The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-12
Retaliation.

1t appears, from correspondents Attrr 70 the
Examiner, that the dwelling house Of the late Major
John Seldom burned by order OF Butler a. a
retaliation for the burning Of the dwelling of Mont
gomery Blair by men III Maryland. Mr.. scd-
don, the widow OF Major Seldom, with five very
young children, two of them very sick at the Time
WIS driven from her house in the night, barely
enough time being given to gather up small sup
ply of clothing for them. The deed was done by
putty OF men who up the RappaLannock III
three gunboats Oh the "a instant, and who left the
following order with the manager of the estate:
"AuGusr 2, 1864.
This property, which has frequently been IN
possession Of the Union forces, and always been
spccted, Il destroyed i'll retaliation for the de-
struction OF the property OF Hon Montgomery Blair
by the Confederate forces III their recent laid near
Washington City
by order of Major-Gelleral Butler"
1t appears that the Yankee Beast was untler} he
impression that the house belonged to Mr. Seldom,
the Secretary of War Of the Confederate Govern
ne-lt. The officer III command informed that it
did not belong to that gentleman but after con-
ference with his brother officers, he decided to submit
il IL the flames. The opportunity for plumber was
not to be lost and after the family had been hurried
out, the iends helped themselves freely-the free
hooters carrying of no small amount Of movable
things The band OF house-burncrs was composed of
Psansylcanaas lucky circumstance, under one
one Major Wheian, Of the Third Pennsy lvaIia. On
the occasion, Mis-. Seldom is said 20 have displayed
the true heroism of the Southern woman. Her
courage and calmness a,tonished the brItes who
to visit her with calamity She declared to
them 81 am glad to be accounted worthy to suffer
for the God permitted it, or Butler could not
harm me'
Had there been an unretaliated outrage commit
ted by Contedelates on Yankees-which there was
not-this blunder of burning the wrong house
should be ietaliated.
But the idea that there is any injury OF private
property by the Coniederates not yet retaliated is
absurd. The Confederates would have full years
work of plundering and burning before they could
be even with their cnemy-before they could retail
ate the immense devastation and plundeiing COM
mtted upon the property of Southern citizens Who
have they spared, and who do they spare Valu-
ables that are movable they never spare; and the
houses of public they spare, when they do only
Tor their own convenience that they may occupy
them and use them, for their comfort and often fur
their obscene orgies. Mr. Blair's house not fir
ished and not occupied. 1t was the house of tie
Postmaster-Gcneral of the United States-a man
who advocates the most ruthless and inhunan policy
for the invasion and subjugation OF the South In
retaliation the Yankees, by order of Beast Butler,
have burned the house of widow lady, turning her
and her infant children out Of doors in the night
time 1t is indeed, time for Confederaes to treasure
up somewhat OF the spirit Of revenge and this is one
case eminently worthy OF remembrance.