marched to Centreville; June 18, remained at Centreville.

David Colburn, 2nd New Hampshire Infantry - June 11, marched to Hartwood Church, 8 miles west of Falmouth; June 12, marched to Bealeton, between Falmouth and Warrenton, VA.; June 13, remained at Bealeton; June 14, marched to Catlett's Station, near Warrenton; June 15, marched via Bristoe Station to Blackburn's Ford on Bull Run Creek, near Manassas Junction; June 16, rested near Blackburn's Ford; June 17, marched to location near Centreville, VA.; June 18, remained at Centreville.

Phillip Bennetts, 7th Wisconsin Infantry - June 11, camped at White Oak Church; June 12, marched to Deep Run, VA.; June 13, marched to Bealeton, between Falmouth and Warrenton, VA.; June 14, marched to Centreville; June 15-16, resting at Centreville; June 17, marched to Herndon Station, VA.; June 18, resting at Herndon Station.

Sergeant Conrad Mehne, 27th Indiana Infantry - June 11-12, in camp at Stafford Court House, VA.; June 13, marched toward Dumfries, VA.; June 14, marched to Dumfries; June 15, marched to Fairfax Courthouse, VA.; June 16, resting at Fairfax Courthouse; June 17, marched to camp near Dranesville; June 18, marched to Leesburg, VA.

Henry F. Long, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry - June 11-14, picketing the Rappahannock River between Beverly Ford and Sulphur Springs; June 15, night march to Catlett's Station; June 16, marched to near Manassas Junction and Bull Run Creek; June 17, marched to Middleburg and engaged in skirmish with Confederate Cavalry at Aldie, VA.; June 18, engaged in cavalry fighting near Middleburg, VA. at Goose Creek.

Alonzo D. Hayden, 1st Minnesota Infantry - June 11-14, camped at Falmouth, VA.; June 15, marched to camp near Aquia, VA.; June 16, marched through Dumfries to Wolf Run Shoals, VA.; June 17, marched to Sangster's Station; June 18, rested at Sangster's Station.

Sergeant Charles Phelps, 5th New Hampshire Infantry - June 11-14, camped at Falmouth, VA.; June 14, marched through night of June 14 and arrived at Stafford Court House on the morning of June 15th; June 16, marched through Dumfries to Wolf Run Shoals, VA.; June 17, marched to Sangster's Station; June 18, built earthworks near Sangster's Station.

John Paris, 1st Delaware Infantry - June 11-14, camped at Falmouth, VA.; June 14, marched to Stafford Court House on night of June 14, then on to Dumfries; June 16, marched to Wolf Run Shoals; June 17, marched to Fairfax Court House; June 18, rested near Fairfax Court House.

Corporal Cornelius Bennick, 74th New York Infantry - June 11, marched to Hartwood Church, VA.; June 12, marched to Bealeton, between Falmouth and Warrenton; June 13, remained at Bealeton; June 14, marched to Catlett's Station, near Warrenton; June 15, marched via Bristoe Station to Blackburn's Ford on Bull Run Creek near Manassas Junction; June 16, rested near Blackburn's Ford; June 17, marched to Centreville; June 18, remained at Centreville.

Sergeant Philip J. Kuhn, 26th Wisconsin Infantry - June 11, in camp near Brooke's Station; June 12, marched to Hartwood Church; June 13, marched to Catlett's Station below Warrenton; June 14, marched to Manassas Junction; June 15, marched to Centreville, VA.; June 16, remained at Centreville; June 17, marched to Cow Horn Ford on Goose Creek six miles from Leesburg, VA.; June 18, remained near Goose Creek.

Charles Beard, 33rd Massachusetts Infantry - June 11, in camp near Brooke's Station; June 12, marched to Hartwood Church; June 13, marched to Catlett's Station; June 14, marched to Manassas Junction, VA.; June 15, marched to Centreville, VA.; June 16, remained at Centreville; June 17, marched to Cow Horn Ford on Goose Creek, six miles from Leesburg, VA.; June 18, remained near Goose Creek.

John Pierce, 14th Connecticut Infantry - June 11-14, camped at Falmouth, VA.; June 14, marched to Stafford Court House overnight of June 14, then on to Dumfries; June 16, marched to Wolf Run Shoals; June 17, marched to Fairfax Court House; June 18, rested near Fairfax Court House.

Private Isaac Taylor, 1st Minnesota Infantry- June 11-14, camped at Falmouth, VA.; June 15, marched to camp near Aquia, VA.; June 16, marched through Dumfries to Wolf Run Shoals, VA.; June 17, marched to Sangster's Station; June 18, rested at Sangster's Station.

Charles Reed, Bugler, 9th Massachusetts Battery - June 11-18, in camp at Centreville, VA.

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK: In a Union artillery battery, one cannon was hooked to a limber that was towed by a six horse team with a driver on each horse. Each cannon also had a caisson that was towed by another six-horse team and three drivers. Including three extra horses for the officers, how many horses and drivers are needed to move one six-gun battery? How many horses are required for an "artillery brigade" of five batteries?

Check back for next week's issue of The Yankee Gazette. (Also look for the Gettysburg Star and Sentinel to find out what is happening in Adams County, Pennsylvania.)

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