HISTORIC
NEWSPAPER INDEXING PROJECT
A DETAILED
ACCOUNT OF THE RANSOM OF
July 6,
1864
2A
"THE
RAID"
(Transcription with pictures added and edited for easier
reading.)
On Sunday the 3rd inst., at
about 12 o’clock, in a rumor began to be circulated in our streets, to the
effect that the Rebels had possession of Martinsburg, and were on their way to
this place. Rumor succeeded rumor, and the last was always more alarming than
it’s predecessor , and no two of them were exactly the alike, but the fact that
the Rebels were on their way to pay us a huge visit was sufficient in itself to
cause alarm. Evening came, and with it came a host of persons in every grade and
color, eager to keep out of the reach of the advancing foe. Our merchants and
business men began to see the necessity of removing whatever was valuable and
moveable, and general packing up commenced, and before midnight many had their
goods on the road to some place of safety, and others who were not commenced
with property, left as speedily as possible. Monday came, and still the number
of rumors had not diminished, but on the contrary were on the increase, and were
more alarming than to those of the proceeding day. Excited men came into town
each vieing (vying) with other in magnifying the approaching danger. Some had
seen the enemy crossing the river twenty, twenty-five and even thirty thousand
strong. This as a matter of course was not calculated to alley the feverish
excitement which prevailed. On Tuesday morning it was ascertained that the Rebel
pickets were really advancing, and occasional skirmishing rook place between
them and our on about 2 o’clock on that afternoon, some fifteen or twenty Rebel
cavalry and driven beyond St. James’ College were a Rebel Lieutenant and two privates were captured. Nothing
further occurred until the following day at 1 o’clock, when our pickets were
again driving on in the
As soon as the rebels found they were in
undisturbed possession of the town, they began to make inquiry for the borough
council. An interview was soon had, and the rebel General made his demands
known, a list of which will be found in another column. The council were
politely told by this polished representative of our “Southern brethern” that if
the demand was not was compiled with, within a limited time, the town would be
laid in ashes. A town meeting was called to assemble in the Court House. Our
citizens on collecting together discussed the demand of the rebel Genera; and
decided that our Council should raise the money, and as much of the clothing as
was possible for them to do. Three hours were given in which to pay the money
and furnish the required amount of clothing. Additional time was asked in which
to raise it, but General McCausland was deaf to every appeal, and swore bitterly
that is demands were not complied within the time specified, his threat would be
carried out to the letter. At last, however, when he found that there was a
disposition on the part of the council and the people were to furnish the
required amount, he extended the time two hours telling them that if the
requisition was not filled by that time, they knew what they had to expect. He
then marched a regiment of his troops into the town, and stationed them in front
of the Court-House, evidently for the purpose of intimidating our citizens, or
with a view of carrying out his threat provided the money and goods were not
promptly handed over at the hour stipulated. Every effort was put fourth, and
clothing of every hue and material was taken to the Court House, where it was
placed in the hands of committee whose duty was to hold it and transfer it to
the Chivalry. The supply in town however, was found to be sadly deficient, and
the fact was soon announced to the free-booter-in-chief, wbo in the classical
language peculiar to his class and tbe land from which he hailed said to them
that if it was not “forthcoming by the time specified, by the eternal Jesus
Christ, he would carry out his threat should it cost him his own life and that
of his whole command.” He told them that before doing so, he would give them
half an hour to remove the women and children from town, and that they might
expect no lenity at his hands. Every effort was made to reach some tender chord
in the region of his heart, but unfortunately there was not a single one which
was not proof against all appeals, At last the idea occurred, to some of the
council members that he might be reached through some one of his staff. This was
tried, and proved successful, and the articles given in the list which will be
found elsewhere in our paper were accepted. Our citizens wisely withheld the
$20,000 until they had assurance from McCausland that the amount of clothing
which was raised with satisfactory. As soon as that assurance was given, the
clothing was taken to the Court House and the money paid over. When the clothing
was taken there, this dashing Southern chief was amongst the first to “grab” a
new hat; and his “sark” was of ‘creeshy flanen.’ (greasy flannel) and fouler, if
possible, than that spoken of by Scotia’s immortal bard in his imitable tale of
Tam O’ Shatner, he helped himself to a clean one with as much eagerness as a
highwayman would manifest when relieving a man of his purse on some public
thoroughfare. There was none of that “modest dignity” in the man of which we
have heard so much-none of that “polish and southern refinement so peculiar to
the man of the South,” but he walked forward to the promiscuous mass of clothing
piled up before him, and like one who had been trained to the profession of a
highwayman, helped himself to whatever suited his purpose, with a grin of
exultation such you might expect to see upon the face of the leader of a
banditti. This Champion of “Southern rights” is about five feet teen inches in
height, squarely built, with coarse, red beard, rough, rude and brutal in his
intercourse with those with whom he came in contact; proverbially profane, and
to use the expression of one of his command,” “he has not a single redeeming
quality except that he is brave and will fight.”
