The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-19
From the Richmond Enquirer.
OUTRAGES OF BUTLER'S NEGRO
nROopC

T. we have recelveds1rem correspondent residing
In " Nestmoreland county, the following account OF
recent atrocities perpetrated by the Yankee negro
troops in that Department. Their recital is
enough to make the blood boil with Indignation:
ut seems that General Butler, about the 10th
OF las month issued ap order that the prisoners
and.troops at Point Lookout eh6uld be- fed from
the Northern Neck aud that portion of Essex H.
ing Immediately the Rappahannock, aud had
not been stripped by the enemy. In pursuance of
said order, the Second Massachusetts negro in
fantry, 100 strong, Col Draper, white man, COM
handing, with one hundred white cavalry; from
the NTH and second regulars, started for the North
ern Neck, landing at kinsale. -Four hundred ne
groes with white commissioned oficers} and fifty
white cavalry proceeded to Gevastate Westmore-
and county, destroying everything in their line Of
march.
Among others, the gallant Col Beae, 9th Vir-
ginia cavalry seemed to be object of particular
spite with them, tearing up everything, Shameful
ly abusing his family, taking off his corn, bacon
aud other provisions. Hon. Willoughby Newton,
near the Hague, was also great sufferer, losing
all his farming imp dement's; the negroes saying
they would have farms in Maryland and would
need them. They said when they came again they
would take everything Mr. Newton had; that they
had orders to come every week for a month or two,
to get all the growing crop Of wheat, &c
the Hague. Everything but his house was de-
stroyed. Mr.: Ben English, after having every
thing destroyed, was stripped, tied up and given
thirty nine lashes with the coWhide. And, more
horrible but only too true, twenty-five or thirty
ladies were violated by this party Of negroes. l
could give names, but deem it best not Neither
age color spared by these demons, who
were encouraged by their white officers. Is it
surely not time to raise the black flag
Tho IF no nil S1
white cavalry, under the immediate command Of
Col. Draper, marched to Richmoud county. On
the route six uegfoes violated the person of Mrs
u. eleven different times, she being the wife Of
brave soldier of the Ninth Virginia cavalry being
also sick at the time, with an infant six weeks old
at her breast. This is only instance out Of
twenty others Of like outrage. Mrs Dir. Belfed
whipped five negroes from her room thus hcroical-
Iy defending herself They plundercd everybody
Of every thing in their line. Of march With
large amount of plumber they succeeded in reach
lug unlOn wharf. They sent their pfUnder Gil
board their vessels. They then made preparation
TO proceed across the ccuntry to Heathvillc, Nor
thunber!aEd cUunty. a;ut the mtn of Richmond
county, il their rear had become aroused, and the
cry OF vengeance irom ruined women and dcso!ated
heartbstoues arose to the very heavens. Old men
and boys and even deserters and cOnseripts, with
such arms they could collect with few disa-
enbrough at their head, marched down towards
Union wharf determined on revenge. When they
arrived they found the Internal negroes at their
devilsh work, utterly destroying everything be-
longing Messrs. Pearson & Rock kwell, tying Mr.
Rockwell up and cowhiding him. But the hour
of rctrlhutiou was fast approaching. LieIt Col
Lewis, OF the Gth Virginia cavalry, being at home
in Lancaster, iurlough, with such men as he
could hastily collect, and few Of the Laucasie
cavalry, who happened to be in.ee county, beng
about 80 mounted men in all forming junction
with Colonel BrOckenbrough's command near
Upion wharf, on the morning of the 10th Joined
battle With the negro Yankees.
Colonels Brocker brough and Lewis having made
ed m:nds quietly awaited the charge Of the
enemy. Colonel Draper ordered one hundred ne
groes to make charge our men, which they
did, 10 plao,Jns, at double quick, with their guns
levcled. They fred sby patorns at our men with
the utmost cooness they heog out OF the range Of
shot guus The reserve, consisting OF two hun
drcd negroes, then ordered up As soon as
our men commenced firing, most IF the negroes
fell back. Colonel Draper placed himself at LIE
head Of the cavalry, but they were met with vol
ley which nIortally wounded Col. D. aud four
Eve others OF the cavalry. Col Lewis then order;
ed his cavalry to charge, which they did in most
gallant style, killing four negroes and several
Others ard capturing two Of the cavalry with their
horses and equipments. Our loss was four wound
ed, none i.ed-two being accidentally wounded
Let the people ofthe South remember " bat is to be
the fate of oar women if the yankees succeed