The New York herald., 1862-12-27
fredericksburg As Ii Is.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Enquirer. !
EprpTptcR suf-uu En Dnp IT 1


FREDERICK sBrRG, Va, Dec IT, 1862.
The day done, and darkness has settled into night.
wrote you last night Of what had heard regard 10
matters hereabouts TO night appeal to which
mine have witnessed, and observations com
the Brute Butler said, ofthe truth Of his,oryn
But where shall begin, or in what sequence shall
recount the sights which have this day Witnessed
Fredericksburg has been sacked and in part burned.
Would TO Heaven that not one stone had been left upon
another rather than should have been tho scene of
such Gendish work D Is everyw here dscernabe.
Had Satan in the councils of hell called together the
spirits OF the damned, and charged them TO pour
upon this people the concentrated vals of their wrath
honestly believe less mischief would have been done by
them than the "Unon restoring Yankees. The
sckens the sight, and human language is inadequate to
express the amount and manner Of injuries inflicted.
Not single dwelling, Office out house, in the town
escaped their Search use and abuse Where families
manned, IL was only 10 be nsulted by the rutany mob
whose incentive TO action, If not battle cry Booty
and destruction" most respectable gentleman of the
town, whose house had been plundcred on Thursday
night awakened by efforts made Friday night
force open fastening at once to admit them rather
than have his portals destroyed be hidden pre-
pare supper for the party ON replying that his pro-
visions had all been destroyed on the previous
night tho leader OF the mpudent gang Of thieves,
with pistol in hand, said, -. must see for~ myself tha.
what you say is,so.p Every we'll" said the gentleman
tscome on.n He did so, and. looking at but room
that sight enough for thievng Yankee. He said ,
General Patrick preston the day, and having known
him when here Military Governor extended his hand
him and asked for guard 10 protect his property
Preston replied with much feeling cannot take yoar
hand the time is past for that will protect your
property il can persuade the men not TO nura
effects you do II not must take the conse
quencesn THIS leads TO the observation that the pig
ing and wanton destruction Of property only per-
mitted BY those in command, but authorized In
other words the Yankee troops sacked the town their
reward for crossing the river. -
In proof or this Monday the day Of their departure
wagons busy running all day, carrying on bedding
furniture and whatever else they could bear away.
Tho damage the town be estimated az $3.50 oOO
and this think low figure. If,one should question this
he has visit the town and the amount of prM
perty actually destroyed, and then contemplate TIE
ton abuse which everywhere meets tie ge2c. Nearly
every In town has been broken winJws are torn
from their places shutters wrenchcd iorciby from The
walls fencing pulled down, scattered anl hrned beds
ripped open and the feathers as the cnee may
be- strswn over floors, STREETS aud aieys mirror Namos
scattered and there robbed o their gsso crookery
aud glassware broken INTO tbosand fragments printers
Offices pitched vi bour wasted every corner Of the
streets; the houses are riddlcd With shot aud
shell through sides and roofs; books taken from the
libraries backs of aud leaves q, ing 10 every drec-
tion, even chiidyen's clothing and ayhincs ripped
| 10 pieces and scattered r. The winds. Provi.
ssjonsA Of oil sorts stolen, and what could not
| be used, destroyed; Dead Yankees ara lying
In every Part of the town. and IN thic proson the
Fair grounds Every iron safe IN tha city cordibly
broke en- open and their contents absraoted far wss
valuable and tho rect coDsiened 70 the flames, Mer.
chants books of accounts IN ovory instance htihted