History of Western Maryland. J. Thomas Scharf
twenty miles to Jefferson and Middletown, where he was joined by the cavalry, which had been scouting in the vicinity of Frederick.
The sudden and unexpected invasion of Maryland by the Confederate forces under Early created intense excitement in the State, especially in Frederick and in the Cumberland Valley.
The movements of the Confederates on the upper Potomac were not sufficiently developed to afford a clear estimate either of their force or intentions until the 6th of July, when a skirmish between the pickets took place about half-way between Frederick and Point of Rocks. The Confederates retired, leaving several of their men in the hands of the Federals, who gave the intelligence that the Confederates were advancing, and that it was not simply a raid, but an invasion in force with the purpose of capturing Washington or Baltimore.
On receipt of intelligence that the Confederates were crossing the Potomac, the inhabitants of the border towns of Pennsylvania were greatly alarmed. Hundreds of men, women, and children passed through York and Harrisburg on their way to the interior, and the roads were lined with horses, cattle, and wagons, loaded with goods and provisions, being driven in the same direction. Many hid their property and cattle in the mountains. The merchants in Chambersburg, Shippensburg, and Carlisle packed up their goods and valuables and shipped them to points of safety. The machinery in the shops of the Chambersburg Railroad Company was removed, and every precaution taken to prevent anything valuable falling into Confederate hands. The live-stock of the farmers in Adams, Fulton, and Cumberland Counties was all removed, and every train from Cumberland Valley moving eastward was crowded with refugees.
The Confederate cavalry, under Brig. Gen. John McCausland, entered Hagerstown on the 6th of July, and took possession of the place. The United States quartermaster had in the meantime abandoned the town, with a large quantity of his stores and several hundred horses, and arrived safely at Carlisle. A large majority of the stores were closed and their contents removed.
As soon as McCausland found that he was in undisturbed possession of Hagerstown he requested an interview with the town council. As soon as this was had he presented them with the following order, and told them that if the demand was not complied with within a limited time the town would be laid in ashes:
" Headquarters Cavalry Brigade,
"Hagerstown, Md., July 6, 1864.
" General Order No. —.
"1st. In accordance with the instructions of Lieut. -Gen. Early, a levy of 20,000 dollars is made upon the inhabitants of this city. The space of three hours is allowed for the payment of the sum in United States funds.
"2nd. A requisition is also made for all government stores.
"3rd. The following articles will also be furnished from the merchandise now in the hands of the citizens or merchants, viz.: 1500 suits of clothes, 1500 hats, 1500 pairs shoes or boots, 1500 shirts, 1900 pairs drawers, and 1500 pairs socks. Four hours allowed for their collection.
"The mayor and council are held responsible for the execution of this order, and in case of non-compliance the usual penalty will be enforced upon the city.
"John McCausland, Brigadier-General C.S.A."
Upon receipt of this order a town-meeting was immediately called to assemble in the court-house, where the demand of Gen. McCausland was discussed; and it was decided that under the circumstances the town council should raise the money and as much of the clothing; as it was possible for them to obtain within the time allowed. The money was soon raised, but it was found that it would be impossible to furnish the clothing. Additional time was asked in which to raise it, but McCausland was deaf to every appeal, and repeated his threat that if his demand was not complied with within the time specified he would lay the town in ashes. At last, however, when he found that there was a disposition on the part of the council and the people to furnish the required amount, he extended the time two hours, telling them that if his requisition was not tilled by that time they knew what they had to expect. He then marched a regiment of his cavalry into the town, and stationed them in front of the court-house, as it was supposed, for the purpose of intimidating the 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 forth by the distressed citizens, and clothing of every hue and material was taken to the court-house, where it was placed in the hands of a committee, whose duty it was to hold it and transfer it to McCausland. The supply in town, however, was found to be sadly deficient, and the fact was soon announced to the Confederate leader, who swore to them that if it was not " forthcoming by the time specified 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 the town, and that they might expect no lenity at his hands. At last, through the influence of several members of his staff, to whom the citizens had appealed, he was induced to accept the twenty thousand dollars and the amount of clothing that they had raised. Upon receiving the following assurance, written on the bottom of the original demand, that the money and clothing was satisfactory, the ransom was handed over to McCausland:
" The town of Hagerstown having complied with the foregoing requisition by paying in cash twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), and having also furnished the specified articles therein mentioned to the utmost of their ability, I hereby certify to the facts, and place the town under the protection of the Confederate forces, releasing the citizens and their property from further contribution, and agreeing to shield both from further requirements.
[Signed] " John McCausland, Brig.-Gen. C.S.A.
"Coats 243 Shoes 123
Pants 203 Hats 830
Drawers 132 Shirts 225
Hose 737 Piece Goods, 1370 ½ yards.
Boots 99 Clothing, 70 pieces ass'd.
" J. C. Van Fossen-, Quartermaster."
Among the sufferers in Hagerstown whose stores were rifled were Messrs. Knodle and Small, shoe- dealers, and Messrs. Rourkulp and Updegraff, dealers in hats.
While the citizens of Hagerstown were occupied in complying with McCauslands demands, a number of prowling cavalrymen entered and plundered the drugstores. At the same time other bodies were scattered over the country plundering stores, seizing horses and cattle, and destroying property in retaliation for Gen. Hunter's devastations in Virginia. In Williamsport, Sharpsburg, Boonsboro', and Middletown they entered the stores, and in some instances private dwellings, and carried off whatever suited their purpose. At Boonsboro' they also destroyed the printing materials of the Odd-Fellow newspaper, and in their march through the country they took wagons, horses, cattle, and sheep. A large steam distillery, about a mile and a half from Williamsport, belonging to Mr. Dahl, was fired and consumed.
After the money and clothing had been handed over to McCausland by the citizens of Hagerstown he left the place, marching in the direction of Middletown and Boonsboro". On the next day ( Thursday, July 7th) several squads of Confederates passed through the town, but no damage was done to any property, and no one was molested. On Friday morning, however, a band of guerrillas, numbering about one hundred and eighty men, under command of Maj. Davis, entered the town, and broke into a number of shoe-and hat-stores, helping themselves freely to their contents. They also set fire to the hay belonging to the United States government and to the Franklin Railroad depot, which were consumed. They were about to destroy a large quantity of oats and corn belonging to the government, stored in several private warehouses, when the citizens remonstrated with them, and called their attention to the fact that they had already paid the amount of indemnity demanded by McCausland and were ransomed.
This Davis' party was not satisfied with, but they consented to spare the warehouses,