Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-07-20
Yankee Out1ages In King William.

The Rev. William S%pottswood Fontaine, a clergy
man Of intelligence and education, was a few Gays
ago the owner of enc of the largest and handsomest
country houses in King William. His gardens, Or
namental grounds and orchards were of unusual ex-
tent and beauty, and the lovely aspect of his place
was calculated to disarm the enmity of fiends. His
residence was unfortunately situated near the high
way over which the forces of Gen. Dix marched, when
en- 90ute for the upper part OF King William. His
plantation was the place of encampment, for several
days, of the yankee army. Mr.. Fontaine was absent
from King William when the enemy were upon his
plantation, but his wife and daughters, who were at
the mercy Of the enemy, endeaVored, by yielding to
their demands for food, to prevent wanton destruc.
ton. Thousands Of hungry, clamorous, brutal
wrctches soon dcvoured all the stores Of the household.
The family was at last left without food, but the fe-
rocieus demands of the enemy increased, and for two
days these accomplished ladies were forced to endure
the rudeness and coarse insults of the yankees.
They shot the sheep, hogs, COWS, oxen, and fowls,
and destroyed crops, agricultural implements, stables
and barns, Of this unoffending clergyman. They laid
waste his gardens, orchards, and ornamental grounds,
but for a short time respected his dwelling house.
at last, however, they surrounded his house, yelling,
cursing and disappearing, a number of runaway ne
groes uniting with the yankee soldiers. They de-
manded food and threatened the destruction of the
houscif the starving ladies did not furnish it. This
they did whilst they were roasting the sheep and
calves they had slaughtered. Mrs. Fontaine told
them that she had no more food, as they had devourA
cd all. With brutal and profane language, they then
commenced the sacking of the house, the affrighted
ladies fled for protection, without a change of cloth
ing, to a neighbours. In a few hours they completely
sacked and gated the house. All of the costly fur.
nituro was broken to pieces with axes, and the frag-
ments piled in the rooms. The window curtains,
carpets and mattings, wero torn to pieces and fami-
ly portraits we're torn to shreds; marble slabs were
pounded to atoms with hammers. A we'll selected
and most valuable library of three thousand volumes
was torn to pieces and scattered over the grounds.
Hundreds of yankee soldiers probed the gardens
and yard with their bayonets for concealed valuables
until they found all the china, glassware, and
many other costly things, all of which they stole or
destroyed. The wardrobes, presses, trunks, &C., &C.,
of the ladies were broken open and every article OF
wearing apparel stolen or torn to pieces. Nothing
was spared, and, having completed the work of de-
stIuction they poured Kerosene oil on the m~utilate6
and torn furniture and bedding. The escape of thu
ladies of the house alone saved them from these
tiends in human shape.
The principal performers in this hideous carniva
of pillage were, we learn, Pennsylvanians. Our OK
ample OF leniency and mercy is utterly lost upon sucl
wretches. -Rich. ErGRiner.