The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-05

] q 2
For the virginian. &
The Lincoln Tyranny. =
Nessrs. Ed7itors-It was my pleasure, q few
days since, to make the acquaintance Of . ys-
~ interesting family who had been banished
their home ii Northwestern Virginia, by the
miserable tyrant, Abraham Lincoln. During
the late expedition IF Gen. WIN. q. Jones into
that section Of Virginia, he enjoyed, IN the
hospitality Of many citizens Of that place, true
friends of Southern rights. A few days sitter
che movement Of Gems. Jones and Inboden
from that point back to the Valley, one Gen.
Roberts entered the little town with three bri-
gades, full-of malice against the unfortunate
citizens, particularly the ladies, who had only
exhibited the usual kindness Of their nature
to Gen. Jones' command, and bent on revenge
for the greatoutrage they had committed in
simply giving refreshments to Southern sol
disrs. For their objectionable crime, on Sa-
turday, the 10Th Of May, the offended majesty
Of Abraham Lincoln, by his fitting instrument
Of tyranny, Gen. Roberts, issued : solemn or
der requiring LIS feeble old men end helpless
women and children, to be removed beyond his
lines on the following Tuesday. The order
was rigidly enforced, applied even in one in
stance to a feeble young lady on her denth:
bed. They we're not allowed to make sale Of
the most tivial article of their personal effects.
and were restricted to sixty pounds Of bag
gage, including the trunk that contained il,
and one hundred dollars in gold or silver or
green backs. No piece Of dress goods, I'M
less actually made into . garment, were they
allowed to bring away. They were denied
even the poor privilege Of bringing family
portraits. Every species Of property was
left in the hands of the Vandals save their
wearing apparel alone. The iDfamous order
required the Provost Marshal to arrest and
send out every sympathizer with the rebels,
and every one whose natural protectors we're
in the rebel army. ~
The family. Of Mrs. Bailey consisted of her.
self and four daughters, but unfortunately for
her, she had son in the Southern army nm
der 81 years of age, whom Yankee law con-
strued to be her natural protector, and for
this alone the feeble old lady was driven
from her home and sent in exile to starve, las
the Yankee General said) with the rest Of the
accursed rebels. dust here Gen. Roberts
admitted, in conversation with Mrs. B., that
they had bat one General that could meet
Gen. Lee successfully, and that was 6 General
Staruation.) Surely this opens a darker page
in the history-of Lincoln tyranny than savage
warfare contains; for better by far that the
quick stroke Of the tomahawk should destroy
them, than helpless women and innocent chill
dren should be subjected to the slow tortures
Of death by starvation. But the cruel acts of
this hell born fend multiply so fast upon Us,
that we are Mortified to contemplate them
The punishment Of s. Of his chosen victims
in Lewis county, was commuted to confne-
tment in Camp Chase. and 62, after being sub
jected to every variety Of insult and harsh
treatment on their journey, were dropped, at
o'clock at night, in field near Woodstock,
and kindly told to shift for themselves.
g This completes . hafdrawn picture Of one
Of the rarest scenes of cruelty ever enacted
by the worst Of tyrants. The family alluded
to, am grsti6ed to state received every mark
OF kindness from the gallant and noble-heart.
ed man of our county thsn in command Of the
valley troops who generously offered them
the comforts Of his own home, where they are
now pleasantly situated, and where we can
assure them they will receive the sympathy
OF his friends, who will endeavor to make
their exile at least tolerable.
Will not President Davis retaliate? Why
not make room in East Tennessee for the ex-
lies from New Orleans. from Ky. q N. w.
Va? Whilst cruelty cannot be justified by
argument, yet acts like these demand retalia-
ton. s. ...As i
D6r The following are the orders referred
to in the foregoing communication: $.
HEADo'Rs I'm. D1v. MIDDLE DEP'r.,
e WESTON, NV. Va,
May 10th 1868. j
GENERAL oRpEH ss 81 "a. +
Is No. Is. 80
l. The Major General commanding ths De-
partment has directed that all families within
the lines Of this army whose natural protectors
have Joined the rebellion against the United
States, by taking up arms or going and remain
ing within the country occupied by the Confe-
derate armies. be sent beyond our military lines.
IF. All officers and military commanders,
within the lines Of this army. will see that these
instructions are strictly carried out.
III. The humane policyof the Federal Go
ysrnment to give protection to families Of rebels
within our lines on the observance Of strict neu-
trality has been SO shamefully used as the means
Of treacherous and reasonable intercourse and
information with the enemy, that its discontinue
ance has become necessity
BY order o. Brig. Gen. B. s.. RoBsars,
Signed JAS. MEG. BELL,
e =, g Captain and A. a. GU. s. a.