Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-27
THE YANKEE ARMY IN JACKSON.

The following, with some abridgement is the account
given in the Mssissippan extra of the occupation of
Jackson by the Yankees
But short time elapsed after our troops passed
through before the enemys cavalry dashing into
town Their infantry soon followed, and the Yankee
ensgu was displayed from the capitol amid the shouts
of the enemy.
Their forces camped in and around the city to the
number of least Thousand The officers assured the
citizens thattheir persons and prvae property should
be protected that nothing but government property
should be destroyed, ETC.. but that their army was
greatly excited and they feared, would be hard to
troll provost guard posted throughout the city,
and for time matters proceeded quietly enough under
the circumstances. But no 500 er had their troops
ranged their encampments than the soldiers pour
ing in the city by hundreds. Then commenced a scene
of pagng and Wholesale robbery the parallel of which
has probably not been known, in city SO small as
Jackson, since the war commenced. The guard could
not prevent il, even had they been inclined.
Stores were first entered and the effects of IL
ouor we're evident. Bands of drunken ruffans then
began their rounds and continued rowing from dwelling
TO dwelling, first, generally, demanding something to
eat and then approprating everything conceivable
Safes drawers desks, bureaus, Wardrobes ETC.. were
broken open and their contents either carried of de-
sroyed or scattered around the premises This conn
ued nearly or quite all the night. Some few families
called for guards for their dwellings, which in no case
was refused so far have learned and, to "give
the devil his due, all such dwellings, escaped.
But on the next Friday morning destruction on the
erandst scale commenced by orders The railroad tracks
we're utterly demolished for between two and three miles
10 all directions including Pearl river bridge and the de-
pot buildings and platforms burnt Then the torch
applied to the Government shops and factores-Phl-
lips wagon mandatory, Green's cotton factory Ste
phens iron foundry the Government storehouses Bal
ieys cotton she'd which contained immense quantity
of cotton, sugar and molAsses all the sugar and mo-
asses deposited in the vicinity of the depot both pub
lie and private shared in the general destruction.
All the -four, meal and provisions Of all kinds that
could be found anywhere land think they found it
all what in :he hands of families and some of
these did not escape) consumed scattered in
the streets Every grst mill in town was burnt
Gen. Steele took his headquarters at Col. Mabrys but
his presence was no protection. Every room pill
Aged and every mouthfu of provisions taken from him.
Brgadier General Tute made his headquarters at the
residence of Mr.. f. T. Cooper editor Of the kssissp
pan where they destroyed the fences despoiled the
smokehouse, burnt up all the papers and books, and
when they were about to depart set fire to the house in
three places but through the opportunities and strategic
representations Of two faithful old servants the fire
was put out and the building saved The negroes pleaded
that it was the only home they had and they were too
old to move away For your sake" said the Yankee
General "the house Is saved but IL get hold Of the
damned rebel editor win be very different With him."
The State and city public buildings were spared, ex-
cep the Penitentary, which was used by the Govern
ment for manufacturing purposes. The convicts bad