Alarmed

calling on all creation

The May 30, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly criticized the Lincoln administration for not trusting the Northern public. The editorial pointed out two examples – locking up traitorous speakers like Clement Vallandigham and not immediately announcing military defeats. 150 years ago this month the editors at a small town publication in New York state criticized the administration for not being more forthcoming about the rebel invasion of Pennsylvania. Keeping quiet had “filled the public mind with alarm”. Newspapers apparently were getting used to information off the telegraph, but nothing was coming “over the wires”.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in June 1863:

The Invasion of the North.

The new from Virginia is startling. The Confederate army under LEE has abandoned Fredericksburg, crossed the Rappahannock, and, appearances indicate that they have determined on an invasion of the North. – In the absence of all intelligence from Washington it is difficult to tell what is going on. It is certain, however, that a part of LEE’s forces appeared in the Shenandoah Valley during the latter part of last week, and that on Friday last they attacked Gen. MILROY at Winchester, defeating and driving him from that place with great loss of life. Gen. MILROY admits a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded. His force was 10,000 strong. All his artillery was captured by the enemy. On Saturday our forces at Berryville were attacked and defeated, and on Sunday the rebels appeared at Martinsburg, and demanded the surrender of that place. The officer in command refused to comply, when the enemy made an attack and drove us to Harper’s Ferry. It is stated that Harper’s Ferry is now in possession of the Confederates, and that the greater portion of LEE’s army is in that immediate vicinity. The rebels have invaded Pennsylvania as far as Chambersburg, putting the whole State in a blaze of excitement, and Gov. CURTIN has called upon all creation to come to his assistance.

seat of hostilities

It’s quite possible the Lincoln administration did not have that much information it could have shared with the public. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln,
Volume Six:

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL COUCH.
WAR DEPARTMENT, June 24, 1863.

MAJOR-GENERAL COUCH , Harrisburg, Pa.:

Have you any reports of the enemy moving into Pennsylvania? And if any, what?

A. LINCOLN.

Andrew Gregg Curtin served as Pennsylvania governor throughout the war.