Chambersburg Comes to life
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Table of Contents THANK YOU! The Franklin County Visitors Bureau appreciates the volunteers and community supporters that help to make 1864: The Burning and Rebirth of Chambersburg possible. Special thanks to our advertisers, vendors and community partners:
Chambersburg in 1864...........................................................4 Troops Advance to Chambersburg........................................5 The Ransom Demand & Consequences...............................6 Out of the Ashes & Into the Progressive Era.......................8 The Aftermath of The Burning.............................................11 Order to Burn Chambersburg.............................................12 Acts of Mercy..........................................................................13 Burden of Conscience...........................................................14 Strong & Different Points of View.......................................15 The Path of the 1864 Confederate Burning........................16 Ted Alexander.........................................................................17
Allison-Antrim Museum Capitol Theatre Backroad Rider Bob O’Connor Bonnie’s Guns Borough of Chambersburg: Borough of Chambersburg Recreation Department Borough of Chambersburg Electric Department Bunting’s Fireplace & Stove Inc. Buzz Shank Chambersburg Heritage Center Conococheague Institute Fort Loudoun’s 250th Black Boys Rebellion Franklin County Commissioners Franklin County Historical Society Frank Magazine Jenning’s Chevrolet Buick GMC Monterey Pass Battlefield Pets for Vets/Operation: God Bless America Purple Deck Media & Solinkit Rada Books Reid’s Winery/Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail Totem Pole Playhouse Waynesboro Community Golf Course Zoo Zoo’s Animaland
Staff of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau Lauren Cappuccio, Tourism Associate- Graphic Design Mary Harris, Tourism Associate- Visitor Services Sherry Kostyrka, Office Manager Janet Pollard, Executive Director
866-646-8060 | 717-552-2977 ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com Facebook.com/FCVBen | Twitter.com/FCVB
Chambersburg in 1864 In 1864, Chambersburg’s population was about 5,500. It was a town settled by hard-working Scots-Irish and German immigrants. As is true today, Chambersburg was well-located and, therefore, a transportation hub. Goods and people moved on the roads to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. The Cumberland Valley Railroad was well-established in the community. The town offered large hotels and taverns to lodge travelers, general stores along its main streets, someone to repair wagons and shoe horses. Chambersburg had barbers, seamstresses, hatmakers, tool-makers, and carriage builders. Industry was located along the Conococheague Creek and included paper mills and metal fabricators. It was a thriving community, which grew steadily from its founding in the mid-1730’s. The bombardment of Fort Sumter propelled the country to a state of war. Men of Chambersburg and Franklin County enlisted to support Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops, and by 1861 Chambersburg became a military town where Union troops trained. Both supplies and troops were loaded onto the cars of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, and war hovered around the doorsteps of Franklin County communities. In 1862, Chambersburg had its first confederate raid when General J.E.B. Stuart took horses, food and other supplies, burning the railroad shops and cutting the telegraph wires on a hasty fray across the Mason Dixon Line and into Franklin County. In the summer of 1863, Chambersburg experienced a more intense and lasting incursion as Robert E. Lee headquartered in Chambersburg and set up camp with 75,000 Confederate soldiers in and around the county seat before moving east towards Gettysburg to engage the Union troops. Each time Confederates entered Chambersburg, the stakes increased, but on July 30, 1864, no one envisioned such a vast and definitive impact the coming hours would have in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburgcomes comestotolife! life! 44--Chambersburg
