The aggregate valuation of the real estate, as made by a committee of upright and disinterested citizens, consisting of Messrs. Wm. McLellan, C. M. Burnet, Rev. Joseph Clark, D. K. Wunderlich, and John Armstrong, is $783,950. The loss in personal property greatly exceeds that of the real estate, but it is difficult, if not impossible, even to approach to anything like a satisfactory estimate.
In regard to the foregoing estimates of real property, I will merely add that they are low, generally speaking, very low. I say this, not because I find any fault with the judicious committee of gentlemen who made those estimates. I rather commend them for it; but for the purpose simply of mentioning the fact that the actual loss was much greater than the figures indicate. Thus, for instance, the Court-House is put down at $45,000, whereas an experienced builder has stated to me it could not be rebuilt for less than $80,000. The Mansion House (the printing establishment of the German Reformed Church), with a stone livery stable in the rear, is put down at $10,000, whereas $15,000 would not replace them as they were. Colonel McClure’s large and beautiful residence, with his spacious model barn, are put down at $9,500, but they could not be restored for less than $20,000. The banking house is put down at $8,000, but not less than $20,000 would be required to replace it. And so with most of the buildings. A million dollars will not suffice to restore them, and twice as much more will not cover the losses of such personal property as money can replace.
Many heavy sufferers are among those who had no real property, and hence their names do not appear in the above list. Some of the large business shops were in the front rooms of houses belonging to other persons. Thus the Mansion House, besides containing the printing and binding establishments of the Reformed Church, was occupied by Shryock’s large bookstore, Mr. Metcalf’s dry goods store, dentists’ rooms, saddler’s shop, &c. In many instances there were two, three, and even four private families living in one house. Many families also, whose dwellings were not burned, were nevertheless very heavy sufferers, having been plundered and robbed of their most valuable articles of plate, jewelry, clothing, &c. Hence it is perhaps not too much to say that the number of families who are sufferers is more than double the number of houses, as well as that the loss is double the amount in value, as compared with the loss of the houses enumerated in the list.
In conclusion permit me to add, that if our border is protected hereafter, and some reasonable assurance is given to our people that incursions by the enemy will be rendered impossible, our town will be rebuilt—gradually, but surely. If, however, no such assurance is given, and no effective aid for border defence is afforded; if our people are coolly told that the Cumberland Valley is to be “a trap in which to catch the rebels, and which must therefore be left open,” then, alas! there will be no heart to remain and rebuild the town; but, imitating many of our disheartened farmers, our citizens will sell out their realty and leave, regretfully indeed; but rather than be in constant dread and apprehension, leave they will, and allow the ruins of their houses and hearths to remain behind them, seeking some more sheltered or sequestered spot, where they may live and die in “quietness and peace,” though it be away from the graves of their fathers and their childhood’s “sweet home.”
Very sincerely yours,
B. S. S.
The scene of Miss McKeever’s new story is laid principally in New England. The hero, a Scotch boy, taken from the humbler walks of life, is a type of that struggling class that thrive best in our country. By his moral and intellectual worth, sustained by an unfaltering trust in God, he rises step by step, triumphing over every difficulty, until he attains a commanding position among his fellow men. The power of personal influence is illustrated by the acts of his daily life, moulding a peculiarly untutored child of noble impulses, and guiding her aspirations after the good and true. Roland Bruce and Madeline, or Madcap Hamilton, as she is sometimes familiarly called, the hero and heroine of the story, give a freshness and vigor to it, which, with the high moral inculcated, commend it to the favorable attention of all classes of readers.
New Editions of
EDITH’S MINISTRY. 12mo., cloth, price $1.50.
“We have already noticed, and always favorably, some of the earlier productions of this authoress, and take pleasure in commending the present volume to the public. It shows how blessed and happy may be the ministry of a single life, and how such a life, well employed, brings with it its own reward.”—Episcopal Recorder, Phila.
SUNSHINE, OR KATE VINTON. 16mo., cloth, price $1.
THE FLOUNCED ROBE, AND WHAT IT COST. 16mo., cloth, price 75 cents.
“The authoress is favorably known to the reading community by her works. They all sustain a high moral and religious tone, and are not only safe but salutary in their influence in every family.”—Christian Chronicle.
SINGLE COPIES sent by mail free of postage, upon receipt of the retail price.
