The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-24

dred bushels of wheat, belonging to pri-
vate persons, were found and taken pos
session of. At night the farms around
Charlottesville were covered with cavalry,
presenting a, sad picture to the eyes of
our citizens. In town quiet prevailed dur
ing the night, except the noise of passing
troops as new detachments arrived. Out
of the town depredations and thieving were
carried on at all places where the occu-
pants had failed to procure private guards,
which had been given to all who requested
it. On Saturday morning, in the outskirts
of the town, disorder began to prevail,
stores broken open and robbed, private
houses entered and searched. But these
were stopped by the orders and interfe-
renee of officers; and during the stay of
the army the discipline was rigid and Sc
we're, and very little damage was done,
and private houses were free from inter-
ruption by soldiers; and, where private
guards were given, no soldier dare enter
the house without special written per-
mission from general headquarters.
The farmers, however, were not pro-
tected in their property and provisions;
everything eatable for man and beast were
consumed, and acts of atrocity and mean
ness were committed. Threats of ven
geance were made ladies, in order to get
their watches; the wretohes held pistols
to their heads to intimidate them and COM
pei them to give up their property. These
and similar acts were done for ten miles
east of Charlottesville, as far down as the
f0
robbing parties were sent out in all direc-
tons on Saturday and Sunday, p1under-
ing as they went. The slaves were not
exempt from their plunderings Whenever
one had any gold or silver it was sure to
be stolen by these pretended negro-wor-
shippers. On Saturday and Sunday all
the able-bodied negro men were pressed
into the Yankee service to destroy the
iron railroad bridges, and on Sunday eve
ming the wood trestlework of these bridges
was burned, and they are now heap of
ruins. The county free bridge was burnt
on Monday morning. Monticello would
have been burned had not the wife of the
present occupant been sick. The vandals
threatened to destroy it on theirnext visit.
A raiding party that went down to within
two miles of the Hon. W. @. Rives' threat
ened to burn his house also.
Grain, forage, provisions and horses were
taken off tie farms, in some instances
leaving not a particle to feed the cattle
with; yet generally the hogs, cows, oxen,
sheep and fowls were not disturbed. In
some few instances beef or sheep was
killed, but none were wontonly bestowed.
On Friday night the factory of Mr.. Mar
chant was destroyed. On Monday that of
Mr.. Flanagan was also destroyed, and all
the factories within reach shared SINH
lar fate.
On Sunday evening some of the Yankee
army determined to publish paper, and
went to the Chronicle Office to effect their
design; but portions of the press had been
removed with the type, and they were
unable to do so. They then took posses.
sion Of the Jetersonian Office, and COM
menced operations, and after progressing
for awhile suddenly quit, saying they might
resume their object next day; but orders
had been issued to move off by six O'Clock
next day, and no further operations for
the issue of their paper were resumed.
Inclosed I send copy of such articles as
were left in type by the Yankees. No
damage was done to the type or fixtures
of either of the printing Offices in the
place.
On Monday morning, soon after light,
the drums were heard, and the troops were
seen marching down the main street,
evacuating the town. Large numbers of
negroes mounted on stolen horses were
seen going off with the Yankees; women
with little children in their arms seemed
as eager to be off as the men.
While the Yankee army was in Char
lottesville they circulated reports that
Lynchburg was captured, Richmond evacu-
ated, &c.; but none but weak-headed and
weakened persons gave credence to such
stories. They said there were fifteen
thousand cavalry with them; but five
thousand will cover all they had. Gems.
Sheridan, Gustav, Merritt, and Forsyth
were with the invaders. If there were
other generals ! have not heard their
names
On leaving the town they separated into
four columns, taking as many different
directions. One of the columns went to
Scottsville, destroying the factory there
and the canal.
Yours, MONTICELLO.
General orders, just issued, declare
that the War Department will not here