The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-28
eEsERAL HrNTER,s eAMPAIay.

D
ded, even at this late hour. to lay before
your readers some Of the incidents con
nected with the triumphant entry into
stanton of United States troops for
the first time since the commencement
Of the war
Fremont and Banks had both, in
turn, attempted the capture of Staun-
ton, but neither had been able to adj
vance further up the valley than Har-
risontown.
Hunters brilliant victory at Pied
mont on the 9Th, efectually cleared
the road Of all rebels in his front as far
as Staunton, and his march into that
place on the following day was undis-
puted.
Our advance reached the city about
/ y o'clock, m, and the frat object OF
/ interest that presented itself was the
State Lunatic Asylum, very large and
commcdious building, constructed with
all modern Improvements, and contain
ing about 300 patients. Your cores
pendent is with the advanced guard,
and was hailed by number Of coloTed
people, servants belonging to the Asy-
iuin, who had congregated outside of
the main entrance on the roadside to
welcome the Yankees, and give them
some valuable information as to where
the bank funds and cloth from the Gov
eminent factories were concealed.
The superintendent Of the Asylum,
evidently afraid of the disclosures
which his loyal servants might make,
having IN vain coaxed and begged Of
them to return inside of the building,
away from 'the brutal eyes Of the Yam
KEGS" had proceeded to threaten them
with the cells if they did not immedi-
ately comply with his commands.
1t was at this iuncture that your cor
respondent arrived and on the facts
being made known to him, he immedi-
atelY informed them that although
heretofore slaves, they were now free,
and were at liberty to either 60 or stay,
just as they pleased.
This announcement was received
with great Joy. obey know'd when the
Yankees com'd dey all be free" was
the general exclamation as they press
ed close up and around to whisper the
information, giving exact places in the
cellars and garrets of the Asylum
where the Government cloth and bank
funds were hid away.
After getting a guard for their pro
lection, your correspondent went to
Gen. Hunters headquarters and in
formed him of the discovery
The Provost Marshal, Major Harkins,
was ordered to search the place thor
oughly, which he did, and discovered
Government property to the value Of
100000, consisting principally of rebel
uniforms ready-made, and cloth Of the
army pattern, which had been secreted
the evening previous, when they learn
ed of their defeat at Piedmont and of
our onward march to Staunton.
On the opposite side Of the road and
not far distant from the Lunatic Asy-
lum is large building, formerly known
as the Blind Asylum, but latterly press
ed into the Confederate service for use
as a Government hospital Here we
found All patients and surgeons, who
were duly paroled by Captain Bier, A.
A. G. The hospital is kept in excellent
order, and the patients seem to have
everything which can either promote
their recovery or alleviate their suffer
ings The patients were principally |
from Lees army, and spoke quite hope |
fully of their cause, Notwithstanding |
their recent defeats.
Stanton was once famous for its fe |
male seminaries, but the tide of war !
which is rolling over the land is even |
reaching the fountaia of education;
and to-day, out of four large and -four
ishing schools, but one remains, and |
that is inditferently patronized Pa |
rents are afraid to and will not send |
their children away from home.
The railroad buildings at Staunton !
were very extensive, and contained
amount of stores which, |
in their hurry TO escape, they left un
injured to our use.
We captured large quantity Of but
ter and eggs, together with eommissary |
stores, which were served out 10 the
Detachments were sent out, up and /
down the track, to tear up and destroy
the rails and tress' g work, and blow up
the culverts while others set fire to the /
railroad buildings and government fac. |
tories which contained large amount |
of valuable machinery.
The inhabitants now became Terribly |
and expected we we're going /
to burn up the whole town. About |
this time your correspondent was stand
ing close TO General Hunter, witnessing |
the destruction of the railroad property, |
when 9 lady approached the General, !
and with tears in her eyes informed /
him that her house, with several others, /
which were constructed Of wood; was I
ioined close to the Confederate Boot |
and Shoe Factory, and our men were /
about to burn it, and unless he (Gen. /
Hunter) interfsred, the property of /
q innocent people" would be destroyed, \
and great many families rendered |
homeless. General Hunter gave orders (
to destroy the machinery, but prevent /
the buildings from being burned, if it |
the private property in the /
On arriving st the factory, /
your. correspondent was met by an ex.
cited crowd of women, who eagerly in
quired if the factory was to be burned. I
l'hey were informed that If al the /
property in the factory was destroyed /
and broken up Sc as to be useless, the I
building would be saved /
IL was q sight never to be forgotten, /
to see those women, some running for I
their friends and relatives to assist, /
while Others Immediately engaged in I
the task of breaking the machinery /
with hammers and axes. IN less than /
an hour the factory with its machinery, /
was completely broken and destroyed I
The value Of the property destroyed I
at Staunton has been variOusly estima- I
ted at from three 70 seven millions, /
five millions would be as cor i
rect an estimate as it is possible to /
make, but the people of Stanton and /
the rebel Government at Richmond 4
have suffered sufficiently to remember /
for some time to come, Hunters cap /
ture of Staunton.
Rebel DeserteFs-TAree Companies Of
the 5lth Virginia Surrender Them
selves.
Capt McFerrin and two heutenants, /
each commanding a company in the I
54th Virginia rebel infantry, on Mon +
= l. 4 4 IL Z !