Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Rebels in Pennsylvania--Where's Lee?

From The Constitution, Wednesday, June 24, 1863 (volume 26, number 1330)

War News

The number of the rebels who entered Pennsylvania was over estimated. It does not appear that more than three or four thousand at the most crossed the borders into that state, and these were unsupported by infantry.  They were under the command of a General Jenkins. The rebels went no further than Chambersburg, which place they left on their retreat on Wednesday, after robbing all the drug stores and setting fire to a warehouse. A much larger force must have entered Maryland. Gen. Milroy reports that he was attacked by 15,000 rebels, who drove his force of 10,000 men from behind strong entrenchments and he succeeded after suffering heavy losses in reaching Harpers Ferry. The enemy made an attempt on Harpers Ferry. But Gen. Tyler made it too hot for them, and they left for some more easy conquest. The accounts of the movements of the enemy in Maryland during the latter part of the week show that large numbers of infantry and cavalry had crossed the river, and were scattered over a considerable section. Their main object appeared to be plunder. There is much uncertainty as to the position and intentions of Gen. Lee. It was believed on Saturday that the main body of Stuart’s cavalry, twelve thousand strong was at Warrenton, and Lee’s army was massed in the Shenandoah Valley somewhere between Front Royal and Winchester. Gen. Hooker moved his army northward with the greatest rapidity, and is believed by his movement to have disconcerted the plans of Gen. Lee.

Affairs are progressing favorably at Vicksburg. Gen. Grant has received large reinforcements, which make it impossible that he should be driven from his position by any force which the enemy can bring against him. He says he can take the city any hour by assault, but he prefers to compel the enemy to surrender by starvation than incur the loss which must attend an assault.

There had been no engagement of Gen. Hooker’s army, except cavalry, with the enemy up to Sunday last. A part of Lee’s army is believed to be around Winchester. Longstreet’s corps is supposed to be in the Shenandoah Valley.

The latest advices from Gen. Grant’s army are to the 16th int. The siege was being pressed with vigor, and nothing new had transpired.

Gen. Grant has issued an order declaring that hereafter, should any soldier, whether white or black, wearing the uniform of a United States soldier, be captured and executed by the enemy, retaliatory measures will be adopted by him, and rebel soldiers in his hands will be treated in like manner.

Details of the battle of Winchester show that the 18th Conn. and the 7th Md. regiments were captured almost entire. The former was over 900 strong, of whom only 33 are all it can muster. Col. Ely is a prisoner. More than 2000 of the Union soldiers have returned and joined Milroy’s command. Whether the 18th is among those who have escaped is not stated.

It is reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer that the rebels are advancing on Gettysburg, Pa., with 40,000 men and 18 pieces of artillery.

Heavy cannonading commenced early Sunday morning in the direction of Aldie, and continued with intervals through the day. It is known that Gen. Pleasanton attacked the enemy near Aldie, and it is supposed that he has succeeded in routing Gen. Stuart’s command.

The Militia.

The benefit of having a well organized state militia, which can be instantly called into service has been well illustrated within the past two weeks. Pennsylvania was suddenly invaded by the enemy, and the only protection which the capital of that state and even Philadelphia itself could have was from the militia of Pennsylvania and the neighboring states. A call was made upon New York which within two days despatched several thousands of troops to the aid of her sister state. A message was sent to Governor Buckingham from the Secretary of War to know how many militia men he could furnish on an emergency. Our whole militia force at the present time numbers about 1000 men, besides 500 Governor’s Guards. This is all the available force in the state. It would require considerable time to prepare any additional troops for service.

We hope the Legislature now in session will attend to this subject. It is likely to be of considerable importance, and there should be no delay in devising and putting in force some plan for providing a well organized militia for this state.

Western Virginia.

On Friday last Western Virginia became one of the States of the Union. On Saturday, the inauguration ceremonies took place at Wheeling, and the State officers assumed their respective positions.

Local News.

GENERAL M’CLELLAN arrived in town yesterday. He is stopping at Mr. Joseph W. Alsop’s. Last evening a number went out and serenaded him. The General appeared and made a short speech.

Police Court.

Before Justice Clark.—Andrew German was brought up on a charge of assault and battery on Michael Higgins. He was found guilty of the charge, and fined $3.00 and costs, amounting to $10.62. He paid all charges and was released.

Before Justice Putnam.—Catherine Wall was arraigned on a charge of drunkenness. It was a bad case, and Catherine was fined $7.00 and costs, which she did not pay. She was, therefore, accommodated with an apartment in the county institution at Haddam profanely called a “jug.”

Various Matters.

It was very dark on Sunday night when evening services were over. Several people got lost, and went home the wrong way. The sidewalks were crooked, and trees stood in the middle of the sidewalks; and the streets and the trees and the sidewalks and the people seemed to be all mixed up together. It was a singular phenomenon, but is generally thought to be owing to the peculiar condition of several lamp-posts in the neighborhood.

Sheriff Snow, of Middlesex County, has appointed Curtis Bacon of Middletown one of his deputies. Mr. Bacon was U. S. Marshal for Connecticut under the Buchanan Administration. He is a gentleman of kind heart and remarkable suavity of manner.—The rascals of Middlesex County will find it a pleasure to be arrested by him. -- New Haven Jour.

Lost.

A pocket book containing sixty-four dollars in money, and a check for fifty-four dollars was lost between here and Cromwell last week Tuesday by Mr. Justus Stocking of Cromwell. It will be a great deal better for the finder to return the pocket book to its owner than to try to keep it.

The Weather.

Average temperature for the week at 6 A. M. has been 51 degrees. There has been very little rain, although we have had much cloudy weather. The ground is becoming quite dry, and farmers are prophesying short crops unless we have a soaking rain soon. This morning the mercury stood at 55 degrees, yesterday at 53. Thursday was the coolest morning, when the mercury stood at 47 degrees.

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