The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-21
DEPREDATIUNs OF THE ENEMY.
Correspondence of the Western Democrat.
MONROE, UNION COUNTY, N. e.,
March 18th 1865

March 18th, 1865. {
! Editor of the Western Democrat:
My Dear Sir:-I write to inform you and your
readers how those Jared who were SO unfortunate
as to be on the route or in the line Of Sherman in
his recent vandal march or raid through this
country: My plantation lies % miles S. E. of here
on the State line between Arson county and
Chesterfield District. The Yankees were there on
the LIST, I'd and Sd instant, robbing, burning and
destroying nearly everything that fell in their way
| They first took every horse aud mule l had, even
| to colt that never had been bridled; they took
all my negro men and boys that were able to ride,
(16 in number,) except one, who kept out of their
way. had killed fifty hogs at my plantation, the
meat of which was all there, except what my ne
groes had used; they took it all except about so
pieces that was hid out and two fat hogs they also
took My last years crop of corr rather scant,
though bad spared out of it 100 bushels to SOL
diers families to prevent starvation, and had left
for myself and family perhaps enough to do US
until harvest Those beartless wretches emptied
my crib, and am informed did not leave me more
than ,25 bushels. They burnt, fed away and
wasted, out of bountiful supply, every bundle of
fodder and oats had-tore down and burned
| about one thousand. panneis of my fence
/ had upwards of one hundred bales of cotton
I the most of it had made before the war-they
burnt it and the houses that contained it. My
| negroes, however, begged them for some to spin,
and they put out FIVE bales. L had sold the State
SO bales, which was in house with mine, aud it
shared the same fate. They knocked out the heads
of my molasses barrels, Several of Them, eat and
wasted my potatoes, both sweet and Irish; took my
tobacco; killed and eat my geese, chickens and
turkies; shot down of my cattle and hogs;
robbed my negroes of their money and "Sunday
clothes" broke up and burnt cotton cards; carried
my wa on and plough gears off, took several axes,
&C. &c. -.
This will give you an idea of how the people
generally Jared, where Sherman and his vandals
went. In South Carolina, near my plantation, /
hear of more dwelling houses being burnt than in
North Carolina, though they burnt some in Arson
near my farm, and in instances, corn cribs
Gin houses they generally burned, but for some
cause they did not burn mine-my negroes claim
to have saved it, and [ am inclined to think it
is so.
Many families in that section (and I suppose it
is SO all along the ne) now almost destitute Of
any thing to subsist upon. The prospect is gloomy
indeed starvation is looking sternly in the face,
but God has always provided for U.s. and l believe
He will still take of all who love and
Him. IT'S true He has permitted US to be scourged,
and doubtless for our benefit, and it may be in
eternity will praise God for bringing these af
fctons upon us, to wean US from the world, and
to humble US before Him, whom We have been too
much inclined to forget.
My negroes have all returned out 1ouf. near
of some plantations where only one or two out of
dozen have returned. One of the four of mine
that is missing, boy by the name of Sam, only IA
years of age know would come back if he could.
mention this with the hope that may get him
| again.
Only squad of Kilpatricks robbers came to
this place (Monroe). had two carbines presented
by them at my bosom at one time. They presented
their guns at the breast of my innocent wife and
defenccless daughter, demanded gold and silver,
threatened to shoot Us and burn our house. They
got my wife's gold watch.
And now, Mr. Editor, is this the way to coax us
back into the Union? Can We commune and
be on fraternal terms with such wicked and vile
wretches? l think not
May God help us and take care Of us, and pro-
vide some way of escape from such demons.
Truly yours,
d. A COVINGTON