By: Jessica Gaesser 8-1

This is a diary during the civil war written by William Heyser. This is his point of view of what the war was like for him during this period of time.

October 1st: John Mull and I visited one of the hospitals of wounded soldiers in the Academy Building. About 100 of them, mostly wounded in their lower parts, but some with their arms and legs off. They are well taken care of and plenty of supplies for their wants.

October 7th: Clear and pleasant. Every day we hear the sad strains of marshal music as the hearses pass carrying the dead from some distant the battlefield to be buried at their home. The hearses are draped with flags and the procession partly military. Every day the cars bring from 20 to 30 dead through our town.

October 10th: Rain today. A great saving for the farmers who were facing a great drought. Business is flourishing in town. The rebels are Mercersburg, and on the way to Chamberburg from St.Thomas. This evening they entered our town, demanding its surrender. Some 1500-2000 Calvary, with some artillery. They immediately took possession of the bank and telegraph office. Also requisitioned provisions, clothing, etc. As to their needs. It has all happened so quickly, we all felt safe knowing the Union Army was in Williamsport, MD. The Confederate troops all look well fed and clothed, and so far, conducted themselves orderly. They will busy stripping our stores and gathering up horses. I have sent my three off with Proctor, I hope they got away safely. I did not go to bed until after one o’clock, watching what may happen after all retire. So far, all quiet. Secreted some of my most valuable papers and went to bed, slept soundly until morning.

October 12th: Clear and pleasant, the Sabbath. All is calm, who would suspect that so much excitement had prevailed yesterday. However, there is much apprehension they will return. Some 2,000 troops from Maryland came this morning and encamped outside of town on the Baltimore Pike. I knew not of their coming and arrival until this afternoon. At three, attending a religious service at the hall among the wounded soldiers. Rev. Bausman conducted the services.

October 13th: Cloudy, a little rain. The encamped Rebels have moved on to Fayetteville, and across the mountain to Cashtown. There they went South through Emmittsburg and Monrovia to the mouth of the Monocacy. Thus completely avoiding the searching federal forces, and disappeared into Virginia. Their mission accomplished.

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A lot of soldiers in the war are getting hurt. They are getting shipped back to hospitals to try and save their lives before it’s too late. For all those brave men that have lost legs, arms, and other parts of their bodies for our country. Towns have changed so much since the war came into play. Business is going so very well that it is starting to take a city appearance. Everyday you hear sad music meaning that another person’s life has been taken at war. The dead body has been shipped here to be buried in its homeland. Everyday more and more dead bodies come through town.

The rain saved the farmers from their great debt. Now the business is better than ever. Rebels are in Mercersburg and on the way to Chambersburg from St.Thomas. They enter the town telling us to surrender. They have taken over most everything. Now William waits all night to see what will happen if everyone falls asleep.

Everything is nice and the rebels have left, but they are excepted to return . 2,000 troops are around the Baltimore Pike. Now the rebels have moved on to a new town. They avoided federal forces and went into Virginia. Their mission has been accomplished.

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