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War News: From Harpers Ferry (June 28th, 1861)
>From The Valley Register; Middletown, MD

Summary: A description of the destructive work of about 400 rebels who returned to Harper's Ferry after it had been evacuated by Confederate troops. Scared local citizens who had returned there or remained there ran into Potomac when the rebels approached and were fired upon as they attempted to get across the river. No one was hit. A B&O locomotive was toppled into the river and the bridge over the Shenandoah was completely burned. The rebels also set fire to one of the rifle shops. Some strong Union supporters were arrested and taken captive: E. H. Chamber, Hezekiah Rhoderick, John Chapman, Adam Ruleman, Nat Allison and Abraham Herr.

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War News: From the Upper Potomac (June 28th, 1861)
>From The Valley Register; Middletown, MD

Summary: There is a large presence of the Union Army in the Upper Potomac area including Williamsport, Sharpsburg, Point of Rocks, and Harper's Ferry. Capt. Doubleday's battery shot at rebel pickets in a house across the river from Williamsport. "The Federal Army is again in motion towards Virginia." Heavy artillery is in place at Williamsport as Gen. Cadwalader's 6,000 men will cross the river there. Three columns of Maj. Gen. Patterson's troops have reached the Potomac at Point of Rocks, Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry. John M. Stonebraker, a prominent secessionist from Sharpsburg, was captured at his mother's home. Union men Lt. Col. Bowman and Mr. Chase, who were captured by secessionists opposite Williamsport, are now "safe and in jail at Martinsburg."

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To the People of Maryland (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: The Middletown Home Guards and the Frederick Home Guards published resolutions that protested against an act recently passed by the Maryland Legislature which would disarm un-uniformed militia companies. The Home Guards do not intend to comply.

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Lieut. Col. Bowman (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: The Confederates recently passed a letter from Lt. Col. Bowman across the river at Williamsport. Bowman, who is at Richmond, stated that he is well treated and asks for clothing and money. “Bowman and Chase” are said to be well.

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More Outrages (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: Two Confederate regiments returned to Harpers Ferry recently, drove out the Unionists, and broke up boats they found on the Maryland shore.

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A Man Shot by the Picket (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: Silas Hines of Rohrersville was shot and killed by a Union picket serving near Keedysville. Advises persons traveling at night to use caution it if they have to pass military guards.

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Contribution for the Relief of the Sick and Wounded in the Hagerstown Hospital (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: A relief fund is being created to raise money to help treat sick and wounded soldiers in the Hagerstown Hospital. Citizens are urged to make donations to O. Swingley and B.F. Kendall, who will make the funds available to Dr. Hammand, the surgeon of the hospital.

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Important Movement of Gen. Patterson's Division (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: All troops stationed near Hagerstown have concentrated near Williamsport, except for a Connecticut regiment. An advance into Virginia is expected.

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Another Fatal Accident (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: Recently a picket posted near the Tunker Meeting House near Sharpsburg mistook a fellow soldier for the enemy and shot him. Pvt John Helsel from Johnstown, PA died “almost instantly.”

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Another (July 3rd, 1861)
>From The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light; Hagerstown, MD

Summary: James A. Mifflin of Shippensburg, PA, who was a teamster in one of the Pennsylvania regiments, drowned recently while bathing in the canal near Williamsport.

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