June 16, 1863, The New York Herald
The invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania by the rebel forces of General Lee is the all absorbing topic in the war news today. It appears that at noon on Sunday the rebel forces made their appearance in strength at Berrysville and Martinsburg. At the latter place they were met with a stubborn resistance by the Union forces, but in vain, they had to fall back. Yesterday morning our troops evacuated Hagerstown, Md., before the advancing force of the enemy, and fell back upon Chambersburg, removing the stores and railroad stock before they went. Rumors of the capture of our troops at Winchester prove to be untrue.
General Milroy made a gallant defence at Winchester. He was surrounded by a rebel force of 18,000 men, but succeeded, after a hard fight, in cutting his way through and reaching Harper’s Ferry. Our troops at Martinsburg also got back upon the Ferry. General Milroy made a determined resistance before abandoning Winchester, but the rebels being strongly reinforced on Sunday, there was nothing for it but to cut himself out. He lost 2,000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners.
Lieutenant Palmer arrived at Chambersburg yesterday, and reported that he had to fight his way two miles out from Greencastle, and that the enemy were then advancing in three columns from that place – one towards Gettysburg and Waynesboro, one towards Mercersburg and another direct upon Chambersburg. The reports are confirmed by the fact that the rebels entered Chambersburg at nine o’clock last night, as we learn by more recent despatches. A universal panic prevails throughout Pennsylvania.
In this emergency the President has issued a call for a hundred thousand militia, to be furnished at once for six months’ service. They are apportioned as follows among the States in immediate danger: – From the State of Maryland ten thousand; from the State of Pennsylvania fifty thousand; from the State of Ohio thirty thousand.
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, has also issued a proclamation conjuring the people of that State to turn out and defend their firesides against the advancing forces of General Lee. He says that the issue is one of preservation or destruction. In a despatch yesterday to the Collector of Philadelphia, Mr. Thomas, the Governor says that Lee’s army is approaching Harrisburg in force, and that he must have men to meet him. The leading citizens of Philadelphia have telegrapher to Washington for General Cadwallader to come to their assistance.
Governor Tod, of Ohio, has also issued a proclamation calling out 30,000 volunteers for the defence of the border.
Governor Seymour received a despatch from Washington yesterday calling for twenty thousand men of the militia force immediately. He at once sent for the different major generals to come to Albany for consultation. The Governor is taking steps t complete the organization of the militia. A draft will be made under the State law to fill up the regiments until the twenty thousand are supplied. All the militia regiments in this city are under orders today to turn out, and start immediately for Philadelphia […..] short service,” by command of Governor Seymour.
The news from Vicksburg to the 10th reports no change there. Johnston continues to receive reinforcements from the East and is preparing for a forward movement. Our troops at Milliken’s Bend have also been reinforced.
We give further particulars today of the movements of the rebel privateers, which appear to be growing more formidable every day.
Our latest news from Mexico by the Roanoke yesterday from Havana confirms the report of the escape of the Mexican officers captured at Puebla. Generals Ortega Prieto, Pinzon, LaLlave and Patoni had arrived at Jalapa, and expressed their determination to make their way to the capital. Only four thousand French troops had been left to garrison Puebla, the remainder of the army having pushed on towards Mexico City. The defence of that city has been entrusted to general La Garza, and Jaurez was there up to the 25th ult.
The HERALD’S special agent in the West Indies furnishes very interesting reports, dated at Nassau, N.P., 6th of May, and Kingston, Jamaica, on the 5th of June, relative to results produced by the American rebellion in this section of the British colonies.
The English frigates Ariadne and Aboukir lay in Port Royal harbor, and it was ordered that they should be kept always ready for sea at a few hours’warning. A new battery was to be built at immense cost and a huge depot of war material was already formed on the island. The old batteries were to be fortified with Armstrong guns. The negroes of Jamaica supported the cause of the rebels, and Captain Semmes was regarded as a hero since his last visit to the island. In Nassau the colored folks did not apparently care whether their brethren on the Southern States were bond or free. This revulsion of feeling was induced by the representatives of Confederate emissaries and the advance in laborers’ wages produced by the Anglo-rebel trade of running the blockade. In Nassau many houses had made large fortunes already by this traffic alone. The thousand bales of cotton awaited shipment to Europe from Nassau.