Troops Advance to Chambersburg On July 28, 1864, General John McCausland received Jubal Early’s order of July 26 to hold Chambersburg ransom for $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee dollars, and if the ransom was not met, to burn Chambersburg. The July 26 order, also directed to General Bradley Johnson to join McCausland in the raid. McCausland would use the same route as J.E.B. Stuart when he raided the southern border of Pennsylvania in 1862, crossing at McCoy’s Ferry Ford and moving northward into Mercersburg and then to Chambersburg. With this route in mind, General McCausland sent Major Harry Gilmore to secure the ford near Clear Spring, Maryland, for crossing. In all, the raiders totaled about 2,800 mounted calvary and four cannons. Once the crossing was secured, Gilmore’s patrol crossed and moved forward to the National Pike as the main body of McCausland’s men crossed the ford. It took about two hours for the Confederate contingent to cross the ford. As the main column crossed, Major Gilmore and his men set about making it appear that Hagerstown was targeted. The Confederate plan included drawing the Union’s attention to locations other than Chambersburg by moving troops toward Hagerstown, Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. Darius Couch commanded the Department of the Susquehanna, which was headquartered in Chambersburg and was organized to raise forces during Robert E. Lee’s 1863 Invasion of Pennsylvania. Weeks earlier, at the beginning of July, Couch was empowered to recruit a volunteer militia for 100 days of service, but the volunteers were sent to Maryland and Washington, DC. Couch did not have a force to defend Chambersburg, just enough to set a picket 7-8 miles west of Chambersburg, hoping to engage advancing Confederate troops long enough for Couch to gather supplies and important documents and evacuate Chambersburg. The main column of McCausland’s men stretched out as it traveled and stopped north of Mercersburg, PA about 5 PM on July 29, to reunite the rest. Some Confederates took to the streets of Mercersburg and secured what they needed or de-
sired. Mercersburg citizens reported vandalism and robberies taking place. About 10PM, McCausland and his men bgan breaking camp and started riding toward Chambersburg. The column of men stretched out as it traveled. Between midnight and 1 AM, McCausland raiders were slowed by exchanges with Union forces sent by Darius Couch to delay their progress as the Department of the Susquehanna was evacuated. At dawn, the Confederates were a mile west of Chambersburg, at the Henry Greenawalt house, resting and grazing their horses. Inside the Greenawalt home, McCausland met with his officers, revealing the details of Jubal Early’s order and discussing the execution of the orders.
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The Ransom Demand & Consequences The Great Invasion is a Civil War account by Jacob Hoke, who was a resident and merchant in Chambersburg, and gives a first-hand account of the ransom demand and ensuing consequences. During the Civil War, Hoke kept accounts of the Confederate invasions. The following is excerpted from The Great Invasion. “At an early hour in the morning- Saturday, July 30th - General McCausland placed about two thousand of his command in line upon a hill near the western suburb of the town, and about one mile from its center. Six pieces of artillery were also placed in position, and three shells were fired into the place without any notice to the citizens. The remaining nine hundred of the force were sent into the town, and the Court House bell was rung as a sign for the citizens to assemble to hear his requisition. No response being made, a guard under Major Harry Gilmore, of Baltimore, was sent around, who captured some six or eight of our leading men and conducted them to front of the Court House. Captain Fitzhugh, McCausland’s chief of staff then read to them General Early’s requisition, demanding the immediate payment of one hundred thousand dollars in gold, or five hundred thousand dollars in United States currency, and in default of payment ordering the destruction of the town. This order stated that this requisition and threat, burning were in retaliation for acts of destruction committed by Gen. Hunter in the Valley of Virginia, and specially naming some half dozen dwellings which he had burned. The money demanded was not, and could not be paid, for the reason that there was nothing like the amount demanded remaining in the town. Besides the citizens did not feel like contributing aid in the overthrow of their govern-
6 - Chambersburg comes to life!
