The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-26
THE BURNING OF GOV. LETCHER'S
RESIDENCE.

We print below document destined to become
historic The calm, disrassionate and truthful re-
cital it gives of the most wanfon and barbaric
acts of the needs comment to awaken the
indignation of every manly bosom. Our soldiers
in Maryland. who are reported to have laid in
ashes the residence of the Yankee Governor of
that State by way of retaliation have given prac-
teal expression to the feeling of our people, and
anticipated the judgment of mankind and the
dict of history. 1t is due to Gov. Letcher to say
that this letter was written with view to publca
ton, and in response to private communication
addressed him by the Mayor Of Richmond:
LEXINGTON, Va, July 5th 1864
Finding the Yankees would take
the town on Saturday (llth,) | left home near
midnight Friday night, and went to Big Island
in Bedford. where | remained until Wednesday
morning following, when, hearing the randals had
left, [ returned [ had previously heard that my
house had been burned, with all its contents.
The threats made by the Yankees against me- for
the past two years, satisfied NE that they would
destroy my house when they came Lexington;
but | always supposed they would allow the furni-
ture and NY f.mily's clothing to be removed. In
this however, l was disappointed.
When the Yankees took possession of the town,
DIR. Patton, medical director for Hunters army,
and who halls from Marion county, Va went 20
my house, ,old my wife he was unwell, and said he
room, supped and breakiasteG, and when break fast
nearly over, remarked in manner half jocu
lar half earnest to my little girl that it the last
meal she would take i'll the house. Shortly after, lie
LETT, without taking leave OF any of the family, nor
was he again seen by any of them
The threats made by soldiers Saturday even
ing, induced my wife to fear the house would be
burned, and she expressed her fears 10 the hear
ing of DR.. Patton and Capt Towns of New York
ly th.f I,o;,,
private citizen and the house being private proper
ty, burning it would be an nexcusable outrage,
and proposed at once to go to Hunters headquar-
tiers and ascertain. He went, and directed by
Hunter to assure my wife that the house would
not be disturbed. The sequel shows that the sole
object of this assurance was to quiet her apprehen-
sions, and thus prevent anything from being re-
moved About. half past o'clock,a IN (Sunday,)
Capt Berry aud his Provost Guard rode up, and
the officer called for my wife She came to the
door, when Berry informed her that he was order
ed by Hunter to fire the house. She replied there
must be some mistake, and asked for the order
He said it verbal order She then said to
him, 'Can it not be delayed until l can see Gen.
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 mo-
theirs, sisters, her aud her children's cloth
ing, which was insolently refused Immediately
and ignited it with match. 10 the meantime
my daughter had gathered up an armtu of cloth
ing, and was going out when he discovered her,
ran forward and fred the clothing in her arms
He then poured camphine in the wardrobes, bu-
reau drawers, and ignited the clothing-taking
out my clothing, which he said he intended to
take North.
Every house on my lot was burned save small
granerv over my ice house Not particle of
-four, meal CT anything edible was left, all having
been carried off on Saturday.
My mother, now in her 18th year, lives or the
lot adjoining my own, having with her one of her
grandchildren and servant After my property
about forty feet from her house, with no other
view than to burn her out also The house caught
twice, and would have been consumed but for the !
untirng. efforts Of Captain Towns, who made his
men carry water and extinguish the flames. This |
and my mothers family.
Generals Averlli, Crook, Sullivan and Dufie de- |
nounced the whole proceeding as an outrage, in
violation of all the principles of civilized warfare
and stated that Hunter alone was responsible for
these atrocities
feel grateful to you and other kind friends in
Richmond for their generous sympathy and kind
tender of home. There are no people on the
earth who have been uniformly kind than
the good people of your city. aud assure you |
appreciate their kindness, does also my family
Accept our thanks So soon as can visit Rich [
nond | will do so--perhaps this month.
am truly and in haste, your friend,
JOHN LETCHER.
JOSEPH MAYO, Esq, of Richmond.