The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-14
Correspondence Of the Western Democrat.
YANKEE RAID.

/ kENANSVILLE, N u, july DIN, 1000
] Mr.. Editor: Yesterday was a sad day for DuPiiir
county. The sanctity of the holy Sabbath was dis
turbed by the SHOUTS aud yells of yandal horde OF
negroes and Yankees as they poured in upon the
peaceful, unofending citizens of Kenansyille The
| expedition was composed of GOO cavalry and
pieces of artillery, commended by Lieut. Col Lewis
| They came in over the main road leading from he.
Evansville to Newbern. guided by negroes who had
ran away from this section. small picquet force
of cavalry. under Capt Lane was stationed near the
village, part of which they captured. The gallant
Captain made his escape upon his horse, came down
through the village. loading his gun he ran
and firing at the villains who were in pursuit and
firing at him. One of them, having faster horse
than the rest, overlook him in the street. when the
Captain wheeled and shot him through the thigh at
the same time killing his horse. The Captain then
leaped a fence and made good his escape. =,
The Yankees and negroes then broke open the
Whitehead & Switzerland they stole $4,000 of
State money from the Sheriff, some $4,000 belong
ing to the Government Agent some thousands be-
longing to the firm &c. They then ripped up the
goods. stamping them beneath their feet lhey
took q large amount of money Il don't remember
the amount) FROM the store of Isaac Kelly, Esq,
made the negroes clothe themselves with the best of
the clothing, and did their best to destroy the
balance. They took all his horses, and in fact al
the horses in the place. .--.- -
/ understand the amount of money taken was
$50, 900, besides horses. negroes, &e. They took
the money and watch of DIR. Graham from his per-
son, searched the private residences. robbed and
plundered to their hearts content They tore up
and destroyed the bed-clothing at the residence of
Rev. Mr. Sprunt, who is Chaplain in the ConfeG-
crate Army and tried to ride their horses into his
beautiful residence; but the horses, having more
feeling of humanity than the devils WHO rode them,
positively refused to go. There were two negroes
in Jail who were to have been tried this week by a
special court for a capital offence. The 7 Yankees
broke open the jail, and took them out and carried
them off, They burnt q grist mill belonging to Mr..
Middleton and also the Sword Factory here and de-
stroyed the machinery.
They then made for Warsaw, village eight miles
from Kenansville, on the w. q w. r. R., which
place they reached about o'clock Sunday morn
ing. Frightened half to death for fear of two or
three hundred men who were at Magnolia coming
upon them they did not accomplish their ostensible
object j. e. the destruction of the railroad. They
tore up about one hundred yards OF track only,
which was repaired by shutdown the next day. They
came well prepared with clamps for twisting the
iron rails and only damaged some 25 80, cut
down the shade trees in the village, and cut the
telegraph wires. They said it too internal hot
to tear up railroads.! In the meantime squad of
destroying every thing they could. They set fire to
the warehouse in which the Government had stored
q small quantity of bacon and consumed it-loss
small. They remained three hours and left visit
ing the plantation of Col. Kit Hill and carrying off
l} negroes, 10 valuable horses &c, and from Thos
Hall, Esq, negroes, $1,000 in money horses, &C.
and even destroyed his wife wardrobe.
Our men went in pursuit, but the villains Travelled
so rapidly they made good their escapes. One of
them fingered behind and gave himself UP, saying
he was tired of the and wanted to get heme
Several expressed the same sentiments
The whole expedition was for plundering the citi-
zens, and nothing else. They took all vafuables
from a watch down to teaspoon.
/ give you the main points without detail: -
Yours truly, DUBLIN.