ment. While these negotiations going on the work of plunder had already been commenced. Stores, and other places of business were broken into and robbed of what their contents yet remained unremoved or unsecreted. In some cases were opened and liquor obtained and some of the soldiers became intoxicated. Citizens, too, along thestreets were relieved of hats, caps, shoes, watches, etc. “As soon as General McCausland saw that the money demanded would not be furnished he gave the order to commence the work of destruction. Detachments were sent to diff erent parts of the town. Houses were opened, furniture was broken and piled upon heaps in rooms and fired. In some cases fire was kindled in closets, bureaus, and other depositories of, clothing. Many of the Confederate soldiers entered into this work with evident delight, and to
the entreaties and tears of the aged, the infirm, of women and children, they turned a deaf ear. Others, to their credit be it said, entirely disapproved of the work, and only entered upon it because compelled to do so. In some instances, in response to the cries and entreaties of the inmates of houses entered, the unwilling soldiers would say: “I must obey my orders and fire your house; you can do what you please when I leave.” In some cases, after fire had been kindled, others would come in extinguishing it. Some sections of the town were entirely saved because the officers sent there refused to execute their barbarous orders, and in a few cases officers and soldiers worked with citizens at the fire engine to extinguish the flames. Cases were numerous in which valuable articles were taken from those who were dragging them from their
A picture of the courthouse after it was burned to the ground by Confederate soldiers under the direction of General McCausland. After failing to pay a $100,00 gold ransom, or $500,000 in U.S. currency, soldiers burned the town in retaliation for acts of destruction by Union troops in Virginia.
burning homes, or through streets and alleys, up upon the horses by their riders and safely deposited upon the outskirts of the town. Others again were robbed of valuable articles which they were trying to carry away. The writer, while running with his family through flame and smoke, was pursued and stopped by a Confederate cavalryman and ordered to hand over a satchel. When assured that it contained neither money nor valuables, but a few pieces of clothing, the man desisted and rode away. No sooner did this one leave us than another rode up and entreated one of the ladies of our company to mount his horse and ride away, declaring that he would never use him again in the Confederate service. The scenes enacted in the streets during the earlier part of the burning were distressing indeed. People were running wildly about in search of children and friends. The occupants of houses were dragging from their threatened or burning homes valuable articles, such as sewing machines, articles of furniture, etc. Others with their arms full of clothing, bedding, carpets, books, pictures, etc., were running hither and thither seeking places of safety. In some cases these persons were compelled to sit down and pull off their boots and hand them over to some cavalryman, In a town the size of Chambersburg there were necessarily many aged, infirm, and sick persons, as well as some dead bodies of friends awaiting burial. The infirm had to be assisted to places of safety; the sick removed; and corpses temporarily buried in gardens. In several instances Confederate soldiers assisted in these humane acts. In a few cases houses isolated from others were spared and guards placed about them, because one or more of the inmates were too ill to be removed; and others still were spared by paying a ransom.
A picture of the destruction the burning caused the town of Chambersburg. Had the destruction occurred in winter, or at night, or during a storm, the destruction of life, with other imaginable horrors, would have been fearful. But it was in the morning and during a perfect calm. And yet at one time a fearful cyclone, or funnel-shaped column, which originated in the public square, where the converging flames seemed to have suddenly given birth and shape to this terrible apparition, moved with a hissing and roaring noise eastward along the line of Market Street, carrying far up into the heavens innumerable flakes of fire, ignited shingles and bits of boards. In its course it passed over the ground surrounding a residence which was not burned, and in which clothing, bedding, furniture, etc., had been deposited. As this whirling, hissing, and sucking cone touched these articles, it instantly drew some of the lighter ones up into the air. Pillows, feather-beds, bed quilts, and other articles were carried up and fell at considerable distances. A little girl of probably four years of age was caught by the monster and lifted six or eight feet from the ground. The conflagration at its height was
a scene of surpassing grandeur and terror. As building after building was fired, or caught from others, column after column of smoke rose black, straight, and single; first one, then another, and another. Each of these then, like huge serpents, writhed and twisted into a thousand fantastic shapes, until all finally blended and commingled, and formed one vast and livid column of smoke and flame which rose perpendicularly to the sky, and then spread out into a huge crown of sackcloth. It was heaven’s shield mercifully drawn over the scene to shelter from the blazing sun the homeless and unsheltered ones that had fled to the fields and cemeteries around the town, where they in silence and sadness sat and looked upon the destruction of their homes and the accumulations of a lifetime. Add to all this the roaring and crackling of the flames, the sound of falling walls, the distressing cries of burning animals, as horses, cattle, and swine, and a picture of the terrible is seen which no one who witnessed it would ever desire to have repeated.�
