Monday June 29th 1863
The very atmosphere has been full of rumors today in reference to the movements of the rebels in P.a. & Maryland. Yesterday they captured a large wagon train (170 Six Mule Teams) within Ten Miles of this City. The train was on its way To Frederick M.D. The Rebels are probably in Harrisburg by tonight. A people which will refuse to turn out en mass to repel the invader deserves to have its capitol taken, and their Country laid waste. If nothing Else will “wake up” the inhabitants I hope that fire and plunder will. Genl Hooker has been superceded and Genl Meade is now in command of the “Army of the Potomac.” It is said today that Mr Stanton has been superceded as Sec’y of War by B. F. Butler. I hope it is so. This morning a Squad of Rebels came within six miles of Washington and came near capturing P M Genl Blair as he was coming to the City from his Country residence. They got his horse, which he was riding, he escaped in the woods. A Negro Regt (one thousand Strong) passed through the Av’e yesterday. I never saw a new Regt march better. We are expecting that communication will be cut off (with Baltimore) by tomorrow morning.
