Today in History:

June 18, 1863

Warm. The Rebels have left Chambersburg taking with them about 250 colored people again into bondage. Gov. Curtain is presently very unpopular. Left Harrisburg for home about two o'clock, in the afternoon, by way of the turnpike. Traveling thru very beautiful and fertile countryside. Had tea in Carlisle, pressed on for Stoughs town to spend the night. Here we encountered many colored people fleeing the Rebels, as not all have left the area. These poor people are completely worn out, carrying their families on their backs. Saw some twenty from Chambersburg that I recognized. Some men from Shippensburg urged us to turn back, that danger was not past, but we decided to press on, even though the night was black, stormy, and the road dangerous. We were glad to see the lamps of Carlisle. Little did we know of the perils that had been in our way, Almighty Providence led us thru safely. It will be a journey my wife and I will never forget. I suggested she write a book about our adventurous journey. Weary and tired, we went to bed.