Early’s Raid – part 2 of Gettysburg Compiler 1911 article
Background post – Introduction to the Compiler article
In my last post, I introduced an article from an old issue of the Gettysburg Compiler that revisited the 1863 raid of Jubal Early through Gettysburg into York County, Pa. Here is the second installment from this old news article, reprinting in 1911 the original words of the editor when first published in the days immediately after the raid (and before the Battle of Gettysburg)…
Our unusually quiet town [Gettysburg] was kept in a high state of excitement all last week. Reports of the advance of the rebels were brought in almost every day, but all proved untrue until Friday [June 26, 1863]. On that day persons from Cashtown and vicinity reported having seen them in force. The 26th P.V.M., Col. Jennings, was sent up the road, and when about three miles from the town, the rebel cavalry [35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry under Lt. Col. Elijah V. White] came upon them, capturing some forty of the regiment. The balance got off, but as of the time of writing (Saturday at noon) we are not advised of their whereabouts.
At about 3 o’clock, sure enough, the rebel advance (cavalry) entered Gettysburg, charging up Chambersburg Street at a rapid rate, in pursuit of a number of persons on horseback who were hurrying off down York Street [these men were a detachment of the Adams County Cavalry]. They fired a few shots and the pursuers were halted. In a few minutes they [the rebel horsemen] had entire possession of the town, and their guards around it. They assured the citizens that they would not harm them, and fears should be quieted. This advance consisted of about one hundred and fifty men — White’s cavalry.
In about an hour afterwards, a (Georgia) brigade of infantry entered the town — General Early in command.
To be continued…