Whilst our citizens were collecting the
money and clothing, demanded by this representative of the “Chivalry,” he and
his associates effected an entrance into the different Drug stores in the place,
and helped themselves to the contents without asking whether the owners were
friends or foes, Their object was booty, and it mattered but little to them
whose it was. It was clear to gain to them and they took it without warning the
opinions of the owners.
After the money and clothing had been
handed over to them, they began to make preparations for leaving, and at 1
o’clock, A.M. left the place
marching in the direction of
On Thursday but a few of them visited the
place. Occasionally throughout the day, little squads might be seen passing
along the streets, but no damage was done to any property and no one was
molested. On Friday morning, however, a band of guerillas numbering about one
hundred and eighty men, under command of Major Davis, entered the town, and
broke into a number of shoe and shoe stores. Amongst the sufferers, were Messrs.
Knodle and Small, shoe-dealers, and Messrs. Rouskulp and Updegraff, dealers in
hats. The losses by these gentlemen were considerable, although we have not
ascertained what the amount really is. During the time this was going on, or
immediately after, the hay belonging to the Government, and the Engine House of
the Franklin Railroad Company were fired by the party and consumed. They then
turned their attention to the oats and corn belonging to the Government, which
were stored in the Warehouses of Messrs. Eichelberger and Thurston. Our citizens
remonstrated against this procedure, alleging that they had already paid the
amount demanded or at least the commanding officer was satisfied with the amount
paid demanded on at least the commanding officer and was satisfied with amount
paid and had released them. This was not satisfactory, but they stipulated to
save the Warehouse provided they were paid the sum of five hundred dollars and
that some one of the citizens would give bond in one hundred thousand dollars
that the grain would be burned, and in default of doing so. He should in,
addition, forfeit his life. Mr. Isaac Nesbitt Clerk of our courts, agreed to the
conditions, and gave the requisite bond and the people proceeded to carry the
grain and set it on fire in accordance with the understanding between the
parties. They then demanded ten pausing boots with the understanding between the
parties. They then demanded ten
pairs of boots with the understanding that on receipt of them they would vacate
the place. This was agreed to. The boots were furnished and the party was left.
A few remained prowling about the town until Saturday evening when our cavalry
came into town and this ended the raid so far as Hagerstown was concerned.
Throughout this entire difficulty, our
borough council have (has) done their duty fully and faithfully, and are
entitled to the thanks for the entire people. Had they not paid the money, and
to the utmost of their ability, furnished the clothing, the consequences to the
people would have been serious in the extreme. It was not the desire to soldiery
that they should do so, and had it not been done, a very different state of
affairs would have existed in that which followed the payment of the money. The
council knew that in case of non-compliance with the demand, a system of pillage
and outrage would have been inaugurated, such as the only known in times of
civil war, and they wisely and prudently adopted the only course which was
calculated to prevent it, and for this they are entitled to the thanks of every
citizen of the place. Those who had any intercourse with General McCausland must
know that he is not the kind of man who would be likely to throw restraints
around his men, but on the contrary would be disposed to give them
unbridled license to do whatever
they might desire. What would have been the condition of unprotected females,
had the followers of such a man been permitted to roam at will throughout the
place? The sum of $20,000 would not have been as a feather in the scale against
such a calamity, nor would it have been anything in comparison to the losses
which would have been sustained by pillage. Our council and those who acted with
them in this matter have done their duty faithfully and he, who would object to
the course they pursued, has not the well-being of the community at heart or is
blind to the consequences which would have followed a different policy.
