The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-08-20

two gentlemen, old acquantsnces, solcitious
/ for their fate, set out from the fortress, and
at their own risk went into the village, and
! found tho aged couple standing thero still un-
der the rays Of the sun, that were scarcely less
scorching than the flames that all night had
ragged around them. The protection which
WAS due to them from the rebols but was
worse than denied them, was gwen by the
that fidelity to the Government Was bu, hum
anity to men. Certain features Of Mr, Jones
case are peculiarly aggrsvating.
In the afternoon relative, holding an Of
flee in the secession army, csno to bis house
and after enjoying bis hospitalites, informed
him tha the order was out to burn the VII
lage So absurd WAS the statement that he
did not credit it, La the evening he went in :
to the streets, where all was quiet aud no ev-
ideuce of such purpose. Rebel guards were
stationed; besides this there was nothing un-
usual. About 10 O'Clock he returned to his
house and retired Scarcely had the aged
couple fallen asleep when they were aroused
by Il knock at the door, where a former neigh
Dor, aud, believe, relative of Mr.. Jones, ava
ted him, and informed him that ho had been
detailed specially to set fire to his dwelling.
Huuying back to the chamber of his wifi. and
informing her of the message they had barely
time to dress themselves and flee to the yard
with few articles, when the flames burst
through the house.
SO intense was the spirit of Vandalism that
no disposition was shown to spare even the
Old Chulch which is one of the land marks
connecting the past with tho present, where
Washington worshipped and whose as,ocia.
tions were sacred and ought TO have been re-
spected, though he could scarcely expect 50
much from men inteIt on destroying the
Government, of which Washington was chef
architect. The flames as they ascended the
steeple sect med to spit and his spitefuly at
tho tra,tora, who sr"ro nothing, h"w"v"r
crad--nelLher age, soX, nor holy antiquity, il
1t stands in the way of thei. designs.
The destruction was nearly complete. Less
than dozen buildings remain standing, In
mot of them, fire was kindlcd, but it did not
burn in all. | visited the village to-day with
a strong guard. The rebel pickcts were to be
seen skulkiug abon,, the main body having
" thirawn probably u Newman ket Bridge.
Word has been gwen out that the naming
houses will be fired to night, and the work
of devastation rendered complete.
No adequate reason can be given for this
extraordinary stop. The only one that ap
proacAcS to paus!bllity is, that the destruction
OF the village would deprive the Federal
troop, OF quarters, not only at present, bat
more especially this Winter. | will take tho
occa,i II t. intimate to Gen. Ma.rud"r, tn
the troops here have little idea Of wnt riug
in Hampton, but viii be OF small concern to
him, whether they do or not.
Bat few person white OF black, remain in
the town. The bells do not seem to have
carried away any negroes, most Of ten hay-
ing taken refuge within our lines. Some few
white PERSONS, including three or four tema.
les, ale not accounted for. 1t is not believed
that any lives were lost except in the fight at
the Brldsr.
When | visited tue village this afternoon,
so devouriug had been the fire that in only
few places tie smoke continued to raise. 1t
was u wilderness of ked cLimneys hnd tot.
tering walls. The old brick structure had
burned out, leaving them standing empty
shcIls-nonu'hcn,s to mark the footsteps Of
Rebellion. a few NEGRO women were scratch
ing in the ashes or guarding n few things Of
heir masters saved from the contlrryatiOn.
rs our little steamer ucarel the wharf u old
woman thus occupied made violent motions
Cor Us to keep Oft AT the same time running
toward Us ard shouting forth something which
we male to mcap: "De Srce>h are comm"
This is about the end Of Hampton, one of
the oldest, haniSomost, an | most aristocratic
villages in the Old Dominion; it has been
crushed utterly under the heel OF rebellion,
an nearly wippcl out forever