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[489] of all the neighboring towns in Maryland, remembering the incursions of the previous year, fled in crowds, with all they could carry off with them; horses, mules, and especially cattle, which they knew the Confederates were greatly in need of, were driven northward in large herds, and these caravans, increasing in size at every step by the fear they created on all sides, finally reached Harrisburg.

On the 16th the capital of Pennsylvania was in a great state of excitement, and while the people worked day and night in raising barricades and regular fortifications, which they would probably have had no means of defending, a solid mass of fugitives was hurrying along the left bank of the Susquehanna, thinking there was no safety except north of that river. Never, it is stated, had the bridge-toll produced such heavy receipts. It was precisely in the hope of not finding Cumberland Valley completely deserted that Jenkins was pushing northward so rapidly. On the morning of the 16th he entered Greencastle, the first Pennsylvania village, and reached Chambersburg during the night. He seized all the horses, cattle, forage, provisions, and medical stores he found there, paying in Confederate paper for part, and confiscating the rest; but his soldiers did not commit any act of plunder, and the inhabitants themselves were obliged to do justice to their discipline and good behavior. It is asserted, however, that he took a number of free negroes, whom he sent South to be sold as slaves. On the 17th, while people were expecting to see him continue his raid, and the Federals already believed that the whole of Lee's army was at his back, he suddenly retraced his steps and joined General Rodes, who with three brigades had taken position at Williamsport on the left bank of the Potomac. In fact, Ewell's soldiers had to wait for the two other corps, which they had left so far behind. Lee was obliged to concentrate his forces before entering Pennsylvania, and to hold them always ready for battle. Ewell's three divisions, therefore, remained between Williamsport and Winchester until the 19th, the day of Longstreet's arrival within reach of the latter city. Imboden, at the west, had made a movement on the 16th similar to that of Jenkins, and, occupying Cumberland on the 17th, had cut off General Kelley's communications with Maryland.

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