Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-07-22
Yhe Burning Of t.ov. Ietchef;5 Resi-


anu truthful recital it gius of one OF the
most wanton aud barbario acts Of the war
needs no comment to awaken the iudigna-
ton Of every manly bosom. Our soldiers
in Maryland, who are reported to have laid
in ashes the residence Of the Yankee Gov
ernor Of that State, BY way Of retaliation,
[ have given practical expression to the feel
ing Of ctr people, and anticipated the judg-
ment of mankind and the verdict Of history
1t is due to Gov. iletcher to say that this
letter was written with no view to publica-
tion. and in response to private communi
cation addressed him by the Mayor Of this
Lefty. The passegas omitted relate TO per-
sonal matters Vhq:
Lnxisares, Va. july 9Th, 1861.
IL g V y Finding the Yankees would
take the town on Saturday Cl1th) | left
home near midnight Fri1sy night aud went
to Big Island, in Bedford, where | re-
maiued until Wednesday morning follow
ing, when, hearing the yandals had left, /
returned | had previously heard that my
house had burned, with all its contents
The threats made by the Yankees against
lme, for the past two years. satisfied me
that they would destroy my house when
they came to Lexington; bet always sup
posed they would allow the furniture aud
my family's clothing to be removed Ia
tins, however. | was disappointed.
When ths Yankeos took possession oftbe
town, Fr. Patton. medical director for
hunters army, and who halls from Marion
county, Va, went to my house, told my
wife he was unwell, and said he must have
a room III the house. lie took tlle room.
snpped and breakfas:cl, AID, when break
fast was nearly over. rcmared, in O man
ner half jocular, half-earnest, is Lizzie.
that it was the last meal she would take in
| the house. Shortly after. he left, without
taking leave Of any Of the family, nor was
he again seen by any Of them
The threats made by soldiers on Satur-
day evening, induced my wife to fear the
house would be burned, she expressed
her fears in the hearing Of DR. Patton and
Capt Towns Of New York. Capt Towns
very promptly said, that |, Being { private
citizen and the house being private proper
| ty, burning it would be an inexcusabie out
rage, and proposed at once to go to Hun
ter's headquarters and ascertain. He went.
and was directed by Hunter to assure nv
wife that the house would not be DISTURBED
The sequel shows that the sole object of
this assurance was to quiet her apprehen.
sons, and thus prevens ANYTHING from be-
ing removed. About half-past o'clock
A. NJ Sunday Capt Berry and his Pro-
yost Guard rode up, and tie officer oaffetl
for my wife. She came to The door. when
Berry informed her that he IVES ordered by
Hunter 10 fire tue house. She replied there
must be some mistake, End asked for the
order. He said Il was a verbal order
She then said to him, 'sCan il not be de-
laycd until can see General Hunter ?"-
The order IS peremptory, he replied. and
you have five minutes in which to leave the
house. She then asked leave to remove
her mothers. sisters, her own and her
chlldren's clothing, which was insoIently
refused. Immediately thereafter camphene
was poured on the parlor floor and fgnited
it with match. Ia the meantime, nv
daughter had gathered up an armIul Of
clothing, and was going out when he dis
covered her, ran forward and fred the
clothing 10 her arms. lie then poured
camphene in the wardrobes, bureau draw
e.s, and ignited the clothing taking out
my clothing, which he said he intended to
take North.
Every muse on my lot was burned save
small Creamery over my ice house. Not
particle of flour, meat, or anything edible
was left, oil having been carried off on
Saturday.
Ny mother. COW il her 18th yea-. ives
on the lot adjoining my own. having with
her one of her grandchildren and a servant
After my property had been fired, the
iends fred her stable, located about forty
feet from her house, with no other view
than to burn her out also. The house
caught twice, and would have been con
sumed but for the untiring efforts Of Capt
ain Towns, who mLde his men carry water,I
and extinguisn the flames. This Captain
behaved ike gentleman towards my own
uui AiUttiSi .
Generals Averill, Crook, Sullivan and
DufFee denounced the whole proceeding as
an outrage, in violation OF all the princi-
Piles Of civilized warfare. and stated that
Hunter alone was resposiblo for these
atrocities.
+
feel grateful to you and other kind
friends in Richmond for their generous
sympathy aud kind lender Of y home -
There are no people on the earth who have /
been more uniformly kind than the good /
people Of your city. and assure yol up /
preciate their Kindness. IS does also ny
family. Accept oar thanks for IT,
50 soon as can visit Richmond Will De
50 j. perhaps This mouth,
am truly and il basfa. Tour feni, I
j. janN LsTeunR
josri.ll Mayo. i.>q Richmond, Va.
Gen .Johnsion> present. ndSifien I'll tAe
is strong noth Inv tufurc
ana urt. !ils engineers i.aya e,n here
before him with All aflny 81 Iabotets. select
ing the hrst POSITIONS, and Strengthening
them witll redoubis and, entertainments
In order % eijectuaily lalk hlns. the !iaisk
ing coI'sfan will be compelled 10 cross the
/