Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-16
THE BRUTAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
REBELS AT HAGERS TOWN,
what the Ladies Say Of Them

SlSteI, IesSAluS III Iase's'o"b, -oe' Nv i-S'Ss
bears date Of July IL:
II suppose that You are aware that the
rebels have visited us again; but thanks - an
all wise Providence, we are once more de-
hyered from set OF thieves and muru -rers.
They came into town last Tuesday atiernpon,
about three o'clock, bpt many OF our merchants
ano cinzens anticipating their arrival, Ett Tor
parts unknown, carrying with them ne best
pornoh OF tnelr goods ana valuaoleS
1--WE nad a small force OF Union GO V airy
patroling the town from Sunday night until
the arrival of the rebels Sayppt.rn OF our
men were taken prisoners in front OF the
Lutheran Church, but had they folio ged their
Lieutenant, they would have escaped. 1t
seems that they were not aware tina, the rebels
had entered the town, and they rode right IN
among them. Lieutenant Winchester, who
commanded our cavalry, determined 70 Gu,
his way out, or die in the att mpt, and h ac-
cordirgly dashed through them, the rebel bull
lets Il y ing around him al the time as thick as
hail The rebel General (McCausland) rode
up to Lieutenant Winchester, when they both
drew their re yolyers and fired, but fortunately.
the Lieutenant escaped, and II his men bad
followed him they would have gnt of also
I'VE have been in the creates terror, and the
few hours the rebels weIe here were the dark
est We have ever experienced. The VI hole
rel Ell army, which visited us last summer, was
nCthing to compare 10 these cut-thrJas, As
soon as they were in town they commenced
stealing every horse that they could lay hands
on The yard attached 10 the Lutheran Church
was selected by them as a corral, in v hich hey
placed their stolen stock
General McCausland, who commanded the
rebel troops, rode do GH lnto the public square
and demanded that 500 90 aud IJN sults OF
clothing be furnished him within tyo hours
In case the citizens faIied to comply with this
demand, he threatened TO burn the town We
Were at the mercy OF the wretch, anu a meeting
was Immediately called, consisting of the mos
prominent citizens of the town. After holding
a consultation they concluded 10 give the
800, ,0G0, but the clothing was no 10 be had, as
there was not l,50O outfits IN the town, the
ciothing dealers having previously sent nearly
all their goods away. In this emergency What
was to be done George W. SmILh, ESQ wen;
to General McCausland and proposed % give
s50,OG0 in lieu of the outfits, as the clUhin was
not to be obtained. McCausia nd turned his
back on MIR. Smith, and replied in the f.ll1w-
ing words :" By the eternal God, If you do not
comply with my demand in one hour [ will
fire the town" Hon. j. Dixon Roman was
then sent for, ana went TO intercads with the
blackguard, (for he is not worthy o. the name
of GeneraI,) but it was of no avail. McCaus-
land rejected all OF Mr.. RS propositions and
said: "No, by God, will set my men loose to
pIunder the houses, ravish your women. and
burn the town" Mr. Roman then went 10 the
Town Hall where the citizens u ere assembled
and denounced McCausland as 8 villain and
blackguard. Finally IL was decided to ndeav-
or and comply with the demand, aud after dill
gently searching all the stores and private
houses sufficient quantity OF clothing was
obtained to fill the requisition. This. however
did not satisfy the marauders for they broke
open every store and robbed them of their con.
tents. Such articles as they couId not take
with them they threw into the streets and de-
stroyed.
"The next day they came 10 town after the
Government stores, and all that they could not
take away with them was burned or DESTROYED
In one way or another. The Government
grain was stored away in old Mr.. Eichelber-
gers warehouse, which they threatened 10
destroy by fire, but upon the men, women and
children promising to go together and remove
the grain TO the street and burn it, they spared
Aah fn-
ing this privilege, which was paid by the Hon.
VIM. T. Hamilton. They destroyed the engine
house at the railroad, but it is impossible for
me to tell you all the damage they did, or
what we citizens suffered. They refused to
let the citizens use the engines on the prIvlte
buildings while the railroad properly was
burning.
"a dark pail seemed TO hang over Hagers-
town, and every house in the place vas closed
Many Of our citizens did not sleep for five
nights, as they expected every moment 70 be
burned ont. ..,...- ia
These rebels got about two thous and, horses
while here, and robbed every man and woman
in the county they came across. AT Sharps-
burg they went into a dwelling and demanded
the silver ware Of the lady of the house. She
had concealed her spoons about her person, but
one OF the villains knocked her down and took
them from her. sl s..
THE ladies OF this town desired that the
place should be burned, instead of aiding the
enemy by giving them money. In case that
rebel Gen. McCausland is ever taken prisoner,
the Government Is that he be turned over 70
them to be dealt with, and You can rest as
sured be will receive his Just reward.
When the southern chivairy received their
new clothing they undressed on the court
house pavement, without any regard for mod
esty.
"Among our merchants " no lost very heavily
were ID. O. Aughenbaugh, druggist; p. 3 Small
and John Knodle, shoe Dealers"
sS The following verse commentaries the
N a hmm lVrx-u r,h, 4,
There was small boy CT Pawtucke.,
He bought him an orange tosuck il,
He had long nose,
And, as you may suppose,