The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-11
DEPREDATIoNs BY THE ENEMY.

DEPREDATICNS By The EMERY.
Wherever the Linconites have landed on Vir'
giuia soil, they have committed the grossest out
RACES on the people. In addition to murder, ln'
sulting women, stealing money and property OF all
kinds, they cut down and trample upon the grow
ing crops. From our Virgin exchanges we copy
the following accounts of some of the outrages OF
the villains:
At Newport News they commenced on the farm
of Vim Smith which they left a complete wreck
He had 6ne field of wheat besides number of
truck crops. These the scoundrels completely de-
vastated, besides stealing and shooting down the
poultry which they found ranging about the farm
Mr. Smith thought he would be little beforehand
with them in saving hi. bacon, and had it buried
in the woods when be saw the troops approaching;
but treacherous negro told upon him, and the
robbers had the meat dsinterred and carried back.
This fellow with several other negroes they took
to Fort Monroe and PIT to work On the tortifca-
tons. Dir Smith loss is about 1000
They next visited the adjoining farm of Mr. West
which they treated they had done MIR Smiths s,
cutting up and completely destroying the crops of
all kinds. At Mr. Vests they unluckily found a
uniform coat, upon which they held him close
prisoner and sent off his two daughters, grown
women, to the Fort hostages for his good beha-
viour Nothing was alleged against them, but it
was the simple arbitrary act of Lincons hell
hounds. They then passed over to the farm OF
WIN. Lee, which had on it one of the finest crops
of wheat in the county, besides other valuable pro-
ducts. This they completely devastated, they
had done other farms. In short, they continued
the work of ruthless and reckless destruction on
every farm fronting Hampton Roads from New
port News to Hampton, committing every species
Of atrocity and gng the persons OF negro wo-
men and girls.
The families residing on this range of farms had
generally moved off TO the INTERIOR and thus avoid
ed the insults and Infamous treatment of the bar
barrie enemy. The woods back of Hampton were
for several days filled with the fugitive families
from the village.
1t is said that at least 800 slaves belonging to
Elizabeth City county have been taken to Fort
Monroe. Some of the owners went with flag Of
truce to request their return, but the demand Was
refused The bridge Hampton creek was
then burnt by our people to keep the enemy from
crossing. I he loss to the county is estimated at
S50V,0O0
When the vandals occupied Hampton they went
to the store of Mr. Lartimer and demanded posses
sion. MIR Lattner replied that they might have
his goods at fair value. They swore they would
have them and not pay cent, and officer drew
his sword and slapped Lattimer in the face with it.
Latimer then drew a revolver and shot the officer
dead Lattiner WAS then taken to the Fort aud
hung The officer killed Lieutenant. He
met dogs death in dogs
A gentleman named Morrow captured with
a uniform He stripped naked and marched
through the streets Of Hampton aud then carried
to the Fort as prisoner.
Can such things be done in this enlightened
age and not rouse to boiling heat the blood Of ev-
cry southerner? Will not every man who can
shoulder his musket and help drive back the viii
lains FROM Virginia soil?
The following extract from private letter to
gentleman III Memphis, dated Ironton, Mo-, May
%, 1861, gives the particulars Of the invasion Of
that town by the Lincontes, and affords faint
picture Of the Black Republican atrocities now
being perpetrated in Missouri:
Early yesterday morning gentleman came gal
looping up TO our house, warning us to hide, that
the Lincoln soldiers would be us shortly. He
said they had already shot at him. One of my
sons was in the field blowing, and [ to tell him
to hide. BY the time | returned heard the guns
firing in every direction, and the women in the
valley screaming. l then ran off and hid myself
where | could see the soldiers. They soon came
along, some horses and some on foot
My son. who blowing in the field, was seen
by them running through the rye field, and imme-
diately two soldiers horseback started after him.
They threw down the fences and pursued him.
They commanded him to stand and yield himself
a prisoner; he paid attention to them, but
on. They then shot at him, and came near strk-
ing him. Finally he gained the woods and escap-
ed.
Up to this time they had committed no depre-
datiOns In the house. The horsemen then return
ed from the chase to the house. They got an axe
and broke up my furniture, stole every cent of
money we had, split open my closet doors, and
scattered my groceries all round A gold watch
was hanging in one of the rooms They stole
that. They also stole coat, pair Of new
boots pair of pants, also rife, saddle and one
horse.
They took old Doctor of our town prisoner
They even took his pocket knife from him, but in
consideration of his deereptitude and age released
him after two hours detention
An old gentleman named Brown. a very strong
secessionst, aged near 80 years, they knocked
down, jumped upon him, tramped on his breast,
and injured him much that he is Obliged to
die.
THE FIGHT AT AQUA CREEK,-In an extra
of the Fredericksburg Herald we find the follow
ing in relation to the fight at Aqua Greek:
A letter dated June 5, says: THE Pawnce was
injured very much. There is doubt Of this as
she was all day yesterday opposite to our station
aud | examined her with large spy glass and
found she had large hole in her quarter i. G.
near the water line, under the side of her stern
We also saw men in boat mcnding her port side,
amidship You may rely on this Our batteries
shot ~ shot and shell, and struck six or seven