Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-07-07
Vandalism.


seem to be Mortified at the enormities
which have been perpetrated by the rebels
d uriug their recent invssions of the North,
but have not word of censure for the
barbarities and enormities practised by our
own forces in their marches through the !
South. -.. s..-... r....-.-
While we denounce and condemn the
atrocities of the rebel soldiers 10 their dea-
lingo with citizens Of the North, at the same
time We cannot but express our dissent and
horror at the acts OF some of our own sols
die-s.
Far instance, take the correspondent Of
the New York Hibune's account Of the
manner in which our forces sometimes deal
with the towns and villages of the South.
Col. Montgomery, enc of our colonies, was
sent with the gun boat John Adams to
capture rebel Notifications. Hear bow be
executed his orders:
GAS the John Adams approached the
village (of Darien, Ga J she poured con-
slant shower of shot and she'll into the
woods, along the shore. and into the town,
as she came up to the wharf The few
'crackers" and paupers remaining 10 the
place ran frightened and terror.stricken in
every direction, and when Col Montgomery
landed his troops, he found not a single
armed inbabitant TO despute his right
Through the activity of some of the negro
soldiers, a few of these poor white trash"
were caught, who told the story of there
being Il strong cavalry force within FIVE
miles of the place, which may or maynot
have been true. At any rate, Col. Mont.
gomery, from the information obtained
from them, did not desist from his original
purpose, but marched nearly his whole
force into the town, posted his sentries and
prepared to do bis work. In few hours
all the valuable property he could find, of q
movable character, was transferred to his
boats. 4 large quantity Of second class
| furniture, considerable live stock, horses,
cows and sheep, rice and earn sufficient to
| feed his command for at least q month was
thus disposed Of
The inhabitants driven out and the town
| sacked, the next step in Col. Montgomery's
programme was to burn and destroy every
thing he could not carry off with him. In
few moments tho principal buildings
were in flames, and a strong southwest
wind prevailing at the time. the whole VIII
lage was snOn enshruuded in flame and
! smoke, and before the expedition returned,
not single remarkable habitstiou remains
| ed"
Now, such atrooiOus acts as these are q
| disgrace to orr nation. They are not only
contrary to the laws of God, and humanity,
but find no excuse in the laws Of war. And
the Administration by continuing such an
inhunan wretch in command participates
in the crime.
Civilization, humanity, christianity, and
policy, demand that outrages of the charac
ter recited above. should be denounced and
discounteuanced. Such wanton destruc
ton of private property can be of no bene-
fit to either of the parties in this war;
They certainly do not tend to q restoration
of the Union, but Oh the cor trary imbittel
the feelings of our advsrsaries to such {
degree that return of that brotherly feel.
ing so essential to Union Of the States in
the future, can Dever take place.
Col. Montgomery's exploits at Darien, il
by no means 40 isolated case. Since tn,
displacement Of Mcclellan and Buell. anC
other Generals who conducted their c1m-
mands in accordance with the ususges OF
civilized warfare, the marches of our ar
mics have too often been marked by pill
lage, devastation and ruin. Cities, towns
villages, and private residences, have beer
destroyed without STINT and the innocen
been made to suffer with the guilty.
These acts Of enormity on our part o
course called for like acts on the part o
our enemies. Hence the recent atrocitie
and destruction of private property il
Pennsylvania. But as bad as these out
RACES in Pennsylvania have been, they d.
not come up to what has been perpetrate
by some of our troops in the rebellion
States.
Instead Of settling an example of wand
nlism to cur eneLOies, our government
should have pursued policy of mercy an
justice. Destruction and robbery is n
part of the mission of civilized army.
1t is doubtless proper for q hostile iuvad
ing army to destroy all articles contrabanC
OF war, such as munitions, Notifications
stores. and to take what may be necessary
for their sustenonce, but to burn private
dwellings, to pilIage and steal, and to lay
the country in waste, is no part of the bus
mess of christian, civil zed or enlightened
army.
Already have The enormities committed
in this war, apparently under the sanction
OF the Administration, subjected us to the
inst criticism, sCOrn and contempt of civil.
lied people everywhere. 1t is no excuse
for crime to maintain that other partie,
have been guilty of like offsnses. If the
rebel leaders justify and practice vandal
ism, let the North, at least, not be disgraceC
by the name.
Indeed it cannot be denied that these
acts Of wantOnness and devastation, if yer
sisted in, will place reconstruction of tn,
Union beyond the range of a possibilit,
and stamp the American name with iafa
my and Disgrace.
ARREST OF A REBEL SYMPATnIzER.-Th
Joliet Republican announces the arrest o
a rebel sympatbiEer by Provost Marsha
LongwOrth in this city. If that pape
l tot h e.. Al