Clear and unpleasant. Reports of an engagement near Winchester. Our town in an uproar. Government property being loaded up and taken away. The drum calls for volunteers. All the army stores have been packed up and sent to Philadelphia. Little attendance at church and Sabbath School. Much of the news is false we hear, but it serves to upset the people. We all feel Pennsylvania will be invaded. Many families are hiding their valuables, and preparing for the worst. Some preparing to leave town. Tonight we have many sleepless eyes, the houses all shut up tightly, but the inmates astir. The stores are packing up their goods and sending them off, people are running to and fro. Cashier Messersmith is sent off with the books of the bank and its valuables. The cars are crowded to utmost capacity. The colored people are flying in all directions. There is a complete state of confusion. After twelve we got word the Rebels have entered Hagerstown. The stores are all closed, and the streets crowded with those that can't leave. I am urged to leave. As President of the bank, might be held responsible for its assets, which I doubt, anyhow I shall stay to defend my property best I can. At 8 o'clock a number of contrabands entered our town, fleeing from Martinsburg with the Rebels not far behind. These were followed by a wagon train, many on three wheels, and less being dragged and pushed as fast as possible. The street is crowded with horses and wagons, all in the wildest state of confusion. Upon asking one of them as to their plight, said the Rebels are not far behind. Suddenly about two hundred more wagons, horses, mules, and contrabands all came pouring down the street in full flight. Some of them holloring the Rebels are behind us. Such a sight I have never seen, or will never see again. The whole town is on the sidewalks screaming, crying, and running about. They know not where. The road into town is almost impassable by the teamsters cutting loose their wagons and fleeing with their horses. This further jammed up our town, some of the horses fall in the streets from shere exhaustion. One soldier was killed by the fall. After the panic subdues, the teamsters that had cut loose their wagons went back for them. At twelve the excitement is beyond conception. I am again urged to leave. Mr. T.B. Kennedy sent me a message, feeling it was a good idea. I have consented against my will-packing up my valuable papers and at two, left with Mrs. Heyser in my buggy, for Carlisle, committing the house to William, Proctor my colored man, and girl. After I left they did not stay,but put off for the mountains. Had difficulty passing the wagon jam on the road and answering questions, arriving at Stoughs town about 6 in the evening, where I shall wait for news. About midnight, awakened by the news that the Rebels were at Shippensburg. Dressing, we immediately left for Carlisle at midnight, being so dark and the roads jammed with wagons, made dangerous situation that I regretted leaving home in the first place. However, thanks to Almighty Providence, we arrived safely in Carlisle about 4 o'clock in the morning. Tried to get more sleep, but impossible, excitement here is mounting. We got a bite to eat, the horse fed, and left for Harrisburg. All along the way the news had preceded us, people out securing and leaving with their goods. Driving away their horses, and all shops shut up. Stopped in Mechanicsburg, a prosperous, but now excited town, to learn of fortifications being made for Harrisburg. We were advised to stay here, but decided to press on. On approaching Harrisburg, I could see the fortifications with a large number of men working on them. The railroad cars were filled with troops on their way to Chambersburg with artillary. We crossed the river without difficulty and found Harrisburg, in wildest confusion. Merchants shipping away their goods, families their furniture, and people fleeing in all directions. Almost laughable scenes some created. Stopped at Harris's Hotel. See few females, mostly men moving furniture and stores, the streets are almost impassable. The excitement is greater than Chambersburg. All the records of the state have been removed under the expectation that Harrisburg will be burned. Our state is doing nothing to defend itself against invasion. Gov. Curtain seems to be paralized and unable to act. We need decisions badly, and can't expect them from Washington.