North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-11-30
Horrors of War.

The LVerpooi (hngiand) G0Wl5r OF the
18Th nlt., publishes the following letter ad-
dressed to the Federal commander in Vlr
ginia by theiwife of gentleman whose house
was burned in jefferson county, Va:
SHEpHERDsrowN, Va, July 30, 1861.
General IIunter-Y Yesterday your under
ling, Captain MartindaIe. tf the "F,rst New
York Veteran Cavalry" executed your in
famous order and burned my house. You
have had tie satisfaction ere this Of receiving
from him the information that your orders
were fulfilled to the letter the dwelling and
every outbuilding, seven IN number, with
their contents, being burned. I, therefore, a
he,pess woman, whom you have cruelty
wronged, address you, maj II general of the
United States army, and demand why this
was done ? What whs my offence ?
Ny husband was absent, an exile. He
has never been a politician, or in any way
engaged in the struggle now going on, his
age preventing. This fact David Strother,
your Chief of Staff, could have told you.
The house was built by my father, lcvolu-
tionary soldier, who erved the whole sever
years for your independence. There WAS
born; there the sacred dead repose; 1t was
my house and my home !; and there has your
niece. who lived among rs all this horrid war
up to the present mcment, met with ali kind
mes. and hospitality at my hands.
Was it for this that you turned me, my
young daughter. and little son out upon the
world without shelter? Or was it because
my husband is the grandson of the rcvo lu-
tionary patriot and rebel, Richard Henry
Lee, and the near kinsman Of the nobl-st o.
Christian Warriors the greatest of generals,
Robert f. Lee? Heavens blessing be upon
his head forever! You and your Govern
ment have failed TO conquer, ,subduc,or match
him and disappointed rage aud malice find
vent upon the helpless and inoffcnsYa.
Hycna like, you have torn my heart to
piec>s for all hallcweJ memories clustered
around that homestead-and, demon like,
you have done it without even the preteXt OF
revenge; for never saw or harmed you
Your cilice is not to lead, like brave man
soldier, your men to fight in the ranks 0
he war; but your work has been 70 separate
yourself from all danger, aad with you in
cendiary band, steal uaawares upon helpless
women and children, to insult and destroy
Two fair homes dd you yesterday lay in
ashes, giving not moments warning to tie
sta tlod inmates Of your wicked purpose
turning mothers and children out Of doors ;
your very name eXecrated by your own men
for the cEue! work you gave them to do,
In the case Of Mr.. A, r. Botcler. both faith,
cr and mother were far away. Any heart
but that Of Capt, Martinda!e (and yourS wo'd
have been touched by that little circle, com
prsin5 w,IDT, Just risen from her bed Of
illness, her three little atherless babes-the
eldest not five years old and her heroic sis =
ter, Ireicat, any man would have been
touched at that sight. But Capt, Mar,iudale
-one might as well hope to fad mercy and
feeling in tAe heart of woIf bent en- its prey
of young lambs, as to search for such quail
ties in his bosom, You have chosen well
your man for such deeds doubtless you will
promote him.
\ colonel Of the .ederal army has stated
that you deprived forty of your officers OF
their commands because they refuse to carry
out your malignant mischief All homer to
eheir names for this at least. They are men;
they have human hearts and blush for such
a commander.
/ ask who that does not wish inlamy and
disgrace attaches 10 him farever would
s2ryc under you? Your name will stand on
history's page as the Hunter Of weak wo-
men and innocent children the Hunter to
destroy lcfenceess villa ges and refined and
beautiful homes to torture afresh the ago
nized hearts of sIffering!widows; the Hunter
Of AfrIca'S poor sons and daughters, to lure
them on to ruiz and death of soul and bo-
dy: the Hunter with the relentless heart Of
a wild beast, tie face Of fend, and the
form-of man. Oh, Earth, behold the
monster,
Can say, "God forgive youT No pray.
er can be offered for you. Were it posi-
be far human lips to raise your name heav
onward, angels would thrust the foul thing
back again and demons claim their own. The
curse of thousands, the scorn of the manly
and upright, and the hatred of the true and
honorable, will follow you and yours through
all time, and brand your name, Infamy Infa-
my!
Again l dcmand, why have you burned my
house ? Answer, as you must answer before
the searcher Of all hearts, why you have add
ed this cruel, wicked deed to your many
crimes?
Butler called upon to dIsgorge.
During General Buffers late trip to New
Yerk, Samuel Smith and Andrew W. Smith