The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-15
Vandalism Of the Rebels.

The latest act OF andaliSm OF the rebels IS
the burning of the town of Hampton, Va, an
account of which we publish in another column.
This was place of some 500 houses, near the
mouth of James River IL has been occupied
by Federal troops from Gen. Buffers command,
but they were withdrawn to supply the place
at Fortress Monroe of those sent to Washington
after the battle of Bull Run. Gen. Magruder,
OF the rebel force, Immediately took advantage
OF the absence of the Union soldiers and burn
ed the town, leaving only seven or eight houses
standing where the town had been.
This wanton destruction of property, without
any adequate cause is characteristic of the Sc
cessionists In this instance, the destruction
of Hampton could work no injury to the Union
army; we had no property there by the destruc-
ton of which we would be weakened. 1t was
a rebel town, and our forces had occupied it
more to save it than from any Importance 1t
possessed in a stratagetic view. But we need
not wonder at this act of cowardly and useless
destruction. 1t is of piece with great many
acts that have marked the course of the mis-
guided people of the South. With all the means
of enjoyment at hand-with all the assurance
of the National protection of their peculiar inst
tution i'll all its constitutional rights and priv
ileges that nearly a century's experience could
give with none to modest or make them afra d
always excepting The fear that walketh by
nigh" inseparable from the presence of a large
servile population-they have allowed them
selves to be led into rebellion and thence into
the destruction of millions OF dollars worth of
their own property. Never was retributive jus
tice more signal than in this instance. Viz
ginia, at this time, throughout her borders,
might have been enjoying all the blessings of
peace had she not allowed few amb itious and
dissatisfied spirits to lead her into this mon
strous rebellion. Virginia is more to blame
than any of the Southern States, because she
was more enlightened and ought to have known
better The utter causeleSsness and foiishness of
the rebellion Her people had mingled more
with Northern people, and they therefore knew
or might have known the utter fa .ity of the
representations Of the Southern traitors and
iebcls And her people dill know this, and
here is no doubt that large majority of the
voters OF the Old Dominion were in favor ofre-
manning true to the Union, but in evil hour
they allowed themselves to be led into rebellion
by few discontinued and aspiring politicians
In the place Of widespread destruction of prop
erty .occasioned by the occupation of her sol
by large contendng armes she might have
been enjoying the richest rewards OF peaceful
labor. Hei position would have given her PEG
pie advantages in the present contest that
| would have enriched them. instead of impovel-
ishing them. She has joined herself to the en-.
ennes of her country, and now if her towns are
burnt and their villages laid waste, and public
improvements destroyed, she has no one tc
blame but herself
r A wanton destruction of property character
t z-s the rebels everywhere. They have destroy.
ed millions of dollars worth of property in
: Virginia. Maryland aud in Missouri The
first act of the traitor Governor of Missouri was
) to burn railroad bridges and destroy the prop
! erty OF his own people, and ever SINCE the wal
5 in Missouri has been rather between destruc
f tionis and protectonists than Secessionsts anC
) Unionist. The loyal forces have had to fgh
to prevent the rebels from destroying their owl
property. Our forces lave been stationed al
along the railroads, to prevent their destruction
The State has run in debt millions of dollars t.
build railroads and equip them, and now Il il
bound to destroy the railroads, to spite the
5 friends of the Union.
r The rebels must be crazy to be thus anxious
to lay waste their own country. If they believe
what they say, that they will conquer the Gov
eminent and maintain the disruption of tht
Union and establish their Confederate Govern
mcntthey only rob themselves by their presen
, course, Ii Virginia aud Missouri are going Il
be States in hostile Government, their destruc
ton and impovershment would not spite the
loyal States in the least. What object, then
have the rebel citizens Ct those States in their
destructive course, but to crafty that rapacious
and intolerant spirit ehgendered by long con
tact with the institution of slavery