Dear Sir:

I have not heard directly from my manager as he has been constantly surrounded by the rebels.  According to the most reliable information, my losses are as follows…  They took horses, carriages, and mules.… They burned down a furnace, two forges, and a rolling mill nearly new….  They took a large stock of provisions and some store goods….  The Government does not indemnify for such losses.  But all this gives me no concern, although it was just about the savings of my life….  We must all expect to suffer by this wicked war…..  If, finally, the government shall be reestablished over our whole territory, and not a vestige of Slavery left, I shall deem it a cheap purchase.

-Thaddeus Stevens, Lancaster, July 6, 1863