Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-12
The Burning OF Hampton.


Mr.. Scofield, a native of Darien, Conn, and
a resident of Hampton, Va, for the past five
years carrying on the general variety business
III that village, was there at the firing of the
Of the place by the rebels. About half past
eleven O'Clock on Wednesday night the rebels
arrived at Hampton and completely surround
ed the place. The poor inhabitants, at least
all that were left, were sound asleep, and
awakened by the sharp firing of the rebel
plckets and the Union troops of Colonel
Weber, who were posted on the outer side of
the creek. 1t was now about twenty minutes
past twelve o'clock Thursday morning when
Mr.. Scofeld noticed about six houses, down
town, being fired through the weather boards
with hambeaux or torches, apparently satu-
rated with tar An old female slave walked
through the place and awakened those who
had not heard the firing. All was hustle and
confusion. Mr.. ScoieId hurriedly dressed
himself in light suit lying handy to his bed,
and by the time lie had on his pantaloons and
shirt he heard loud knocks at the front door, and
before he could get out of the door his bedroom
was already set on fire by one of the torches.
In the confusion he escaped, but heard some
one say, "We want you" and Mr.. S. asking
who addressed him, was answered that il was
member of the North Carolina regiment.
| Mr. Scoheld, however, escaped having been
nred upon once by pistol shot, but fortunate
~ escaped unhurt On the outskirts of Hamp.
ton, going towards Old Point he met an old
acquaintance formerly of Hampton, belonging
to the cavalry, who answered to a question
why Hampton Was fred that the ''cursed
Yankees" having had possession of the place
once and evacuated it, they 1.-THE rebeIs) might
not get another opportunity, and they would
set fire to it at once and keep them from hay
ing the same for winter quarters.
Mr. Wilson Jones an old praV headed uan.
tlemen and his wife tUnionists) the coroner OF
Hampton, Mr.. Kennon Whiting and lady, and
several other prominent citizens of Hampton,
are at Old Point under the protection Of the
Old Flag they were born under, being kindly
cared for by Maj Gen Butler.
The village is complete wreck every
house is Quilted with the exception Of about
five at the north and south end OF the town,
which are the residences of Mr.. Moody, the
suffer at the fort; Miss Eliza Jones' Ia brick
bulldlng); the Episcopal parsonage the house
of Joseph Phillips, ii. Clay Writings store
and warehouse, and one or two small frame
houses on the outskirts
The reason OF these being spared was that
the rebels had no time 10 prosecute their hell
ish work further, being closely pressed by
Col. Weber's men, and the wind blowing
southwest swept through the middle of the
town, leaving these buildings untouched.
MT. oconeld was endeayorIng to save the
bed of Mrs Kenner, the lady with whom he
boarded, and had already procured wheel
barrow for the purpose OF carrying it off, wher
within about three minutes five rifle balls
struck within ten feet OF him. These missiles
came from the Turner regiment OF Col Weber
! firing at the rebels from the opposite side OF
I the creek. Mr.. Scofeld estimates that there
must have been at least five hundred rebe
troops in the village, and, from what he car
learn, reserve of upward OF five thousand
were stationed on what is called the cross
roads, Oh the outskirts of Hampton.
The enemy was well supplied with qusn
tity of ladders, carried on wagons, which bad
ropes attached. This would appear as if the
rebels Intended to get inside of our lines and
use the ladders in scaling. However, the rapid
and well directed firing of the twentieth regi-
ment skirmishes drove them back, and eau
TONED them that by further advancing they
would meet with well prepared and resolute
! check.