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Out of the Ashes & into Resilency, strength and courage rebuilds Chambersburg The devastation of the 1864 Burning of Chambersburg is as undeniable as it is obvious. The value of real estate and personal property lost to the fire exceeded $1.5 million. It is a tribute to the residents who remained that they had the courage and stamina to rebuild. The unexpected result was a simultaneous modernization of the community. One month after the burning, Chambersburg was busy formulating progressive recommendations for the rebuilding of the town. Among these were the planting of shade trees, the widening of Main Street--by eight feet on each side, and the creation of popular spots for residents to gather. Ten years after the 1864 burning, the community was solidly moving toward a new era. The community eye was toward the future. Yet, the events of 1864 and the Civil War were not forgotten. As the rebirth of Chambersburg evolved, ladies groups and veteran’s organizations resolved to establish a memorial to those that served the Union effort. On Saturday, July 20, 1878, more than 10,000 residents and visitors gathered in the diamond of Chambersburg to remember, honor and appreciate the county’s veterans with the dedication of the 26-ft. tall, five basin
cast iron, bronzed Memorial Fountain with the 7-ft. tall soldier. Along with the tribute to veterans, the day carried a significant amount of gratitude for the good fortune of Chambersburg to emerge from the ashes rather than be buried by the events of July 30 1864. It was a day to celebrate Chambersburg coming to life and the fountain stands as a constant reminder. The rebuilding brought a fresh, vibrant Chambersburg. It thrived and grew. The streets bustled with activity. The Cumberland Valley Railroad extended to Hagerstown and onto Winchester. The Western Maryland Railroad extended the rail line from Waynesboro to Chambersburg and onto Shippensburg. Chambersburg commenced the municipal operation of utilities and the size of the town expanded. By 1900, Chambersburg residents totaled nearly 9000--a thousand shy of twice the population at the time of the 1864 burning. By the beginning of the twentieth century, at the height of the Progressive Era, Chambersburg’s industrial businesses evolved. In the settlement years of Chambersburg, the industries were related to grain mills and lumber mills, followed by paper mills, the manufacturers of agricultural equipment, and wagon makers. The oldest business in Chambersburg was T.B. Wood’s & Sons Company. The precursor to T.B. Wood’s was established by William Gilman and Charles Eberley in 1840 and became T.B. Wood’s
One of the many railroad cars going through Chambersburg during the Progressive Era.
the Progressive Era New technological advantages made life easier for citizens & Sons Company in 1857. At the time of its founding, T.B. Wood’s & Sons was a foundry that produced wood burning stoves. By 1900, its product line related to the power transmission industry, producing such items as belt drives and line shafting. Purchased in 2007 by Altra Holdings, Inc., power transmission products are still manufactured today. Another longstanding Chambersburg business was Chambersburg Engineering Company, whose predecessor was the Taylor Engineering Company, established in the early 1880s. Taylor Engineering Company designed and manufactured machinery. It was purchased by William Derbyshire in 1897 and then became Chambersburg Engineering Company. The Chambersburg Engineering Company manufactured forging hammers and specialty machines. At more than one hundred years in operation, Chambersburg Engineering Company closed in 2002. According to the Franklin Repository Special Industrial Edition of 1909, Chambersburg, PA, was Queen City of the Cumberland Valley and the Borough of Chambersburg was “well worthy of consideration on the part of business men and homeseekers.” The diversity of the Progressive era on Chambersburg economy is evident in the principal Chambersburg products highlighted by the Franklin Repository as steam hammers, flour milling machinery, interior fittings, flour, creamery butter, shoes, knit goods, carriages and wagons, hollow building block, brick, furniture, bed springs, granite and marble monuments, steel and concrete bridges, ice, boilers, engines, and rivets. The diversity of product offered by Chambersburg was complemented by the growing strength of the railroad. The rail connected Chambersburg and all of Franklin County to key markets, both for industry and travelers. The availability of rail fueled such businesses as the Lake View Milling
Company, one of the finest in Pennsylvania and an international trader, located along Wolf Lake in Chambersburg. Wolf Lake, originally created by the damming of water to power the milling operation, became a pleasure park for workers of Lake View Milling Company and the community at large. Wolf Lake featured a wonderful dance floor called Dreamland, a hotel tower for visitors, a swimming area, a boating area, and playing fields. The rail served both the industrial needs of Lake View Milling and the pleasure traveler to Wolf ’s Lake. Lake View Milling Company operated into the 1940s. The Progressive Era solidly established the middle class in Chambersburg, adding more jobs in manufacturing than in any other trade. The strong foundation served Chambersburg well in the coming decade, bolstering Chambersburg as the tumultuous impacts of the Great Depression struck.
