The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-06-17

the "lce House" hotel, the court house, all
the churches except the Catholic, number
of livery stab|es, and the entire front row OF
larEe md spiendid business houses. The
"IcesH fwas large brick hotel, which
must hal coss Vne hundred thousand 94kl
Lam, and Hss owned by Judge Arials
member 81 the late constitutional cow
ton. who Foted for immediate and uncm'
ditionaf euaueipation in Louisiana, whicn
convention also sent delegates to the balsssl
oreconyantion. While Judge A. Vas
thus serving the administration, the Fed
eral torch was applied to bis houses, bis la y
office, his % ivatss and law Library, and AL
his household goods and effects; all his prep
erty, be it remembered, had been protect
ed for three yesrs BY the confederates, who
all the tine knew the judges Union pro-
cliyities. Hundreds of other instances
might be cited of Uuion men who suffered
| in like manner. EFT uno jidice oaane.
The scenes attending the burning Of the
city are appalling. Women gathered their
belpless babes in their arms, rushing fam
ticslly through the streets with screams
and cries that would have melted the hard
est hearts to tesrs. Little boys and, girls
were running hither and thither crying tor
their mothers and fathers; old mon leaning
on staff for support TO their trembling
limbs. were hurrying away from the sutfo-
eating heat Of their burning dwelling
and homes. The fair and beautiful daugh
tiers of the South, whose fathers and broth
ers were in one army or the other; the trail
and helpless wives and children of absent
husbands and fathers were, almost in the
ltwinkling of an eye, driven from their burn
ling homes into the streets, leaving every
thing behind but the clothes they then
wore. Owing to the simultaneous burning
in every part of the city, the people found
no security in the streets, where the heat
was 40 intense as almost to create suffoca'
ton. Everybody rushed to the rivers edge,
being protected there from the heat by the
high banks of the river. The steamboats,
living at the landing were subjected togreat
, ANNOYANCE, the heat being so great that the
/ decks had to be flooded with water to pre-
, vent the boats from taking fire. Among
4. those who thus crowded the river bank
, were the wives, daughters and children,
4: HELPLESS and now all homeless, OF the Union
: men who had joined the Federal army
since the occupation of Alexandria. Their
, husbands had already been marched OF In
J lthe front toward Simmesport, leaving their
! families in their old homes, but to the ten.
der mercies of the Oonfederates. The Fed
eral torch had now destroyed their dwell
Sings, their household goods and apparel
the last morsel of provisions, and left them
!, starving and destitute. As might be ex-
pected they desired to 90 along with the
Federal army, where their husbands had
: gone. They applied to General Banks witt
tears and entreaties to DO allowed to g
aboard the transports. They were refused
They became frantic with excitement snt
, rage. Their screams and piteous cries were
heart-rending. With tears streaming dowI
s their cheeks women and children begged
land implored the boats to take the or
iboard. The officers of the boats were de
sirous of doing so, but there was the per
emptory order from General Banks not II
, allow any aOhite citizens to 60 aboard. A
rush would have been made upon the boats
;. but there stood the guard with fixed bayo
nets, and none could mount the stage planl
except they bore the special permit of thu
commanding general. Gould anything b.
! more inhuman and cruel2 But this is no
all. Gen. Banks found room on his trans
ports for six or seven thousand negroes tina
had been gathered in from the surrounding
: country! Cotton that had been loaded OIL
: transports to be shipped through the quar-
: termaster to New Orleans, under Banks
/ order, was thrown overheard to make room
] for negroes. But no room could be fount
for white women and children, whose hus
bands and brothers were in the Federal ar
nv, and whose houses had just been burn
ed by the Federal torchl 1 challenge the
records of all wars for acts Of such perfidy
aud cruelty. t...s.
But there is still another chapter in thi,
perfdious military and political campaign
Banks on arriving at Alexandra, told the
people that his occupation of tho country
was permanent. That he intended to pro-
tect all that would come forward and take
the oath of allegiance; while those wht
would not were threatened with Danish
ment and confscation of property. Hun
dreds came forward and took the oath. AT
election was held, and delegates were sent
to the constitutional convention then In
session in New Orleans. A recruiting Of
fee was opened, and over a thousand white
men were mustered into the United States
service. Quite number of permanent cit
liens of Alexandria took the oath, and were
promised protection. Their houses and
other property have now all been reduced
to ashes, and they turned out into the world
with nothing, absolutely nothing, save. the
amnesty oathl They could not now 90 to
the Confederates and apply for charity
They, too, applied to Gen. Banks to be
allowed to 60 aboard the transports and 90
Ito New Orleans. They soers refused in eosry
instaacei Among those who applied was q
Mr.. Parker. a lawyer, of feeble health, who
had been quite prominent making speeches,
since the Union occupation, in favor of