Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-20
Another Yankee Raid in Greenbrier.

The Yankees have made another raid
into Greenbrier county, and succeeded,
as heretofore, in making their escape
without being hurt in the slightest de-
gree by our soldiers in that county
Though we have soldiers stationed at
Lewisburg or in its vicinity, $50 Yankee
cavalry came within less than mile of
the town, and succeeded in efecting
what seems to have been the sole object
of their mission. They burnt the dwell
ling, granary, stable and barn of Mr..
Austin Handley, living inst one mile
West of Lewisburg, and stole all of his
horses. The snow was or three inches
deep, and his family were turned out III
their night clothes-his wife barefooted.
Mr.. Handley was kept under guard un-
til his house was so far consumed that
he could not save anything.
Mr.. Handley is Sheriff of Greenbriel
county, and fortunately had sent, but a
few days before, the revenue to Rich
mond, by the Delegate to the Legisla-
ture from that county. Having accom-
plished this work of destruction at Mr.
Handley's, they proceeded near a hall
mile nearer to Lewisburg where they
burnt the barn and stable of Mr.. Joseph
Feamster, Jr., containing provender, six
horses, etc. They also set fire to the
dwelling house, which was saved by the
timely arrival of a company of Edgar's
Battalion. Beds and chairs We're used
for kindling the fire.
It would seem that the hirelings Of
Lincoln, despairing of conquering us by
war, have laid aside the sword and
grasped the torch Of the incendiary.--
Their cowardice is equalled only by
their fendish malice. Why did they
select these gentlemen as special objects
of their maliceg Why did they not burn
the houses and barns of more wealthy
men, whose farms they passed on theil
way thither? We may suggest reason
for it. Mr.. Handley is man of more
than ordinary firmness of character, and
has the honesty and boldness to speak
his true sentiments of loyalty to the
to the South and his utter detestation O
the Yankees. He possesses a spirit
which they have in vain attempted t.
bow. He had suffered greatly by then
before, but his losses only added greater
strength to his loyalty, and gave in
creased fervor to his detestation Of thu
Yankees. Last summer he lost, in the
first place, all of his steers and oxen
then all of his servants. He then pur-
chased other oxen, and did not have them
more than two days, when the Yankees
came and stole the oxen and all of his
mich cows. As if this were not enough
they next captured hano and took him te
their camp at Meadow Bluff as a hos
tage tor DIR. Rucker. Whilst taking
him on he told them that they NIGH
hang or shoot him, but that would no
prevent DR.. Rucker from receiving the
punishment due for his treason. In {
few days, he was released. Now, they
have burnt up everything he has; bu
we are satisfied, from our knowledge O
his character, that his spirit is as prou6
and defiant as ever. The enemy hate
and fear him.
We suppose they destroyed the prop
erty of Jos. Feamster, Jr., because hi
brother, Lieut. Newman Feamster, yer,
brave and gallant officer, with four 0
his men, charged last summer upon th'
advance guard of go Yankee cavalry a
Lewisburg, captured one, wounded an
other, and drove the whole sixty as hare
as they could ride back to their camp a
Meadow Bluff. AS they are afraid Il
meet the brave Lieutenant, they deter
mined to burn up the property of hi
brother. These gentlemen, Messrs Aus
tin Handley and Joseph Feamster, Jr.
living upon the road West of Lewisburg
have always been kind enough to Civ,
the citizens of Lewisburg warning of thu
enemy's approach. This may furnish al
additional reason to the Yankees 70
DESTROYING their property.
As the Yankees returned, they stol
two horses from Col. Saml McClung
and stopped few miles farther on, t
burn the Merchant Mill of Mr.. Henri,
Bunger; but about the time they 60
their dry wood prepared for the torch
a squad of our cavalry came in sight
which hurried the Yankees off befor
they succeeded in burning the mill.