They'd probably have to let the Pennsylvanians they
The real question, I think, would be the consequences of Meade overrunning Lee's supply train. No booty from Pennsylvania and Maryland presumably has at least some effect on Lee's ability to feed his army in the coming months.
They'd probably have to let the Pennsylvanians they'd enslaved go, at least.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Ma-XQ2KqkyIC&pg=PA137&output=html&source=gbs_toc_r&hl=en
As many as 1,000 men, women, and children were enslaved by the Army of Northern Virginia during the Gettyburg Campaign.
And, it is worth noting, with the knowledge and acknowledgment of senior rebel officers, including (at least) Longstreet, Pickett, and Sorrel:
http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/or/R151733
And an eyewitness:
Near Boonsboro, Md.,
July 15th, 1863
Dear Wife,
I seat myself to pen you a line, not knowing when I shall have another opportunity. We marched to this place today from Williamsport & a very
hot day it has been too. Yesterday morning it was found that the rebels had left our front, & we marched to the river at Williamsport. Our Cavalry
came on some of them on this side of the river & captured a few hundred of them & two pieces of Artillery. They kept their doings a secret
or I recon they would have not got over as well as they did. I suppose some will blame Gen. Meade for letting them cross the river, but it is
impossible to tell the doings of the enemy unless you attack in force or have means of getting around them for a thousand will make as good a
show as 100 thousand. I don’t know what our movement will be now, but make a guess that in a week we will be in the vicinity of Centerville &
Fairfax….
I saw a sight yesterday that beats all I ever saw. A Negro boy that the Rebels left in a barn, entirely naked. His breast cut & bowels were scratched or cut & the Dr. said that turpentine had been put on him & also his privates had been cut off. I went in the barn to see him but it was rather dark.
He lay on his back, his legs bent, knees up, & grinding his teeth & foaming at the mouth & seemed to take no notice of anything & breast & bowels
looked as if they had been cut & then burned all over. I understand the reason of the act to be because he would not go over the river with them….
Yours,
C.K. Leach
C. K. Leach was 1st Lieutenant Chester K. Leach, Company H, 2nd Vermont Infantry. His letter was published in Ted Alexander’s 2001
North & South article,
“A Regular Slave Hunt: The Army of Northern Virginia and Black Civilians in the Gettysburg Campaign.”
Best,