Immediately after troops were sent here,
Wm. E. Wilson, the efficient and gentleman operator in the office of the
Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Company, at
Whilst the 1500 men under McCausland were
operating in Hagerstown other bodies of the enemy were scattered over the
southern portion of the County, robbing stores, stealing horses and cattle, and
destroying property. In
What was the real number of Rebel troops
within the limits of our Country we have so no means of knowing, and find, on
diligent inquiry, that others are as much in the dark in relation to it as
ourselves. The policy of the enemy seemed to be to keep us uninformed and to
magnify the number of their forces as much as possible. It is certain, however,
that is was large enough to sweep over the Country and to take from the
inhabitants whatever was valuable or useful, and to retire with its booty
without punishment rejoicing over its success.
After plundering the people of
At about half past three o’clock Thursday
our forces, fell back within a mile of Frederick where they made a stand, and
waited the approach of the enemy who made their appearance in about half an
hour, when Captain Alexander’s guns opened on them with a view of checking their
advance. They, however, formed, planting their guns on Hagan’s and the Red
Hills, with their infantry posted in the valley formed by these and the Catoctin
Mountains. The fight for some time
was exclusively with artillery, and during its progress, one of their guns was
dismounted by a shot from one of Alexander’s guns commanded by Lieut. Parkins.
After sometime the infantry became engaged, and at a little after six o’clock it
was ascertained that the ammunition was nearly exhausted. Couries (couriers)
were dispatched to report to Generals Tyler and Wallace at the Frederick
Junction, about three miles from the city, when a special train was immediately
sent with an ample supply. About seven o’clock our forces drove the enemy back a
short distance, and held their advanced position until night put an end to the
fight. The forces engaged on
our side were, the 3d Maryland, 700 st[r]ong, which came up at the commencement
of the action singing "Rally Round the Flag Boys:" the 8th Illinois Cavalry, 300 men; three
pieces of Alexander's Battery, with 50 men, and two companie[/]s of Maulsby's
Home Brigade. The following is a
list of the casualties during the fight.
Al[e]xander's Battery-Sergeant Charles C.
Green wounded.
First Regiment Potomac Home Brigade-J.
Cunningham wounded.
Third Regiment Potomac Home Brigade-Major
H. C. Rizer, Charles H. Mason, J.
W. Ball, S. Mobley, John O'Brien, G. W. Springer, J. Baker, J. W. Rice, J. A.
Binney, J. Richards, J. T. Halstead, S. Yates, J. W. Cruntilson and A. Fite, all
wounded.
Eight
Owing to heavy reinforcements having been
received by the enemy during the night, General Wallace deemed it prudent to
fall back to the Junction and after collecting all his supplies and military
stores he accordingly did so, leaving Frederick unprotected. This, however, was
the only course left open for him. The city was now taken possession of by the
enemy when a contribution of $200-000 was levied on the citizens which was paid.
This, with the plunder they obtained, made their visit t the city a profitable
one.
At 8 o’clock
on Saturday morning General Wallace had his forces in line on the South-East
bank of the Monocacy awaiting an attack by the enemy. The battle soon after
began, and was kept up with spirit and personal daring on both sides for a short
period of eight hours when our forces were compelled to retreat. During the
progress of the battle, the enemy made several ineffectual attempts to take the
covered turnpike bridge. Every attempt was repulsed with severe loss to the
enemy, but at 4 o’clock General Wallace ordered it to be fired, believing that
it would be impossible for him to hold it longer. General Tyler in the meantime
had repulsed several advances to the Railroad bridge. At the same time two regiments of
After the defeat of General Wallace at the
Monocacy, the enemy pushed forward making a feint upon Baltimore, destroying
bridges, cutting railroad communication and severing the telegraph wires, the
main body turned in the direction of Washington when they made a demonstration
on Fort Stevens [a] distan[ce]t [of] about seven miles from the City, where they
were repulsed with some loss. In
their course they burned the houses of Governor Bradford and Postmaster-General
Blair. After their unsuccessful attempt on
Images from:
Williams, Thomas J. C.
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