Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-30
The Yankees in Elizabeth City.


We publish below, as we promised to do IN our
last some extracts from letter written by lady
f Elizabeth City to her husband who is absent
rom that place on duty outside the Yankee lines.
Comment on these extracts is unnecessary. They
will excite the ivelest sympathy for that devoted
town, and the deepest indignation against our enc
mics, who have even gone SO far as to arm our
slaves to aid them in their work of spoliaton, in
suit, and devastation -
al have been thinking for time whether or not
should let you know the true condition of affairs G this
part of the world aud after debeatiou have
cluded that had better do So although know it will
you great uneasiness But think after ALL you had
better hear it from than from any else In the
first place. have suffered more or less ever since the
of the acts Of their Captain (Saunder in letters
heretofore written you but from know not
what seems you have not received them Well matters
hayegraduaily been growing worse all the WHILE until
at length the people resolved they would stand it long
On Monday night last Capt Saunders and Joe Nc
Cabe, (you know the miscreant their way to
negro party eight persons concealed behind
the bricks Nichols Hotel rather the place where
it Stood fired them and killed both. One of the
aSsaants in the direction of house. jumped
yard fence and under the house. shot fired
after him. which struck the house and frightened very
much Utter confusion and terror prevailed The whole
town in few minutes filled with excitement and
alarm. The house almost instantly surrounded by
armed negroes but they made attempt to enter it, The
next day it reported you here and last night
OF the men accompanied by to search
up and Dress and when opened the door, the first object
saw, was a negro armed with a musket. You may be
sure was angry. The white man. whose name is Fowler
and am told deserter from your company apologized
for his intrusion but said he compelled obey orders
told him could not imagine how so ridiculous report
got III circulation but said you may rest assured If Mr.
- were here you would require a much better guard
than you have to arrest him. He said he did not know
about that, you mig bit find your match cannot describe
my feelings; but endeavored TO restrain Them knowing
we were In their power but oh my DEAR it is hard to
bear.
his tbavD JoII1 Al nd
called for three hundred volunteers. They have armed
about two hundred and know where it will end
The brother of Saunders who commanded the Buoes in
Camden mas come here TO take charge and vows to be
vengei While am writing, heavy cannonading is going
town or not But my trust is in God. To Him alone do
look for he and succOr in these perilous Oh
that lie may protect US against the cruel and malignant
do not think any place has suffered more than Elizabeth
City bids fair to suffer number of citizens have
been arrested, Messrs. Whedbee Dawson Keenger and
A L. Butt among the number Several gentlemen from the
country are also IN arrest, but have learned their
Others am told in irOns and say they are be
hung Oh! that Gov Vance could send troops here
TO assistance. believe he will do fit in hspOwer
can get along with every thing but the negroes but
confess am afraid of them. Mine thus far are at
home and act usual but understand the Yankees say
that those who do not to them Voluntarily they intend
TO take.
FRIDAY January 9th. =
commenced several DAYS ago writing this letter. as you
will perceive by the date but the bomb shells few fast
and there much confusion 10 the town,
PEELED to stop. Our enemies determined to give all
the trouble III their power Never has such trouble
been seen here before Our citizens had meeting day
to and prove Capt Saunders the brother of the one
that killed that they knew nothing about the natter
but he said he would not believe every man. woman and
child in the place. though they might Tse next
morning notice was stuck up requiring every male inbab
tant sixteen years of take the oath Of allegiance
To the Lincoln government leave the place. Hence the
trouble great many have not the of taking their
families with them. and afraid to leave them behind
went out to-day for the first time in three weeks and
the appearance Of the of startled
They Look though they had been sick for weeks
upon weeks Not smile was To be upon single face
II those who ready to call this Union hole could
BE- here they would be compelled to change their opn
IONS No people are more loyal TO their government than
the people of Elizabeth City, Nothing but the ne
cessty will induce hVm take The hateful OATH
all who will leave the place. But oh it heart
ing for them to think for moment of leaving their wives
and daughters at the of armed negroes No
blame them for refusing do They saw If there was
regiment of ankees here they would then know precisely
what do but they can't to leave them with ne
groes The Lord helPus, for vain is the help of
SUNDAY NIGHT, January l1th.
promised you on the other sheet that if thing worth
mentioning occurred before met with opportunity Of
sending this letter to yon, would let you know it.
think If possible, our troubles increase. am my wits
end To know what do for the best great many of our
people going to Leave and the probability is that the
place will again be deserted Mr. Kennedy Mr. Whedbee
Mr. OTermau and many Others talk of going to Norfolk
They compelled To leave between this time and
Friday. take the oath The people nearly crazy-
The BuAoes are constantly expecting guerrillas and say
they come the town will be shelled great many la
dies went Capt Saunders this morning but got
satisfactory assurances from him. would not CO. for
intend to ask fayOis of them know it would be
less for could place reliance in promise they might
make.
You say in your last letter that we may vet lose all we
have of this worlds goods. Very think we ore in
fair way to lose all very The negroes are all de-
clared free, and expect to leave every day.
has changed much, and spends of his at the
water with the Buaoes asked him yesterday if he was
going To leave, and said he hadn't Iactly made up his
mind. told him he make it up and that quickly for
did not intend feeding him unless he did nv work.
told TO day that be thought his labor worth more
than his vicuas and clothes. told him then to 90 else
where and work. have doubt but that they will all
leave later, but it gives trouble Since
have them armed almost despse the whole race
had rather cook and wash all days than bear with their
consequential airs and Rtolerable iusoence
Mr.. GrlfinS negroes made plot to kill hun the other
night and he had to fly for his life lie took family
and went to Hartford but had to leave every thing behind
him. 4
This poor return to make for your cheerful hopeful
letter, but have tried TO give you true statement of af
fairs knowing that the will reach you through other
channels and will probably be made ten than
it really is"
Letter from Gen. DOckery,