Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-06-11
Federal Evacuation and Confederate
Occupation of Winchester.

Mr. George A, RoeIlle, Of Baltimore. who
OpcLod shoe Store IN Winchester imme,
dialely after its occupation by Gen. Banks.
and who remained there four days after
its recent capture by the conf.derates, and
then made his escape, makes detailed
/ statement Of what he witnessed. which is
published in the Baltimore american and
| from which we make the following ex,
/ tracts:
Mr.. Roelke, in common with the mil
| itary, ridiculed the predictions constantly
bei2E made by the rebel citizens that
jackson would again he back and obtain
possession OF Winchester. On Saturday
Path they received intelligence Of the
lout Of Colonel Ken!y, which caused some
uneasiness but the military were sure that
General Banks would he able 10 hold Win.
chester and he, with others, went 10 bed
on Saturday night jully satisfied that no
danger would be incurred by remaining.
He was awcke on Sunday morning by the
sound Of cannon and musketry in close
proximity and whilst hastily dressing saw
the federal troops retreating through tho
town. lie hesilated for few moments
what to do, and by the time he reached
the street the relel cavalry were following
in pursuit. Here we may add tlst Mr.. X,
assures us that lie did not see or hear Of
any shooting having been done by females
whilc the federal troops were passing
through, and is sure thai no female was
Shot in the nc, OF firing, as claimed to have
been done. Some Of the rebel citizens
joined in the fight from their houses, but
he heard nothing Of females fighting.
"The stories Of the burning of the two
hospitals with all in them are entirely un>
true. Neither of the buildings were in
jurel, and the wounded, both federal and
REBEL were brought in and deposited in
them, and were receiving as good atten.
teutIon as they were capable of giving
them. They, OF course, suffered for want
Of attention, Lui all suffered alike. lie
saw or heard Of no brutality to the woun.
dcj or prisoners. The rebels were in too
good humor with their success to be harsh
with any one.
"On Tuesday nearly all the prisoners
from From, ROYAL were brought into Win
chester The rebels claimed that there
were fifteen hundred of them bat Mr.. II.
Is of the impression that there was not
more than half that number. The woun,
dcd were taken to the hospital the pu.
vates were confined in the Court.hou,e
and courtyard and the officers were re.
leased ON parole to 50 where they pleased
in The town.
"Goi kenIy was suffering, butnot Sc.
verely or dangerously, from % sabre wound
on the side OF the head, and was taken 10
tho private house ct Mr.. Barton, o lawyer
whero ho was receiving every attention.
The whole number of federal prisoners
in Winchester includiug the sick aud
wounded, he estimated at nearly 5000 -
They We're confined in the T.. ilroad DEPOT
the courthouse, md other buildings. The
,armera brought a great many struggling
prisoners into the town ON Sunday and
Monday. who had sought food and saccar
from them. only to he delivered up to
their enemies.
The only destruction Of property in
Vino chester at the time Of the evacuation
was that of the buildings containing the
federal commissary stores which we're fir
ed by order OF General Banks. The flames
extended from them 10 +. Rosenberg's
store and the Express office, both ofwhich
were consumed. IIe storehouses contain
ing ammunition aud forage were by ex-
press ORDERS from General Banks, not des
troyed, and fell into the hands of the en-
emy. The firing Of them would have lev
elled the whole town and destroyed the
inhabitants, there being large amount Of
powder and ammunition, which General
Banks did not feel justified in doing,
"A large number Of stores, principally
those Of suttlels and other army followers
together with train OF army supplies, ali
fell into the hands Of the rebels, and were
by The troops, who came into
the town almost 10 q starving condition
The prisoners were also nearly starved.
but were soon provided for with the other
troops.
* number Of the wives Of federal off
GERS were also in Winchester, having fail
ed to make their escape in timo, 1hos
who did escape and were overtaken o.
were sent to our lines N
Filday last