The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-08-28
Rebel Treatment Of North Carol ina
Quaker.

Tho correspondent of the \. Y.
Tribune writes:
Tie leading particulars Of one Of
the most remarkable events in this
war, has just been communicated to
me. You know that many of the So
cicty Friends have long resided in
North Carolina. and that fundamcn-
tai article of their faith is Il refusal to
take up arms under any circumstance
whatever. In the early stages of the
rchclliou the rebel powers OF North
Carolina, well knowing their peaceful
principles. permitted them to pass
urrlo'ested, though known to be un-
conditional Union men. But rs times
went on disaster to the rebellion sue
cccdcd disaster, men. were captured,
killed or disabled to so fearful an eX-
tent that every one ont of the army
must he brought into it.
Early this year the conscription fell
upon the Friends. In one ncighbor-
hood. some twelve ofthem were draft
ed. In accordance with their well
known principles, they refused to join
the army. But everywhere the reign
of terror prevailed, and they were
forced into the ranks. Here muskets
were given to them, but every man OF
them refused even to touch the weap.
ons. Every conceivable insult and
outrage were heaped upon them; they
were tied up, ctarved and whipped
Still they remained firm to their con
scientious convictions, and refused t.
fight. Finally, the muskets were &c
tually strapped to their bodies.
One of these Friends was single,
, out as especially obnoxious, and wa
whipped numerically. The officer il
, charge was lawlcss and brutal, and oi
one occasion ordered him to he sho
rs m example to others. He calleC
, ont file of men TO shoot him. Will,
, his cXccutioners were drawn up be
, fore him, standing within twelve fee
, OF their victim, the latter, raising hi
, eyes to Heaven, and elevating hi
, hands, cried out in loud voice. "Fa
ther Forgive them, they know not wha
{ they do Instantly came the ordc
l to fire. But instead of obeying it tn
: men dropped their muskets and re
| fused, declaring that they could no
A Kill such man,
This refusal so cnraged the Office
Q that lie knocked his victim down i
| the road, and then stroye repeated.
to tramplc him to death under hi
e horses feet. But the animal persist
= emily refused to even step over hi
+ PROSTATE body. In the end they wcr
: marched with the rebel army to Get
II tysburg. In that battle they rcmaiI
II ed entirely passive, fired no shot, an
Il in God alone trusted for representation
o Very early iR the action the otllcC
If referred to was killed. The Fncnd
al unhurt, were taken prisoners an
If sent to Fort Delaware. Here by n,
d cident it became known in this cit
l. that several Friends were among IL
n captured, and two members of the s.
ciety went down to inquire into I'll
- circumstances, but they were refuse
~ permission to see them. They wcl
10 Immediately to Washington, and thel
,o obtained an order for their discharg
conditioned on their taking an affirm
,f alton Of their allegiance. This opel
"a ed the prison door The afIlrmatiC
a made, these martyrs for conscien,
n sake were released, and are now her
a. 1t is probable that more minu
N and accurate narrative of this ca
in will be prepared by some of the So'
is ETY..
tsl / heard from Lancaster this NOR
M ing, that old Buchanan is extreme
ha excited and alarmed about the d
to covery of his correspondence wi
bc JEFF. Davis, recently captured at I'll
os traitors home.