invasion digest

A Democrat paper recapped Jubal Early’s July invasion. Lee had Grant stymied at Petersburg, so the Confederate force could drive north and achieve some well-defined objectives. By the time this article was published the rebels had already recrossed the Potomac.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in July 1864:

The Rebel Invasion.

For the past ten days the news has been of a very exciting character. A most formidable rebel invasion has created no little alarm for the safety of the Federal Capital. The force that entered Maryland have apparently succeeded in obtaining what they were in pursuit of, and returned in good order. The telegraph now assures us that Washington is safe! This is most encouraging news.

The retreat of Gen. HUNTER from Lynchburg into Western Virginia, was a most fortunate circumstance for the Confederate forces. LEE no longer considering Richmond in danger of GRANT’s army, sent a force of from 15,000 to 20,000 up the Shenandoah Valley, for a threefold object. In the first place, to secure crops in the Valley, now reaped and stacked; in the second place, to capture all the cattle and supplies he could in Maryland, as well as to destroy the railroads; and in the third place, to alarm the Federal Government so as to compel the withdrawal of forces from Gen. GRANT to protect Washington and Baltimore. In these several objects he has been eminently successful. Over three millions of dollars worth of stores, it is stated, were captured at Martinsburg. On Saturday last a severe engagement took place at Monocacy, Md., lasting nearly all day, and ending in the repulse of our forces. The Secretary of War says we lost “heavily.” Our men falling back to Baltimore, gave the enemy full sway, and he certainly improved it. For several days all railroad and telegraphic communications was cut with Baltimore and Washington, and but for the timely aid rendered by the forces from Grant’s army, Washington would, undoubtedly, have fallen into rebel hands. It is stated that the 2d, 5th and 18 Army Corps were sent from Grant to Washington.

The news this morning is that the enemy after capturing all the horses, cattle and supplies in the vicinity of Baltimore and Washington, have safely re-crossed the Potomac, and are now encamped at Silver Springs, some 20,000 to 30,000 strong. – Thus ends the great rebel raid, which has so alarmed the country for the past few days.