It proved to be a false alarm that sent the town into a panic. The Confederate cavalry had rushed into Pennsylvania and captured the town of Chambersburg, twenty-five miles to the west. General Stuart’s men had looted farms, stolen horses, and burned the railroad depot and the government warehouses, exploding the ammunition stored there. Then they had ridden toward Gettysburg but turned off the road at Latshaw’s tavern, barely four miles from the edge of town.We didn’t sleep well for weeks after. Everyone expected the rebels to come galloping through our town without warning. Mama hid our silver and valuables in the woodpile. Many farmers decided not to risk losing their livestock to raiders, so Amos was busier slaughtering animals than he had been since the war started, and we processed a ton of cured beef in a single week.In the middle of December came news of a battle at Fredericks-burg, and, with surprising swiftness, a letter from Luke. I read it while walking home, then lied to Mama when she asked if there had been a letter at the post office.