Three gentlemen stand by a sign for Miller’s Drug Store in Chambersburg
The work of destruction was commenced about eight o’clock in the morning, and by eleven o’clock the enemy had all gone, but so thorough had been their work that the major part of Chambersburg-its chief wealth and business, its capital and elegance-were laid in ruins. Ten squares of buildings were burned and two thousand human beings were made homeless, and many of them penniless. From this disaster the majority never recovered, but lived the remainder of their days in poverty. Reduced from affluence to poverty, many were dependent upon the charity of the few whose homes escaped the invader’s torch, as well as upon the provision made by the military authorities to meet their immediate wants. When the fire had subsided and the enemy had gone, the people who had taken refuge in the cemeteries and
fields around the town, returned to view the remains of their ruined homes. Sad
This order stated that this requisition and threat, burning were in retaliation for acts of destruction committed by Gen. Hunter in the Valley of Virginia...
cooking utensils, etc. But when night came on, and a place of shelter had to be sought, then only did they realize their sad condition. Such buildings as had escaped the common destruction were opened and were crowded to their utmost capacity. Some made their way on foot to the country, or to neighboring towns, and some removed to distant places, never again to reside in Chambersburg. Chambersburg was founded A.D. 1764, and was burned A. D. 1864.
indeed were their feelings when they stood by the scene of desolation, recognizing here and there among the ruins sonic articles which reminded them of the past, as broken and warped stoves,
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The Aftermath of The Burning The Franklin Repository newspaper of August 24, 1864 reported the destruction as: “the fairest town of the Cumberland Valley is in ruins. Half its people are homeless and very many are penniless and helpless. The stoutest heart must quail as the blackened walls, and withered shades of our beautiful village are witnessed, where were once cheerful and hospitable homes, heart some trees, and the busy hum of industry and the enterprise of our merchants….Chambersburg must be rebuilt….Its stores must be replaced—its shops must be resounded again with the sound of the anvil and chisel; its artisans must find the same demand for their handiwork, and its professions have the same duties as they had a month ago….new structures must soon turn it to enterprise and profit. “In short, the business of Chambersburg, in all its various branches, was imperatively demanded by the wants of the community, and it must be restored.” The newspaper went on to suggest that the reconstruction of the town would depend upon the determination and energy of its people. And that the best way to do that was
The scene at the courthouse after the fire ravaged the town.
