Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-07-28

From the Richmond Wing.
THE BUEsEiNG s:P GoVERNCa LETCHER's
REaE0ENCE.
We print below a document destined to become his
toric. The can dsPa hsorate and truthful recithl it
gives of one of the wanton and bar baric acts OF
the wer needs 10 CONNIE Mt to awaken the indignation
of every manly bosom. Our soldiers in Maryland, who
reported have laid in ashes the residence Of the
Yankee Governor OF that State, by way Of retaliation,
have given practical expression to the feeling Of
people, aud anticipated the judgment of mankind and
the verdict OF history. 1t is due to Gov Lecber to
say that this letter written with view to pubi
cation, and In response TO p private communication
addressed him by the Mayor Of this city The passages
omitted relates to personal matters.
LEXINGTON VA, July 5th, 1864.
Il Finding the Yankees would take the
town on Saturday Q1th) lett home near midnight
Fricay night and went to Island in Bedford where
remained until Wednesday morning following, when,
hearing the vanda5 had lett returned. had previ-
ousy heard that my house had been burned with all its
contents The threats made by the Yankees agaiost
for the past two years. satisfied me that they would
destroy my house when they came to Lexington bat
always supposed they would allow the furniture and
my familys clothing to be removed la this, however,
| was disappointed.
When the Yankees took possession OF the town, Dr.
Patton, medical director for Hunters army, and who
halls from Marion county, Va, went to my house, told
my wife he unwel, and said be must have room p
the house He took the room supped and bveakfasted,
and when breakfast nearly over, remarked, in
manner haocuia half-earnest, to L zze, that it
the last meal she would take in the house. Shortly
after, he left, without taking leave of any of the family
nor was lie again by any of them.
The threats made by soldiers on Saturday evening,
induced my wife to fear the house would be burned and
she expressed her fears in the hearing Of Dr. Patton
and Capt Towns of New York. Capt. fowls very
promptly said that l, being private citizen aud the
house being private property, burning it would be
inexcusabe outrage, and proposed at to go to
Huoter's headquarters aud ascertain. He went, and
was directed by Hunter to assure my wife that the
house would be dis urbed. The sequel shows that
the sole object of this to quiet her up
prehensors, and thus prevent ything from being
moved About half-past o'clock, O.. Ii. (SundayD
Capt. Berry and his Provost Guard rode up and the
officer called for my wife. She to the door, when
Berry informed Ter that he ordered by llutr TO
fire the house. She replied there must be mistake
and asked for the order He said it was verbal order
She then said to him, Can 1t not De deiayeo until
can Gen. Hunter 2? Iha 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 end her chill lrens clobipg which was
insoentIy refused. Immediately thereafter campteue
poured On the paror floor and igni,ed it with a
match. In the meantime my daughter had gathered up
armul of clothing, and going out when be dis
covered her, ran forward and fired the clothing in her
| arms. he then poured camphne in the wardrobes,
bureau drawers, and ignited the clohing-takng out
my clothing which he said be intended to take North
Every house on my lot burned save small
granary over my ice house. Not particle OF hourt
meal, or anything edible left, all having been car
ried of on Saturday.
My mother low in her 18th year, lives on the lot
adjoining my OWL having with her one of her grand
children and a servant After my property had been
fred the ends fired the stable, located about forty
feet from her house, with other view than to burn
her out also. The house caught twice. and would have
been consumed but for the unring efforts of Captain
Towns, vino made his men carry water and extingush
the flames This Captain behaved like gentleman
towards my own and my mothers family.
Generals Averill, Crook, Sullivan and Duie denouu.
ced the whole proceeding % On outrage in violation o.