The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-07-14
From tie Petersburg Ne,Us, June 10.
The Alleged Indictment of Gen. Lee.

John G. Underwood, an itinerant
scboolmaster from Northern State, set
tied many years ago in the county of
Fairfax, Virginia, took charge of coun.
try school, and began in modest way to
correct the ignorance of this benighted
State. In the course of time he married
very worthy lady of that county, and
obtained, through her connection, large
and useful acquaintauceship in that re-
gion, which he improved financially and
otherwise. His sentiments ON the sub
ject Of slavery we're obnoxious to the peo-
pie, and, therefore, modestly concealed,
until an opportunity Of their safe expos;-
ton was afforded, as he thought, at the
time of the Fremont campaign we believe,
when in midst of few fishermen, he raised
apole at Oocoquan bearing flag inscribed
with the name of the Abolition candidate
for the Presidency. This was more than
bis noighbors felt like enduring, and I'm
derwood was forced to leave to avoid sharp.
castigation than he had been wont to in
hict on the rising heirs of Fairfax.
During the war he was appointed to
judgeship-wby,we cannot conceive; pro-
baby on the ground that as there was moth
ing to be done, he could do no harm but
the conclusion of peace leaves him the high
est judicial officer in the Eastern District
Virginia and the first official function of
a public nature which he discharges on
the return of peace, is to launch against
citizen of the State, the latchets of whose
shoes he is unworthy to loose, a procama.
ton which, for violence, blasphemy and
unfounded aspersion of brave and chival-
rous people, beggars imagery and defes
comparison. as.' '',a.u, o..
No sooner had this charge been issued
than its object was unfolded in tho sum-
moning of cloud of witnesses before the
grand jury, in order to base on their evil
dence an indictment against Gen. Lee
Gen. Grant could afford, not only to
pardon Gen. Lee, but to exhaust the ETH
quette Of conventional respect in all his
intercourse with him. The great Army of
the Potoma could doff their hats with the
involuntary homage of the soldiers to
genius, courage and chivalry, as the old
leader Of the Army of Northern Virginia
passes their lines after his surrender. The
Northern visitors could vie with the resi-
dents and natives of Richmond in paying
him the most touching marks of respect as
he wcnded his way to his home through
the streets of our capital.
The stalwart heroes of Sherman could
break out into cheers, not of insult, but
Of appreciation as they passed his door in
their triumphal march.
The Government at Washington, which
has thought proper to arrest Governors and
ex-Governors, commissioners and Con-
gressmen, bureau chiefs and blockade-run-
ners, presidents and preachers, has not laid
the weight of finger, Or threat, on the
man to whom Gen. Grant has given his SOL
dier.word for safeguard. No, the foul decd
was left for the congenial performance of
an imported Judge, who after maligning the
State whose people gave him bread in his
poverty and consequence in his obscurity,
summons these people to aid him in hunt
ing to his death their most eminent fellow
citizen.
We are glad to say, for the honor of the
American people of all States and sections,
that no word has been heard in any quarter
of sympathy in the prosecution, and we
learn from private sources that so great is
the indignation among all classes in Norfolk
at this attempt to stain their city with
SO foul q, crime, that the friends of General
Lee have no apprehension Of any unpleas-
ant results from this bulletin of persecu-
ton from the pole-raiser of Occoquan.