LIBERAL DISCOUNTS given to Agents, or others buying to sell again. Address,
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, Publishers,
PHILADELPHIA.
PASTOR OF THE REFORMED CHURCH, CARLISLE, AND AUTHOR OF “GETHSEMANE AND THE CROSS,” “THE CHRISTIAN HOME,” ETC.
IN ONE VOLUME, DEMY 8vo., PRICE $2.00.
“No reader of the Bible can have failed to discover the prominent place occupied by blood-shedding in the Levitical services, and in the grand fundamentals of Christianity. The blood typical was the precursor of the blood shed on the cross. While some of the ‘voices of blood’ considered by the author, may be considered as only remotely bearing on the great subject of atonement, yet they are all designed to illustrate it. The atonement by blood is the marked feature of the gospel, without the shedding of which there could be no remission of sin, and the vitality of the gospel is lost where it does not stand forth prominently. It is the author’s design to illustrate this blessed truth, and he does it Scripturally and practically, that all may see the harmony between the voice of blood from the altar, and the voice of blood from the cross. The volume comprises much precious truth in various respects, and may be profitably read.”—Presbyterian.
“In this work, the author first analyzes the voice, its structure, functions, capabilities, as a material organ of the spirit; then the blood in which is the life; then blood as the voice which utters mighty truths and testimonies; then ‘the voice of accusing blood from the ground,’ beginning with the blood of Abel; the ‘voice of typical blood from the altar’ comprehending the Jewish sacrifices; ‘the voice of atoning blood from the cross;’ ‘the voice of martyr-blood from the church;’ of ‘sacramental blood from the Christian altar;’ of ‘pleading blood from the mercy-seat;’ of ‘witnessing blood from the judgment throne;’ of ‘avenging blood from hell;’ and, finally, of ‘glorifying blood in heaven.’ These topics are treated in a fervid and impassioned style which seldom flags. The reader is never wearied by dulness. Without endorsing every sentiment, we find the work evangelical, earnest, and quickening.”—Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review.
Single Copies sent by mail free of postage, upon receipt of the retail price.
AGENTS WANTED to sell the work, to whom a liberal discount will be given. Address,
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, Publishers,
PHILADELPHIA.
Footnotes:
[1] I take great pleasure in this connection to direct attention to a large photographic view of the Ruins of Chambersburg, by Mr. C. L. Lochman, of Carlisle, as the most satisfactory picture I have yet seen. The same artist has also prepared a number of smaller pictures and a series of stereoscopic views, embracing general views and the most prominent local objects of the town.
[2] Reference is here made chiefly to the New York Herald and the Tribune, both of which sheets have manifested a spirit towards our deeply afflicted sufferers akin to that of our worst enemies. The Tribune, instead of allowing itself to be corrected by the Hon. A. K. McClure, in the Philadelphia Press, turns aside from the subject with miserable jokes, as trivial as they are heartless. And these are our friends!
[3] Since the foregoing was written it has been ascertained to a certainty, that there were three thousand men, exclusive of the eight hundred and thirty-one who were in the town; almost as large a force as that which, one year ago, routed Milroy’s whole military force, cannon and all, at Winchester.
[4] Among the many thousands who have been quartered and encamped here, I have never heard of a single soldier who did not speak in the most grateful terms of the universally kind treatment towards them from our citizens. For proof I appeal to these thousands among the living, wherever they may now be found.
[5] This and several following paragraphs are quoted, with a few slight modifications, from a brief and well-written article by the Rev. Joseph Clark, in the Philadelphia “Presbyterian” of August 6.
[6] McCausland had also insisted upon burning the town in the night, to which Johnson persistently objected. Mrs. Greenawalt, a most worthy and intelligent woman, overheard this consultation of the officers in an adjoining room. The increased horrors which must have resulted if McCausland had not been overruled in his determination, may be imagined. B. S. S.
Transcriber’s Note:
The original text does not contain a Table of Contents. The Table of Contents included near the beginnning of this file was created by the transcriber as an aid for the reader.
The following misprints have been corrected:
"geting" corrected to "getting" (page 20)
"sacrified" corrected to "sacrificed" (page 23)
"guerillas" corrected to "guerrillas" (page 57)
Unmatched quotation marks were left as they were in the original.