Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-31
SAM'L J. MULLINS, Sec'y.
A WINTER SPENT WITH THE YANKEES IN KING
GEORGE COUNTY, VA.


For the en-: ertainmelt and anus melt of our South
ern sisters, lady Of Kilg George has determined 10
give som account o: the doiag, Of the Yankees during
their Winter cim "a gu in the county.
When the ntruders took possession here we som ie
that we were in the midst Of our foes Oar public roads
were Immediately blockaIed by pckets No Intercourse
was allowed between citizens and, for msny reeks,
persons were denied the privileg, Of leav Dg their
homes Of course, such thing as visiting friends or
attending clurci, entirely ou: Of the quesli IN
Nothing relieved the monotony of our prison life
the daily appearance OF the Blue Goats " who could
not resist the temptation Of exhibiting Their rogui,h
propenses. Sonnet ley Soud steal elandestnely,
for in cunning they exceled and il would require the
watchful eyes Of an Argus TO detec; them. Aga n,
they would in the boldeS manner, COMM! their depre
daions in the broad daylight. Our poultry yards were
their avorte places Of resort and before ind guant
faces they would carry Off loads Of fowls All the
recompcnse they offered Us their insults and abuse
However, they not always SO successful such
bold expeditions Tsey had the undaunted spirit OF
the females to contend WITH who, soon as tie Yam
KEGS made their appearance would III to their tea
houses and bid deiiuce u any that might apprO9Ch
Indeed some of the ladies distinguished tn, NJ elves by
the in VIII ch they protected their domestic de
parments aud thus tn Earted the wicked des gns OF the
u
occupied entirely by iemaeS-no, man or boy on the
pace-and made his way 10 the poultry yaLd. The
fowls as soOU they the Yankee, flew away, tour
fowls are all "Secesh," and dOnG like the looks of
hungry Yankee) except u key that was setting on
her nest Toe Yankee wound her with his sabre, and
was about carrying Off his prz, when two o. the brave
you6g ladies' OF the household take from
him. After 20 conte ton, he sue eedtd in gCtung
the turkey on his horse havirg yet mounted him
self One Of the young ladies ran 10 eide the horse
and got hold OF the TURKEY, the Yankee being on The
opposite side holding OH to his pr also. So il
pull-pull-G led crous and amusing sceDe-one
having hold o. the head and the other the
legs Of the turkey. After q struggle the lady was
victorious, and bore the poor, bali dead turkey
of in triumph, the Yankee not daring 10 recover
it, being no doubt Fed by the determined bravery
of TIE young lady. lie highly ncensed at his dis
comhture aud told the lady he would kill two She
dared him TO a;tcmp it. He looked very wstiuy at the
turkeys and wisely conclu led not to execute his Unrest
remarSing at tn, same time, "What else can you ex-
pect when you have three brothers 10 the army?
The Young ladies' replied they wished they had dozen,
and they could put bu let through him. After lit
tie pareying the Yankee lefE doubt ashamed OF his
cowardly conduct. Near the poultry yard was ditch,
which he attempted TO leap, and in Going 20, dOC" came
borse aud rider spray On the ground One OF the
,d.s cried out in exul;aon, ii wish lie he'd killed
you'll" The Yankee, hoEever, was not much hurt aud
drawled out in reply lie nit do that SO t."
and, without further ceremony, took his departure
Sometimes the principal weapon of defence with the
ladies was hot wdter. About forty or fifty Yankees
went to private house their being 10 search for
concealed soldiers, but in reality they wanted to ste al
and plumber. Hot water poured from every window
before they i'll admttance into the hou g, and
the towards disappeared. COcdrdice seems to be
striking feature in the Yankee character, and it is
mystery why they should perist in trying to conquer
the brave Southerners. 1t is 'pllng OF Peion upon
Ossa"
Besides the numerous TROUBLES that encomplssed us,
we found enemies among our slaves. Many turned
against their oWners-gaVe the Yankees all the into
nation in their power and before their departure 20
Yankeedom did all theriury they could encouraged
no doubt, by the Yankees in their mean acts Their
audacity reached such height that they took their
masters teams carry themselves and baggage to the
camps-sometimes eveHkpgges and carriages they car
ried off to their imaginary "Haven Of rest" IL was
nothing uncommon Tor family upon waking in til,
morning to find their servans gone with ali their teams
Very often when they ted to leave their homes they
would bring escort of Yankees in the day tine TO
assist them in getting off their families. Tney would
take as much team they wanted, and march Off look
ing as if they felt very independent indeed L. at
such times could do nothing, but sigh for revenge
Poor, deluded creaures fancy they will Ind freedom
with the Yankees hard road TO travtll
The Yankees to glory in the destruction of prop
erty, especially the Slh Illinois Regiment OF Cavalry,
which did wards the ruin Of the people in the
Northern Neck of Va. than any others. There were
many vie Abolilioniss in tue Regiment Tde greatest
set Of horse and negro steaers that ever visited this
section OF the State. They will long be renemberedby
TIE citizens of King George for their hearess and ty
rauncal acts. The beautiful landscapes present far
different aspect from what they once did. Ga every
side are seen traces of the enemys devastating hand
Il is with much sorrow that contemplate the present
condition of our native SOL which looks ii the
sun of its prosperity had set forever but in this our
time of trouble, we do OF feel cast down We know
that we are warrrg OUR rights and justly seeking our
independence and surely God of justice will not de-
a nurca he
"a silvs lining to the present clouds that overshadow
u.s." We can and pH endure more hardshps and depri-
vstOns, if it be for the promotion OF the glory OF our
Southern Confedeacy and we call earnestly upon the
brave sons of the South to be true TO our cause fight
yaliantly and redre,s our grievances. PATIENCE