to all strive together for the common cause by working side-by-side to accomplish the greater good of the community over the greater good of each individual. The newspaper predicted that there would be more monOne of the many ey to be made in the certificates for ca sh that the govern gave to citizens w town in the next two ment ho lost most of th eir things. years than in the past five. And that money will be made by relief of certain citizens outsiders who come in to take advanof Chambersburg and vicinity whose tage if the citizens do not undertake property was destroyed by rebels on it themselves. the thirtieth of July 1864.” And finally the newspaper issued In his book “The Great Invasion” a challenge, saying “One and all let us by Jacob Hoke, the author gives his resolve that Chambersburg shall be impression of the aftermath as folrebuilt, that her population will again lows: Chambersburg was “burned in sit down in prosperity where rebel the centennial of its existence, A.D. brutality made withering desolation, 1864. The beautiful county in the and when once resolved, the good midst of which it stands was rescued work will be more than half done.” from desolation by the thrift and In the North, the burning of industry of our fathers; the success Chambersburg was seen as a Conof the cause for which the rebels federate atrocity. The call “remember fought would have turned the tide of Chambersburg” echoed throughout its prosperity backwards toward its the North. original wilderness. That success was Nearly 600 citizens filed claims denied them, and civilization and asking the federal government to morality and religion triumphed over repay them for the damage. Reverend barbarism, immorality and oppresSchneck’s claim included the personsion, and in its consummation the al loss of his private library of over burning of Chambersburg bore its 1,200 books. part. It was part of the price paid for On February 15, 1866, the U. S. the great and glorious result finally Congress allocated $500,000 toward achieved.” the damages which were estimated at It took the citizens of Chambersthree million dollars including about burg nearly thirty years to rebuild the $1.7 million in real estate property town destroyed by the war. lost. The legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also allocated -Excerpted from an article funding for the reconstruction efforts by Bob O’Connor for the as they passed legislation “for the Franklin County Visitors Bureau ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com - 11
Transcript of Order to Burn Chambersburg Hd Qurs V. D. July 26th 1864 Instructions for Gens McCausland & Johnson
Cross your brigades at McCoy’s Ferry or Clear Spring & then proceed to Hagerstown & from their [sic] to Chambersburg. At Chambersburg levy $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Northern Money to pay for the houses of Andrew Hunter, Alexander R. Boteler, & Edmund I. Lee of Jeff erson Co. Va. which were burned by order of the Federal military authorities, & if the money is not paid, burn the entire town as a retaliation for the burning of these [missing] & others in the state of Va. by Federal authorities. Burn the Depots at Chambersburg & proceed from there by McConnellsburg to Cumberland & destroy the Bridges on Balt & Ohio R. Rd. as you go, & if you can, the tunnel at Pow Pow [sic: Paw Paw]. Levy on Cumberland $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Northern funds. Then destroy R.R. Shops, depots &c, & burn all iron works & machinery at all the coal pits in that region of country. Break up the establishment at New Creek & burn all bridges within reach. Gather all the cattle you can in Alleghany County & the adjoining county in Pennsylvania. Also from the Western part of Hardy, taking care not to disturb the property of good southern men in this county. Their cattle if fit for beef must be taken & paid for. Return through Hardy County towards Winchester leading the cattle through Brooks Gap to Harrisonburg. J. A. Early Lt. General
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Acts of Mercy Not all Confederate soldiers could simply administer the order without feeling for the people, who were displaced from homes. Reverend Benjamin Schneck records these acts of mercy in his book. “Confederate Surgeon Abraham Budd was conversing with several citizens when the demand for tribute was made, and he assured all present that the Rebel commander would not burn Chambersburg. In the midst of his assurances, the flames burst forth almost simultaneously in every part of the town. When he saw the fire break out, he wept like a child, and publicly denounced the atrocities of his commander. He took no action whatever, save to aid some unfortunate ones in escaping from the flames. Captain Baxter, formerly of Baltimore, peremptorily refused to participate in the burning, but aided many people to get some clothing and other articles out of the houses. He asked a citizen, as a special favor, to write to his friends in Baltimore and acquit him of the hellish work. Surgeon Richardson, another Baltimorean, gave his horse to a lady to get some articles out of the burning town, and publicly deplored the sad work of McCausland. When asked who his commanding officer was, he answered, “Madam, I am ashamed to say that General McCausland is my commander!” Captain Watts manfully saved all of Second Street south of Queen, and with his command aided to arrest the flames. He said that he would lose his commission rather than burn out defenseless people; and other officers and a number of privates displayed every possible evidence of their humanity. Colonel William Peters was a conscientious objector, who was a regiment commander under General Johnson. He refused to obey the order to burn and threatened to break his sword before he would burn the town. Peters was arrested, but returned to his command the next day.”
