Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-26
4 NEW STORY OF REBEL RAscALITY
THE sUFFERINGs OF A MAN OF sIxr,

4 NEW STORY OF REBEL RAsCALITY.
THE sUFFERISGs OF A MAN OF SIXTY.
The New York Tribune says: We have re-
ceived lengthy, eIaborately-written and most
interesting manuscript from Mr.. Samuel Pig
gOtt, late OF Virginia, giving some phases of
his personal history, and his experiences for
the past year in the loyal domnions of jeff
Davis * 90. That the full force of the nara
tive may be understood, and the great enormi-
~ of the outrages be comprehended at glance
IT is necessary TO premise that Mr.. Piggott has
reached the ripe age OF so years, and that his
wife, who shared with him his trials and pri-
yations, has also passed threescore. The sub
stance of Mr.. Piggotts story is as follows
Nine years ago he left the city of New
York with his wife, who was all his family, and
went ia a place called Mountain Cove near
New Haven, Fayette county, Virginia, where
he purchased large and beautiful farm, in
tending to make the place his home and
hoping 10 end his full ripe life in quietness
and pleasant rest. The farm he purchased
was one rather remarkable than otherwise for
its many comforts and conveniences. The To-
cation was one of the best in the county and
was, from its position, peculiarly well adapted
10 minister to the wants of the travelling COM
munity. There was upon the ground tavern,
grst mill, a ssstore, - together with the usual
outhouses connected with we'll managed farm.
Mr.. Piggott found the ueighbors kind, we'll
disposed, and sociable. Many of them showed
"a disposition to agree with him in the opinion
that free labor, in preference to slave toll, was
infinitely preferable for Virginia; and that
the adoption of labor exclusively free would
tend to '.raise Virginia TO a irst-class position
as manufacturing, agricultural, and CONNER
cial State.''
"These sentiments,' says Mr.. Piggott,
''were entertained by many in the State''
Ruf Mr.
sonSm was proclaimed, these convictions
were brought against us. This, coupled with
the fact that we were from the y orth, awake
I'd public clamor against us. Our nearest and
most trustworthy neighbors became our most
bitter enemies. The most absurd charges were
brought against us. Our asseverations Of in
nocence were entirely unavailing.
"Our advanced age and my weakness of
body might have afforded evidence that all we
could desire was peace; that though we loved
the Government and institutions under which
born, and had far gone through
liie's struggle, we were not in a position to
fight either for or against it with sufficient
force or activity to be regarded as of any con-
sequence in the impending struggle; that
though we regarded the flag of our country
with deep veneration, and feared to see a star
stricken from its bosom, or stripe tarnished
on It's folds, yet age and infirmity DISQUALIFIED
us from doing anything except TO look on, in
hope that the whirlwind of passion and folly /
that was raging around might soon be stiled, |
aud our country return to its wonted peace. !
Notwithstanding our unftness for such things, /
the captain OF the Home Guards, who became !
an oracle of wisdom soon as he received /
ms commission, publicly accused us Of hold !
ing secret meetings in the woods with the |
'tederals,' and of plotting with them against |
The confederate Government" This hero /
fudely aSsailed me on my own premises, and |
g.I-
child could easily have acc0mpliShed). Ny |
wife interposed, and said "will you use an |
aged, lame man unkindly ?'' He then !
SWore he would shoot US both, and felt for his /
pistol to carry his threat into execution. A /
nelghbor stepped up and prevented him from
doing He mounted his horse and rode off.
but before going swore he had us in his power
and would sheot US yet. This captain sent his
company and quartered them and their horses /
upon us. We were compelled to board and |
lodge the men, and stable and feed the horses.
without any compensation or even thanks.
"A company of Louisiana Rangers passing
'hrough on their route to Scarry broke into
my store, aud took away everything of value
they could find They took several watches,
d aIdlnous rlte, and large quantity of ammu-
milton. They broke down all our fences, and
stole all the fruit. We had to look on without
complaint. The brutality of the Captain of
Tue Home Guard, who was always around, like
an evil spirit, was so disgusting that the officer
ol The Louisiana Rangers reprimanded him for
Very severely. He replied that we were
Id Abolitionists, and entitled to no symps-
my The Louisianians said it would never
answer to use peaceable citizens in so rude
anu cruel manner, and ordered him to leave
Lie premises, or he would be taken care Of
lhis awful state of things rendered me COM
P'etely powerless, and my wife, being sixty
years Of age and weak in body, was overpower-
eu u Dy working and cooking for so many men,
aN OI them rude in their manners and indulg-
iDS IN constant threats against our lives. No
que can imagine or describe our mental suffer.
'"sS during this reign of terror.
About this time the battle of Scarry took
tlace, in which the Union troops were happi-
Z successful. The rebels retreated back to
TTe"-HaVen and came in upon US again. Gov.
"iSe vas among them. He ordered US to
'urhIsh provisions for his troops, which we
we're compelled to do. They then took from
Ile beautiful horse, worth about $500. AS
- saw him in the soldiers hands and heard
yeF expressions, wondering that a id
tSnAee should have so fine horse complain
~ 10 Gov. Wise of this act. He informed
f'e mat was a suspected person, and unless
sept very quiet worse would hefail me. 81