Cloudy and very hot. The Rebels are leaving Chambersburg for Gettysburg. About 3 this morning, I was awakened by the rumbling of heavy wagons. There were about 60 of them, followed by a large body of troops, requiring about two hours to pass. They were quite jubilant in their passage thru town, pulling my bell at the door and hooting at me. After their passage, all was quiet again, except squads of calvary passing to unite with their companies, all in the direction of Gettysburg. Somewhere near there is a heavy engagement. About ten, the town is vacant. The Rebels leaving their sick behind for us to nurse and care for. A few stragglers are to be seen, but the worst is over. We congratulate ourselves that we still have a roof over our heads. About 12, in the company of two other men, I walked out to my farm to assess the damage. Everywhere were holes cut in fences and grain trampled down by the exercises of the cavalry. I sustained a great amount of damage, nearly 4,000 men have encamped here. All of my fence gone, about 40 acres of oats and much damage to all other crops. My houses were all robbed of clothing and any kind of gear with which to work. The report was circulated that I was a Colonel in the Union Army and now made to pay greater than my neighbors. How unjust even your supposed friends can be. In passing over the fields and woods where they encamped, there is already a great stench. I found two Rebels hiding on my farm and would have taken them back to town. They would have been willing prisoners to obtain their parole, but a large body of Stewarts' cavalry was passing near and I advised them to hide. One gave me his bayonet, which I brought back to town. Back home, more reports come in of a battle near Gettysburg. All night long, more troops pass thru town, their yelling is terrific. I keep indoors.