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Burden of Conscience On July 30, 1864, Colonel William E. Peters was faced with an incredible burden--follow personal convictions or follow military orders. Colonel William Peters and his 21st Virginia Cavalry were part of the advance troops, heading toward Chambersburg. As he rode to the hillside outside of Chambersburg, Peters did not know the purpose of the cavalry expedition. Once in the town, Peters was directed to move his men to the Franklin County Courthouse, arm them with torches, and fire the town. In disbelief, he approached General John McCausland to verify the order. Being a veteran of three years of war and a respected colonel of the Confederacy, General McCausland showed Peters the written order signed by General Jubal Early. Without hesitation, General Peters said he would not obey the order, stating he would sooner break his sword and throw it away than make war on defenseless women and children. Such an order was opposite of the Commander of the Confederate Army--Robert E. Lee--who directed “war be made on armed men” and “no unnecessary Col. William Peters or wanton injury to private property.” Yet Early’s orders declared “in default of the payment of this money, the town is directed to be laid in ashes in retaliation for the burning of said houses, and other houses of citizens of Virginia by Federal authorities.” Peters chose his convictions. General McCausland ordered Peters to collect his regiment and withdraw from the town and placed him under arrest for insubordination. Colonel Peters was not tried for insubordination. In fact, he was released to command the 21st Virginia as Yankee troops closed in at Moorefield, where he was wounded in the battle. Peters survived the wound, returned to teaching at University of Virginia after the war, and was thankful he chose to follow his conscience.
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Strong & Different Points of View News of the Burning of Chambersburg spread and was met with a variety of responses. In nearby Carlisle, PA, “The Carlisle Herald” encouraged active support. “There are many hundreds of people there today who are actually dependent on the contributions of the neighboring towns for their daily bread. Let stores of bread, meat, vegetables and every article of food be at once collected and forwarded to Chambersburg. Let us not cease our efforts to relieve the suffering until we know certainly that they are all as well provided for as we are ourselves.” An editorial in the local Lynchburg, VA newspaper was not as compassionate. “The Burning of Chambersburg. The people of Lynchburg have had prepared an elegant sword for the gallant McCausland, as evidence of their appreciation of his heroic effort to keep the brute Hunter from the indulgence, in this city, of his favorite pastime of plunder and arson. He deserves an additional testimonial for the taste he has given the Dutch denizens of Chambersburg, of war, such war as has been carried on in our country. … We have heard of nothing during the war that has given us more real pleasure – the only regret we feel being a dozen towns in Pennsylvania were not included in the conflagration … As a Christian, or even civilized people, we cannot delight in hearing that women and children, the sick and the infirm, have been turned out of doors, whilst their dwellings have been given to the flames. We acknowledge it to be a heathenish mode of warfare, unworthy to our age and country. We did not inaugurate it, and have been slow to accept it. But mercy to the enemy has bene [been] cruelty to our own people …” Editorial, The Daily Virginian, August 8, 1864 Credit: The News & Advance Civil War Archive
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Ted Alexander- Champion of Franklin County History Year after year, Ted Alexander spoke, wrote, and presented about the history of Franklin County. He worked for more than thirty years to educate the local community and the general public about Franklin County. Using everything in his power, he planted seeds of recognition and worked to make the public understand the importance of this place in American history. Ted authored, edited, and contributed to 10 books on the Civil War and other aspects of American history. He offered more than 200 book reviews and articles for publications like “Civil War Times,” “Blue & Gray Magazine,” and “The Washington Times.” He is the co-founder of the Chambersburg Civil War seminars with the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and contributed as the lead historian on the development of the Chambersburg Heritage Center. Thank you, Ted Alexander, for your passionate drive, long hours of diligent work, and helping to educate so many about Franklin County history. Because of your years of contribution, Franklin County has an event like 1864.
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$10 tickets in advance $15 at the door
Capito l Thea tre 159 S. Main St.
the after party Immediately after 1864, continue the party at Illuminate! Experience local emerging bands curated by Jay Combs and an interactive art installation led by NYC artist Niki Singleton. The project is a colorful light and found materials inspired house that will be built by members of the community as a symbol of what we build in our lives. ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com - 19
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